Now that Kyle is asleep……………..
Let’s sit back and watch Diana Finkel finish tough, and give Krissy’s record a shot! I don’t think she’ll get it by 3 freakin’ hours but she’s got a chance to take home the cake, unless Kyle already ate that too!
Congrats Kyle, you are the man now!
And after briefly looking at Kyle’s split from Cunningham, the record is soft as his split from that last aid station is NOT the fastest (nor was mine)…..of course Kyle was likely barefoot as he “blew out his shoes”.
Grouse Gulch Aid #8
I guess the race is for 2nd, and it’s a good one, this could be the year more than 3 break 30. Jared, Scott and Glenn have a good run at sub 28!
Diana Finkel still rolling, showing that altitude is not a factor, she too, has a chance at taking Krissy’s record down
Someone cutting corners out there?…..yah right! Damn it’s fast!
Ouray Aid #6
Well the boy is flying, the only hope I have left? Will he run a faster split from Sherman in? probably.
The race for second is awesome right now. Jared is starting to gap the group, his 20,000′ vertical days are paying off!
And Diana Finkel is kicking some arse, showing off on her Leadville speed
Telluride Aid #3
Skaggs is now 1:18 ahead of record pace, will he turn around and run the second half backwards? Give me a chance to keep the clockwise record. Shall I predict that the Pole Creek and Maggie aid stations will be sound asleep…..hopefully that’s not the case. Go Kyle! He’s flying, we’ll see if it continues.
Aid #1 Kamm Traverse, Mile 12
AT Kamm Traverse,(mile 12)it looks like Kyle has thefastest split ever, according to my records, the year I ran 26:39 my split there was 2:52! Kyle ran by in 2:19…AdvantageSkaggs by 33 minutes!
Roch Hortonmaking an early run at it in 2:35, with Jared Campbell with the smartest start at 2:33. All the other boys are still in there quickly under 2:40-2:50.
Diana Finkel (Leadville winner), and Kim Holak (Bear Winner), both Hardrock rookies, have the early lead. Betsy and Betsy are lurking behind. A true look at experience.
I’ll be back after Telluride and perhaps Chapman for another race update!
Check outthis year’s odds below
The Hardrock 100 promises to be exciting,not necessarily who will likely win, but what will the time be? That is the question this week. The race for second should be the spectators delight. A battle of the Betsy’s part 8 will be the women’s race.
The Men:
Kyle Skaggs 1-2. That’s right 1-2, he lives there, knows it, and is the fastest kid around, and although young to some standards, Kyle has mature experience….he’ll be gone at the first water crossing, and never look back. And the record will fall if snow doesn’t protect it. Jared Campbell 3-1. Anything happens to Kyle, Jared is the man, he’sextra strong right now and a veteran at Hardrock, he just has to go out a little faster. Potential to go under 28 hours. Ricky Denesik 4-1. Previous Hardrock winner, made a little mistake last year early, butthis year he probably has a better gameplan…..sub 30 easy. Paul Sweeney 4-1. Another previous winner, always a strong finisher, he could be the sleeper if he doesn’tnap Kevin Schilling 7-1. Has what it takes on a good day, he’s been running hard and should be ready to go sub 30 too! Kieth Knipling 7-1. If altitude doesn’t slow him down, his technical running skills could bring him in top 5 and another sub 30 time. Scott Jaime 8-1. If hebrings some of his shorter racespeed, he could run top 5. Kirk Apt 13-1. He’s slipped in there before, and a sub30 to his credit. James Varner 14-1. How can we forget Varner, master of technical terrain. Thomas Schnitzius 41-1. German name keeps him on the list Others: Sean Andrish, Scott Eppleman, Roch Horton, and Paul Hopwood.The women:
Betsy Kalmeyer 3-1. Multi winner at Hardrock, always in it, comes out on top here more often than not. I think 4 wins, maybe 5. She gets the nod. Betsy Nye 7-2. It’ll be the battle of the Betsy’s again, if she can finish strong, she’ll have the best chance at coming out on top. Diana Finkel 9-1. Won Leadville a few years ago, with an impressive time. Altitude shouldn’t hurt her much, but this ain’t no Leadville, there are big hills at Hardrock. Kim Holak 12-1. She’sgot the speed, but a rookie at Hardrock has a slight disadvantage at this big dance. Kathy D’Onofrio 20-1. She’ll do real well if sheholds back early, she has a tendancy to go out too fast, and this course is not made for that! And the BADWATER 135, pavement…ouch! The men: Jorge Pacheco 4-1. Moeben is a new sponsor of the event, so why not have a Moeben runner win it. It’s Jorge’s turn, if he can hold back early. He tends to go out a little fast…bad idea in the heat. David Goggins 5-1. He’s been getting faster and faster, and will play it smart, it’s time he finally busts one out…..and he’s more rested than any time last year. Akos Konya 5-1. The road is his friend, and no rookie here, runs well in the heat. Dean Karnazes 8-1. Makes it look easy to run top 5, off to the next desert he goes. Charlie Engle 12-1. Sube 30 before, so he’s not out of it. The women: Monica Scholz 3-1. It’s her race, she just roll through as always, not a record but solid. Shanna Armstrong 7-1. I loaded her ipod, so she has a chance. Strong triathlete, wins regularly, but can she run 135? Pam Reed11-1. She’ll get it done and round out top 3. In other news The whereskarl RV was part of the Park City Parade on the 4th. I sat on the hood like a celebrity waving like a rockstar to 10,000 parade goers. PBR and bagels for breakfast made it just right. Thanks Backcountry.com! For the Speedgoat 50K, registrations must be postmarked by July 15 oryou lose a chance to run with some 150 other goats through Snowbird’s killer singletrack.
