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
I like those odds, Karl, thanks for the vote of confidence! On the men’s side, my vote’s for the defending champ– go Eugene!
Are there still any tickets floating about to watch this event? Maybe I’ll see if there are any scalpers loitering around Hwy 49 trying to part with a pair. …
Glen Redpath won’t be there–he ran Caumsett Park this past weekend (tho so did AJW), and he’ll be busy attending my wife’s 40th birthday party. Talk about way too cool. …
We’ll remove Glen from the odds, thanks Brennan. There will be open seating at this years race and tickets are free, you just have to get there. I wish I could attend as well. I am focused more on that Two Moon race in a few weeks!
Women:
1. Beck
2. Abbs
3. Kimball
Men:
1. Carpenter
2. Burell
2. Skaggs
Women: 1)Beck 2) Kimball 3) Abbs
Men: SKAGGS (3:19:5x)
Carpenter ain’t runnin’ and Galen is/has been hurt.
Is Scott really in? He is not in the list published on Stan’s website:
http://www.run100s.com/WTC/wtc08.txt
Jean.
Maaaaaan, you’re all killing me! A shame Matt is not running, we all hope it’s not cuz’ of an injury. Hanna could give Skaggs a run for it at this point. Grapevine talk about Scott, he might be there. The womens race will be the one to watch! We’ll keep the odds list posted without changes….just in case. -Speedgoat Karl
my money is on skaggs and kimball
Results:
http://www.capitalroadrace.com/results/08_WTC_OVL.HTM
I normally don’t take the time to post comments, however it is hard to find real infomation on this subject today. You did a great job in this post and I am going to take the time to read the rest of your blog. Keep up the good work!