The Coyote Two Moon 100 was a heater down in Ojai, California. Temps topped out at 85F on the sunbaked climbs up to the Ojai Ridge. The other round ball rose early and brought the temps down to 35F in the valleys making it a huge contrast in temperatures. I had a stellar run passing through halfway in 8:45 and cruising to the finish in 19:24. I’m not sure what my final time will be as I had at least 30 bonus minutes for participating in the pre-race activities. Dean Dobberteen led the bowlers with a 206, I rolled a modest 168. Dean was on my team as we won the bowling match. Andy Jones-Wilkins and Justin Angle ran the “fun run” together and finished with a 23:44 for 2nd and 3rd, giving my “win” a margin of 4:20. Betsy Nye took the women’s run, just barely chicking Roch Horton.
Chris Scott puts on an incredible week of events. The easter bunny was also spotted up on the ridge at the Gridley Top aid station…good thing the Coyote’s didn’t get him.
And one more stat, this was the first 100 Iran in LaSportiva Fireblades…I haveNO blisters, or foot issues to speak of. Check outthis review, I agree100 percent! And BC.com carries them!
Next bit of info will be the AT itinerary. I’ll have that posted on April 1st. BC.com is driving the bus on this one. It certainly will be quite an adventure! Stay tuned for more info on this.
And don’t forget the 15% discount at BC.com. Use the coupon code 2JV-1-QJE3H to get 15% on almost everything they sell. Lots of great deals all the time!
My next odds race will be Leona Divide and the McNaughton 100 coming in a few weeks.
The Dos Lunas 100, in a staggered start, (fast guys go last) will kick off Friday evening near Ojai California. It’ll be a heater as the Southern California sun warns us summer is coming. This race is not only a race, but a party, it all starts with an evening of bowling. We’ll see if I can roll one high and gain some valuable minutes! I’m bringin’ the ball!
Odds?
Meltzer 4-1. Gotta pick myself,I felt great 3 weeks ago in Southern Cali, I like the pressure!
Koerner 5-1.I’ll keep his mind on that goat award, and throw him off.
Andy Jones-Wilkins7-1. Someone toldme he’s pretty fast
Ishikawa 8-1. All the way from Japan, so he must be ready, has the potential to win
Zach Grossman 10-1. Not sure, but has run fast times, his climbing will be the question
Justin Angle, David Goggins, and Whit Rambach all get 13-1. Just a step off the leaders pace, we’ll see if they hang!
Eric Clifton 20-1. We all knowhe will lead the first 20, what happens after that isa mystery. When he nails it, he usually makes bank.
Women’sOdds?
Betsy Nye 2-1. With her Hardrock experience, the climbs will be easy for her
Kerry Owens and Linda McFadden should follow, we’ll give em’ both 10-1
Speedgoat of the Year award will be handed over to Hal Koerner before the race starts, we’ll have some classic photos of Hal’s new store addition. Let’s hope my dog binger doesn’t eat that goathead for lunch!
Time to start howling!
Bryan Dayton dropped down to sea level from Boulder, Colorado, to take theChuckanut 50K! It was a hot race in benign race conditions, and along with theWay Too Cool 50K, a highly competitive race. Peter Ellis wins the “Mystery Man” award for running second and not being on the entrants list. Scott Jurek, only 7 days from his strong run at WTC, finished 3rd andkept Brian Morrison off his heelsas I expected. Darin Bentley finished 5th only 4 minutes back of Chuckanut Champ Bryan Dayton.
Devon Crosby-Helms kept me in check with the odds winning by a scant 4 minutes over past winner Kathleen Harri. Anne Theissen slipped into third, two minutes behind Harri. We might say Ultrarunning is becoming more and more competitive, eh?
Full Results found here: Chuckanut Results
The Speedgoat 50k will officially have a new loop added at the bottom of Mineral Basin, making the climb back to the peak a mere 3400′ vertical, on what I call, “Goat Trails”! Cheers to Snowbird Ski Resort for making this happen! Now we have some runnable terrain…yah right!
Utah Ultrarunning Camp still taking signups, get the crash course in Mountain Ultrarunning! Info above under my fabulous picture.
Hugs and kisses to Backcountry.com for putting their foot forwardwith my “Appalachian Trail Assault” plans.They’ll be helping with logistics, tracking, podcast, live on-trail video, and a potential documentary on the wholeadventure. Use coupon code;2JV-1-QJE3H to recieve 15% off on almost everything they sell, or click the logo for the same deal!