Click the goat for 15% off at Backcountry.com on almost everything they sell
I agree. It will be a battle for the 2 spot. Lucky enough to witness the race last year. Definitely keep an eye or two on Scott “Fast Eddy” Jaime. Has had great results this year and has been down there since July 1.
At Badwater, Goggins has been training hard and I think its his year. For the women, take a look at Lisa Smith-Batchens feat http://www.lisas810.com.
Good luck at the AT and I look forward to SpeedGoat!
Aric
For Hardrock ladies, don’t count out Jaime Donaldson. She’s primed for a win this year.
I agree with Dan, Jamie Donaldson is the girl to beat at Badwater. This year she has already won 5 races, with two course records, and two 100 mile times in the low 16 hours! I also think that it is Akoss year at BW
Where are Jurek and Moehl? I thought both of them were going to try to defend their titles.
Last year’s Hardrock showdown between the Speedgoat and Jurek was epic–the 100 of the year. It looked like Western States was going to provide a little of that excitement this year, and then, with Karl focusing on the AT Assault, the Skaggs vs. Jurek showdown at Hardrock was one to watch. Such a bummer for ultra fans to see Jurek out.
He’s keeping a low profile this year it seems. Anyone know his racing plans–Spartathalon focus again?
Think we’ll ever have a Krupicka vs. Skaggs where they’re both running for the win? Trail running is not about winning races (certainly not for me :), but it is great fun to see you big guns push it out front and knock down records.
i say skaggs and donaldson win.
If Skaggs can break the record with that much snow still there, that would definitely be the performance of the year! Hell, they might even put him on the cover of Ultrarunning since Scott is not running and the editors can’t find a reason yet this year to fill the “at least one cover a year” quota they have apparently bestowed upon him. Imagine that, Hardrock winner on the cover of Ultra running! Gee Karl, if you break the AT record they “might” give you your first cover? Na,they find a way to screw ya. I’ll pick Nye for the women since she’s a friend. Although I believe she told me in May that this year her primary goal was not to die out there on the ice at night.
Sharpen your crampons! It might be about who has the best glissading technique!
Certain areas of Hardrock will be much faster on the descents, I can recall the first year I ran Hardrock when I slid down Virginius pass and got to Governor Basin in 23 minutes. If Kyle uses the snow to his advantage, he’ll be fast. It really depends on the climbing sections that have snow. Remember he is chasing 26:39, not 26:08 as this year is the clockwise direction.
It would be great to see Kyle and Anton race each other, I think they like to “pace” each other to records….slightly assisted (which is OK), but within the race rules so it is a fair test.
Jurek is running at the Tour Du Mont Blanc again, he will likely focus on it and kill it there, when I return next year I would imagine I’ll be running to try and match Scott’s performance. When Scott focuses, he’s hard to touch. I hope he dominates Mt. Blanc!
Karl-
I agree with you on your hardrock odds. I think your badwater picks need a little work. On the mens side I think that Akos should be the favorite. He has been runner-up two year in a row and should be able to pull out a win this year. On the Womens side you are missing the two top runners. I think Jamie Donaldson will win the womens race in a new coarse record. Jen Seggar should be distant 2nd but well ahead of your picks.
Scott does seem to be the master @ peaking for a specific race. Well, there goes your cover shot! Maybe if you wear an ace bandage on one knee and cotton “tube” socks, they might not recognize you and put you on the cover as “the common runner”?
