All predictions aside, I think I nailed this one!
Geoff Roes and Betsy Nye both came out victorious in the end. I wasn’t kidding when I said it was gonna be a burner!
While hanging out last weekend with Hal and Geoff talking about this year’s race, the three of us knew it would probably take a record to win it. We also knew it would probably be one of the three of us. Well, we were right. Two of us went under the old “fast” record of Kyle Skaggs (19:35). Geoff took it to another level breaking the record by only 65 minutes!, leaving the front of the field early at “Charlie’s Corner” at about mile 20. It was the last I saw of Geoff all day. Hal did not have his best day but still managed to squeak out 6th place. I managed to be the “chaser” all day coming in strong at 19:12. 19:12 isn’t so fast compared to 18:30! The closest I came to Geoff was in the heat at Lambs Canyon (mile 53) only 9 minutes back. I was encouraged, but Geoff soon recovered from a brief episode of a bad stomach and regained his 15 minute lead he held back at Big Mountain Pass (mile 39). Although I felt I was moving slow, I still stayed within reach at Brighton 21 minutes behind. Geoff left a comment at Brighton (mile 73.5) with my crew, Catherine Mataisz…”tell Karl I’m just warming up”. I laughed, but at the same time I was thinking the same thing. The race starts at Brighton…so here we go!
Geoff’s lead was still 21 minutes at the Ant Knolls aid station, (mile 78). I was holding my own to this point. I started to feel even better running into Pole line (81). I gained only 2 minutes, but still was actually gaining ground slowly. I didn’t expect to catch Geoff, but wanted to keep the throttle down and give it all I had. I felt great and really wanted to rally.
Soon after Pole Line a knife was inserted into my right ankle joint, from a previous rolling of that very ankle at about mile 10. I wasn’t catching Geoff no matter what, cuz’ he was on fire, but I think I could even have been under 19 hours as well without this little blade twisting around in my foot……..I dealt with it and still ran in slowly in 19:12.
The real race for the win was in the women’s field. Although I can’t say I was in the middle of it and have a close account of how it went down, but we got words at the finish that the two leading ladies (Betsy Nye and Mandy Hosford) were duking it out for the win at mile 81. Betsy was only planning on breaking 24 hours. At least that was her plan, and she was sticking to it according to her pacer Roch Horton. Mandy pulled ahead briefly after Pole LIne, only to realize it was time for her belly to go a little sour. Betsy decided to put the hammer down and ran away slowly to win by only 10 minutes at the end….sick race!
The synopsis:
Geoff Roes now has the “Performance of the Year” hands down. 18:30 on this course is sickly fast and one for the archives. I was psyched to stay close and push Geoff to run this kind of time. It helped me go 23 minutes under the previous record as well…..I guess we nailed it sitting at the BBQ saying it was gonna take a record to win it……but only one guy gets the “Golden Skull”.
Betsy Nye notched her 6th or 7th win at Wasatch. It’s so many I’m not even sure if that’s right. It seems when we run our own race, good things happen. Let’s not take anything away from Mandy Hosford either, she put a great fight and she, as well, went a few minutes below the old record of 23:29.28.
4 RECORDS, TWO WINNERS, SICKLY FAST ON A HOT DAY!
Check full results for the Wasatch 100 here
Wow, Karl - pretty much speechless with your day. Incredible. It was exciting to “watch” on the website. Helluva run, man! Sorry to hear about your ankle, hope you heal up quick.
Chris
What a mastery at this distance, Karl, to keep such a calm temper while dealing with such performances and competition. 3 other 100M wins in a row and this 2nd place, that’s still an outstanding 2009 performance to me.
Take care of this ankle,
Jean.
Farther Faster
Karl,
As the young guns keep coming, you just keep taking your racing to a new level. Proud of you my friend. You are the best, most durable, most prolific 100 miler on the planet. It’s good to see you doing so well. Keep keeping them honest Karl. Awesome race.
Billy Woodstock
Karl,
Congratulations! And thanks for the exciting report from the front runners.
Like I said before, I’ll vote you the ultrarunner of the year and, agreeing with you, Roes Wasatch CR win, the ultrarunning performance of the year.
Also, like you mentioned, both Betsy’s win and her race with Mandy are really classic.
All these make the great 30th Wasatch!
Fast and full recovery on your ankle,
Chihping
Thanks for the great recap Karl. As always you handle defeat like a great champion, though its hard to call a run like that defeat. We are extremely happy to support you, La Sportiva, Wasatch Speedgoats and Pearl Izumi/Smith in the Ultra running world..way to go!
Congratulations on an amazing run Karl. You are a real inspiration!
Thanks for pushing me, Karl. I was terribly intimidated going into this one with folks’ expectations of me being what they were. So glad to be out there with you all. Needless to say, the Wasatch 100 is great training for the Speedgoat 50k. Looking forward to your race next year. Speedy recovery and all my best to you and Cheryl. Enjoy the autumn, it’s coming!!
thanks for making us old guys look good still Karl, congrats.
Amazing year so far Karl. I knew you were ready when you rocked Moab in Feb. Do you think all that “base” training on the Appalachian Trail made the difference this year? If you don’t get Ultrarunner of the year I’ll never buy another copy of Ultrarunning magazine:)
Thanks for the good words from everyone! Very cool!
Kamm, I definately think the AT has something to do with my good season. It’s not so much about the base, as I’ve been running for 30 years. I think it’s about the perception of how far 100 miles is….it’s not that far to me anymore.
Scary!
Congrats on the great season, and run at wasatch. What a great race at snowbird also. Did you hear the JMT record was broken. Wondering what your take on that is. 222 miles I think, little further than a 100, maybe a warm up before another appalaccian attempt.
I’ll be hitting the JMT eventually, it’s on the “to do” list. It’s only 222 miles so I’d treat it differently than the AT. It would be almost an all or nothing attempt. Could be interesting.
Great job Karl…sure sounded like a killer. Amazing race season for you!!! Hope to seya soon!
Karl- I saw you comment on Geoff’s website that you’ll be at mile 44 of the Bear. Are you pacing or working an aid station? I’m doing the mile 19 aid station, then pacing someone starting at mile 44.
Hey Jon. I’m working the aid station, then moving on to the aid station at mile 61 if needed. Busy day!