March 15th on Chuckanut Mountain 350 runners toe the line for the fast, flat start, then will enjoy trail for 19 miles. The final 6 are a fast flat finish!
Mens Race
Scott Jurek 3-1. His fast Way Too Cool time tells us he’s in shape even with only one week recovery
Brian Morrison 7-2. Right on Scott’s heels, and still has the power to squeak by Scott if he has a good day.
Ryne Melcher 7-1. Fast times all around in the past and should hang close behind
Matt Simms, Josh Mulkey, Bryan Dayton and Sam Thompson should round out the top 7! These Four guys’ odds are all 12-1
Womens Race
Devon Crosby-Helms 2-1. Hands down the fastest in the field, should prevail with ease
Kathleen Harri 5-1.Previous winner has her hands full but won’t be far behind
Alison Hanks 10-1. Local Speedster, and should be challenged by other local speedster…
Erika Daligcon also at 10-1 for the “show” position.
Let’s not forget Anne Theissen, former RD’s pick to “show”.
These odds are by no means intended to be used for illegal betting purposes!
Check out the Utah Ultrarunning Camp on July 9-13, with Meltzer, Kimball and Torrence for the crash course in efficient Ultrarunning techniques. Click “Camp” on top of page for details.
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We were missing a few of the mens’top seeds on the starting line, but nonetheless the competition was fierce at the front. Without Carpenter and Burell, Erik Skaggs led the odds list when the line was toed, but Todd Braje was the first to toe the finish line with a 3:32.12! Six runners finished under 3:40, making it one of the most exciting WTC races ever.
I may have not predicted the mens winner, but, Susannah Beck kept my race predictions honest…and breaking the legendary Ann Trason’s record by almost 4 minutes! Susannah has made here mark on the Ultra scene with her second win in a few weeks. Only 24 men avoided getting “chicked” with Susannnah’s time of 3:55.22! Bev Abbs and Joelle Vaught both had stellar performances as well running 4:07.08 and 4:10.14 respectively.
Results: http://www.capitalroadrace.com/results/08_WTC_OVL.HTM
This race will hands down be the most competitive 50k so far this year with at least 4 runners with the ability to go under 3:30 on the rolling singletrack. Ulli Steidl’s record will remain safe at 3:18+, (in my opinion) but the Cool Champion will be close. I predict a 3:24.20 for the men! And a slick 4:01.18 for the women, narrowly missing Ann Trason’s record.Trason’s 3:59 could be in danger!
Mens Race
Matt Carpenter 5-2. He is the man, but his hands are full
Galen Burrell 4-1. Sub 4 at Pikes Peak Multiple times
Erik Skaggs4-1. 50k is his distance, and has the speed to compete
Rich Hanna 5-1. Former WTC record holder at 3:31 ish,fast marathoner
Bradley Mongold 7-1.Narrowly missed record last month at Holiday Lake
Lewis Taylor 8-1. Won it last year in 3:41
Scott Jurek 8-1. 3:30 potential but not a focus race
Eric Grossman 9-1. Has the speed to go under 3:40, rarely has a bad day
Hal Koerner 10-1. If he feels good, he can hang with the best of em’
Erik Skaden 10-1. Experience on these trails keeps him in the top 10
Dan Olmstead 12-1. Fast McKenzie River last year puts him in the mix
Jeremy Redding 13-1. Kind of a mystery man, my mystery pick
Thomas Reiss 15-1. Great season last year with 4 wins and fast times
And the rest of the men:Scott Wolfe, Jed Tukman, Ian Torrence, Sean Meissner, Guillermo Medina, AJW, Scott Jaime, Graham Cooper, Jeff Browning, Alan Abbs.
Western States doesn’t have a field this tight!
Womens Race:
Susannah Beck3-1. Very convincing win in Moab in February, sick speed!
Nikki Kimball 4-1. She’ll hang with Suzanna but turnover will prevail
Beverly Abbs 6-1. Not quite enough speed but won’t be far behind
Annette Bednosky 7-1. Sneaky fast, less than 12 minutes back
Joelle Vaught 12-1. Speedgoat 50kstar, but no mountains here
Helen Cospolich 13-1. Another great climber, Goat Hill isn’t enough
Meghan Arboghast 20-1. Needs the rest to crash hard
Caren Spore 20-1. Needs the rest to crash hard
Jenny Capel 20-1. Ditto