I’ll never get the cover, I would have to be some guy in the background. However, I may get a cover on Trailrunner, that would be a start! More than likely I see Scott’s cover shot in the November issue.
The photo of you with the propellor head from Coyote should have been on the June cover. Bummer it wasn’t.
I like Skaggs and Betsy Nye at Hardrock and Konya and Donaldson at Badwater. Going out on a limb, I think all the course records are safe this year.
AJW (all tapered up for Vermont!)
Definitely include Jaime D. in the women’s BW contenders list. She has had an exceptional 2008 and is ready for BW. I think Andy’s statement as to course records is dead on.
I think it’s Pacheco’s turn at BW. He was cruising ahead of Konya and Valmir Nunez last year but sizzled in the heat. This year he’ll pace it better. Hardrock record will fall, KSkagg will run in 25 hours and change, pushed by AKrup. Marco Olmo will beat ScottieJ again this year at Blanc, cause he will be 60 years old and will want to win in his new age group.
I;m a Jorge fan too, I think it’s his turn for sure.
Skaggs is certainly ready to crush the record, only snow will hold him back….or propell him forward, it may actually help him to have snow in place, he’ll sit on his ass and slide down 2000′, alot faster than running, even for him. He probably knows that course better than I do, and he’ll have a person help light his way at night, I didn’t. I wandered around Pole Creek off trail for a while when I ran 26:39, that extra person looking for markers (if needed) will assist Kyle.
Jurek will crush Olmo, Marco has no chance when Scott is ready, and the record will fall. The UTMB record is still soft right now, sub 20 is very much doable.
Kyle is my favorite for Hardrock. If he gets through save, he will crush the record.
And I guess Betsy will win the womens race. Not sure which one :-)Kalmeyer or Nye.
Can’t wait to get down to Silverton
Markus
mmmm nothing like a six pack of the blue ribbon.
Go Kim! She is tough as nails. Upper Midwest
Karl,
You totally overlooked James Varner in the mix. If he goes out slow, I have him in the top 5, maybe top 3.
all of you will be surprised but shouldn’t be when the guy who signs off on all Sierra summit registers as a resident of the ‘Great Basin Ecoregion’ and who occasionally races under the moniker A’a'pu (Hawaiian for ‘to the mountains’) takes a podium spot…i’m betting on silver
And for the “Horse Superbowl”
http://www.auburnjournal.com/detail/88386.html
http://www.auburnjournal.com/detail/88384.html
http://www.auburnjournal.com/detail/88374.html
Looks like Hardrock updates are funky, it now shows Jared through KT at 10:22 and earlyer it showed him going through at 9:33. I’m guessing he went through Chapman at 10:22.
Before the start, Kyle was reported to be “Super relaxed, strong and confident; not overconfident, just knows what he can do.” He was 20′ ahead leaving town!
Scott reportedly dropped out due to conditions, saying, “If I wanted to run on snow, I’d just go skiing.” Like Karl, I’d like to see him show the Euro’s what a top American can do at UTMB (except for Nikki Kimball, who rocked, last year was not a good one for US men).
OTOH, Jared (currently in 2nd at HR100, and also entered in the UTMB) is much slower than Kyle but absurdly strong, and loves snow (or anything technical … he sport climbs 5.13). He wrote yesterday:
“I’m psyched for tomorrow, should be a good day (or slighly more
in the mountains. Tons of snow on the north facing slopes makes me very happy…”
This is absurd! At this pace, it looks like Hardrock is going to have it’s first sub 24 performance. It will be very interesting to see what happens tonight. With Anton running in front, all Kyle has to do is push him down the icy descents. Then Kyle can just pick out the best line to the bottom. I see Jared keeping second baring any night time craziness. Scott Jaime possibly going to 3rd with a good night run? I imagine the running order will change tonight.
Sorry Karl, the “old mans” clockwise record is going down!
The update board is all over the place. It looks like the radio guy at Governor’s was taking a crap in the bushes and Kyle went flying by, cuz he missed him!
the radio guy at Governors was taking a crap in the bushes and Kyle went flying by
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haha …. Keep it going Kyle !!
OH, it’s going down, no doubt about that. After I ran 26:39, I knew it could be faster as I wandered around Pole Creek looking for trail. But Kyle is taking it to the next level, I hope he breaks 24, that way there will be no pressure on me to try and get close to it, cuz’ it won’t happen. Go Kyle Go!
Kyle=11:58 at Grouse. Running smooth down the road and then Nate and him left a couple minutes later hiking hard up the switchbacks. I’m not pacing because of a sore foot, but Nate offers infinitely more course knowledge/experience anyhow. They should’ve slayed Handies and be very nearly to Sherman about now (it’s 9:15 MST)…
Right on Tony, Kyle’s the man tonight! Sub 24 is still doable! He’s gotta keep rolling to make it happen! Go Kyle Go!
