On Monday morning Ultrarunning Magazine will announce the “Ultrarunners of the Year”. Who’s it gonna be? All we know is that it’s a tough vote. So many variables, so many races, so many different circumstances, so many different courses. I could go on and on and on, but I won’t. Tune in Monday morning after I see the results for my two cents on the voting. Some will rank higher than expected, some lower, some will see no love, some will be loved. All for what? Yah, recognition, but not even a buckle? :-)
Like many other races, the Speedgoat 50k is filling much faster than last year, it’s amazing how this is evolving in our world. If you don’t like a beating stay home, if you do….register here, but read the instructions first to get an idea of what it’s like….it’s no picnic! :-)…..or is it? Picnics are fun stuff.
For the record, and to all of you who like running in the La Sportiva Fireblade, make a note that if you like the orange color, you better get out and hit up Backcountry.com for the remaining few pairs of orange. The grey models WILL ALWAYS be available, they ARE NOT discontinued, only the orange color will no longer be made. :-( If BC.com doesn’t have them, go to La Sportiva and see what’s left in the closeout section. Both outlets have them on sale, around 70 bucks, so pick em’ up!. Stop wearing those “boot style” running shoes, get low to the ground, it’ll make you run faster!
And finally this weekend the Bandera 100k happens down in Texas. Two spots for the Western Track Meet are up for grabs. A few fast guys are running, when I see results I’ll post it up. My predictions:
Chikara Omine will come out on top, unless technicality gets him. Zach Miller will challenge him along with Nick Clark. Any of these three guys could win it, and one of them will be shut down. It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.
For the women: It looks like Annette Bednosky is the shoe-in, but I don’t recognize any other women, so the race for second is on!
And for kicks, check out my latest creation at “White PIne” here in Little Cottonwood Canyon. It’s a quarter mile long luge run, built solely by me. As busy as I’ve been, I found a little extra time to build this classic track. Click here to watch the fun as Matt Hart leads the way. Tom Maartens and I are in the “chaser sled” with the video. Good ole’ fun, not your typical luge run.
Wow, what an awesome sled ride! People would line up and pay big bucks for that thrill. You could call it the “Goat Run”
It is truly a “goat run”. 150 vertical, 1/4 mile long. Smooth and fast…but alot of work to keep maintained. Good ole fun time!
What’s cool about it is I built it myself, and created my own fun! Not to mention do 20 laps on that, and whalla, 3000′ climbed!
Awesome vid!!
GR
Sweet sled ride!
Bandera results…
Nick Clark edged out Chikara Omine by a few scant minutes for a new course record. At the last station they were seconds apart. In the women’s race, Aliza Lapierre and Jill Perry were in a photo finish on the timing mat. Jill was 5 minutes behind Aliza at the last aid station. Depending on which foot each of the ladies put down on the mat determined the chip time winner. Not certain which one that was. Great race day with a starting temp of 9 degrees.
Semick, Roes Named 2009 Runners of the Year
5 100mi wins in one year…That’s a tough sonagun to top that! It’ll be somethin to see you guys one up 2009.
congrats karl! what a year!
can’t wait to test my hooves at speedgoat this year.
Whoboy: Geoff is pretty quick!
Thanks for the good words!
Man, I agree with most everything in the results. But man do I seriously disagree with the fact that Josh Cox’s PFChangs 50K got more votes then Zach Gingerich’s record breaking performance at Kettle Moraine 100M last June. That record took years to break. Whatever!
Josh’s run was solid, but I think it’s a little strange to tack on mileage as Josh has “marathon pacers” keeping him in check a bit. At least that’s my guess. Zach had a great year, not only Kettle, but many other races too.
Remember these votes are super tough for the voters. Looking at each runners results is tough. It’s like comparing apples to oranges to bananas to papayas to nuts. Well, we’re all nuts!
Congrats Karl on a fun filled year. Any odds for HURT this weekend?
Hey there. my husband let me know about your site a couple weeks ago, and I just love it. I’ll be back! Thanks!
Cool vid Karl. Looks like a ton of fun.