I notice that the kid is just killing’em on his aid station stops. 2 minutes, 2 minutes, 2 minutes….
24! I think he can give 23 more then a scare at this pace.
SKAGGS 23:23:30!!!
What about the awesome speed being shown by Diana Finkel? Go Diana!
friggin Kyle smoked that course… 23:23 fitting the number is 23, the Michael Jordan of Ultra Running?!
… Amazing Run Kyle …Congrats!
Wow - barely even light for the finishing video. Unreal. Course records rarely seem safe around Skaggs and Krupicka! Look forward to seeing how the rest of the leaders and the field comes in.
Diana is ripping it up! Unreal race by Kyle. Now who goes 2 & 3?
Scott Jamie passed Ricky Denesik at the last 9.2 miles (by 42 min!). He is the only sub-30hr after the only sub-24hr Kyle Skaggs. Ricky just finished 3rd with 30hr 21min
Scott seemed to push extremely hard for the 9.2 mile from Gunningham to
Silverton. His 2hr 26min is faster than Kyle’s 2hr 32min. Ricky has 3hr 8min for this section.
Chihping (been excitedly watching all the time splits)
It think the year Paul Sweeney won he ran 2:09 from Cunningham in, the official fastest last split….I think
Simply impressive. Kyle did his homework. Clockwise schmokwise, counter schmounter, Kyle blew anything previous to smitherings. Good on ya kyle! Karl, you’re gonna have to hammer on the AT if you want to keep that mangy speedgoat skull, otherwise it could be haning on Kyle’s door at year’s end.
Ya, I agree that Paul still has that fastest split still. Kyle running almost barefoot probably did his poor dogs in! Still an unreal run.Ah,to be young and fast! It looks like Paul is trying for the longest nap record. What about speedgoat Mason? He’s having a good run.
Roch is impressively stepping over the carnage. Old men rule!
It does look like Scott Mason is having a great run, he’s been moving up all day, and running great splits, he’s gonna cherish this one. He went and acclimated, and it’s paying off. Roch as well, the veterans are coming through as usual.
I’ll have to run the AT in about 40 days to keep that Skull, Kyle deserves it now, no matter what, and if he doesn’t get performance of the year, he has contacted my disease…..the no respect disease!
I believe all the finishers and for that matter starters deserve recognition. I am pursuing my first 50 miler and have nothing but
admiration for any human being ” Doing Ultras”, Let lone 100’s and
further.
Way to Go Hardrock Runners, Support Crew and Director.
I agree Andy. Anyone who can go up and down those steep snow covered slopes wins my admiration. Matt Mahoney, who dropped at mile 58, has already loaded some great pics from the day on his website. He took an upclose shot of a mountain goat that is fitting for this website. http://www.mattmahoney.net/2008/
Speaking of splits from Cunningham, the young gun from Phoenix, Nick Coury ran a 2:15 split to finish 5th. He was on the waiting list and didn’t know he was running until the day before. Love the website Karl!!!
Mark it down now! Skaggs’ run at HR is the performance of the year! Carpenteresque and then some. We have entered a new era in ultrarunning. Now, Karl, time to kill the AT.
AJW
Amazing cabose action this year ! 4 Runners after 47:50 with the unstoppable John Dewalt finishing in 47:54…..sprinting in ! Absolutely incredible.
AJW,
I agree and look forward to tracking Karl’s AT and Scott Jurek’s
future events coming in 2008. Again, Let’s give a round of plause to all ultra runners. I hope everyone has great training and racing to finish out 2008.
Congrats to a fabulous run by Diana Finkel . . . why weren’t you all watching her more closely!
We were all watching Diana, but truthfully, Kyle stole the show. Congrats to Diana on a great run, hope she comes back to the superbowl
I am particularly proud of my Phoenicians Mr. Nick Coury and Robert Andrulis. We don’t get much but slide training, But rather dodge that Rattlesnake and Heat training.
Andy McBeen,
I’m with you on that! I lived in Phoenix for 5 years in the late 90’s and met Nick at JJ this past year. The fact that those guys can get it done at HRH is amazing (of course, they can train on dirt year ’round so that counts for something)…
AJW
AJW,
I know I love the Red Rocks of Sedona. I remember running their in
February at 71 degrees , bright and sunny. God please get us through this summer and into the remainder of the year.
How could you forget Helen Cospolich on the women’s side at Hardrock? Last year’s Leadville winner and running strong this year.