Devon Crosby-Helms killed it for the women, breaking Ann Lundlbad’s record by a scant 21 seconds!!!
She must have been thinking about that for the last 10 miles!
1 Gregory Crowther 36 1/212 M SEATTLE 5:50:13 7:01
2 Michael Arnstein 32 2/212 M NEW YORK 5:50:58 7:02
3 Matt Woods 30 3/212 M FALLS CHUR 5:54:10 7:05
4 Hal Koerner 33 4/212 M ASHLAND 6:05:02 7:19
5 Chad Ricklefs 42 1/298 M BOULDER 6:06:51 7:21
6 Matthew Lavine 35 5/212 M CRYSTAL LA 6:08:17 7:22
7 Oz Pearlman 37 6/212 M NEW YORK 6:09:39 7:24
8 Ben Ingram 32 7/212 M BALTIMORE 6:21:45 7:39
9 Jon Lawler 46 2/298 M KNOXVILLE 6:24:20 7:42
10 Devon Crosby-Helms 27 1/37 F SAUSALITO 6:29:21 7:48
11 Scott Jurek 36 8/212 M SEATTLE 6:31:12 7:50
12 Josh Brimhall 34 9/212 M HENDERSON 6:32:13 7:51
13 Andrew Mason 37 10/212 M HAGERSTOWN 6:34:36 7:54
14 David James 31 11/212 M SOMERS 6:36:00 7:56
15 Blake Benke 33 12/212 M DANBURY 6:43:28 8:05
16 Timothy Smith 38 13/212 M GLENELG 6:44:08 8:05
17 Kyle Cashin 39 14/212 M WESTLAW 6:44:55 8:06
18 Vladimir Banas 40 3/298 M MOUNT AIRY 6:46:22 8:08
19 Jeffry Buechler 35 15/212 M PORTLAND 6:47:40 8:10
20 Ian Torrence 37 16/212 M ASHLAND 6:48:14 8:10
Obviously a great race up front. Eric Clifton’s record remains intact…..barely.
Rogue Valley Runners appear to have won the “team” title with 4 of 5 runners in the top 20. Eric Clifton was the #5 man finishing in 8:12…..a few beers behind teammates Koerner, Jurek, Brimhall and Torrence.
Devon Crosby-Helms appears to have smoked the women with a stellar 6:29, Meghan Arboghast ran well too, finishing in 6:56. Annette Bednosky is back to old form running 7:02 for third.
Tag Archive for 'hal koerner'
Well, the plan was to run the North Face 50 in San Francisco. Due to a weak webpage and updated runners list, I didn’t get the invitation or money in, in time. So I bagged it. I don’t feel I am qualified to compete for the $$ anyway, so I decided I’d go run another 100 miles to get rid of this nagging periformis issue I’ve been having. The one thing I’ll be missing is chasing the front of the women’s race in the Marin Headlands…..not to mention the original plan was to go visit some good friends in Ashland before the race. That’ll have to wait for another road trip.
So another 100? Why not? I feel fine, other than the periformis. The periformis hurt before the Pinhoti 100 two weeks ago, only to go numb by mile 40. It stayed numb until the following Wednesday. Funny how running a 100 miles for me gets rid of injuries instead of creating them. I am truly a freak sometimes.
The Chimera 100 is the race, it boasts 24,000′ of climb. I figured that sounds like another 20 hours of fine trail running in California. It also gives me a chance to win at 100 miles for a 6th time this year. NO, I’m not cherrypicking races, (if anyone out there thinks I am) I’m running this one cuz’ I have nothing better to do that weekend and it looks like a fun course. Unfortunately on the competition side, most of the faster guys will be in San Fran the week before. The beauty of it is I get to run all day supported, they only get to run 7-8 hours. So I win! :-) Funny how my brain thinks that way. 
The Speedgoat 50k is rapidly approaching the opening of registration, that’ll be on January 1st. Sign up early and commit this time, or take the risk and sign up later. Either way, it’ll be a fun day at Snowbird Ski Resort running on one of the most beautiful courses this planet has to offer. Check out the video of the race here. Some day when my site takes a u-tube video, I’ll have it here to view. At least the link works!
Backcountry.com is constantly having sales these days, with coupon codes, deals and motivation to get the gear we need. Click the goatman on the right hand corner above and check out this week’s specials.
Also, the JFK 50 mile is happening Saturday. It should be a great race to follow. Team Rogue Valley Runners are looking to win yet another team title with Ian Torrence leading the way with the most JFK finishes. His team consists of Hal Koerner, Josh Brimhall, Scott Jurek, CR holder Eric Clifton, and Ian himself. The dream team is set. Enjoy! I”m goin’ runnin’
This year’s Wasatch 100 is lined up to be a burner. Not only will it be warm, ( at this point ) but the heat, dust, and dry overgrown conditions should make it an interesting race to watch, and more interesting to run up front. It’s a tough one to pick. The way I look at it there are 5 guys who could run away. More than likely it’ll be one of the 5 guys on the top of the odds list. It’s fair to say it may take a record to win this year. Kyle Skaggs is hanging on to the record at 19:35 and change. This could be the race that decides the “Speedgoat of the Year”.
The Men:
Geoff Roes 7-2. Returning champion with a 20:01 to his credit on his first run here. He’s focused, he’s been sleeping high in Colorado for two weeks, and is now sleeping high here. He looks fit and ready to run sub 20….at least! Speedgoat Karl 4-1. This is my chance to shine right? Well it won’t be easy. I’ve been a little erratic in training because of a foot issue, but it’s gone now and if I can take my normal attitude…”100 miles isn’t really that far” all the way to the finish, I see a sub 20 in me easily. But I’m gonna have to nail it and run hard, cuz’ looking over my shoulder I may just see that light coming at me. This is my 100th ultra and shooting for the 50th ultra win of my career. Needless to say, I have some incentive. Any way you look at it, I’m in it to win it! Hal Koerner 9-5. Mr. Western schooled everyone at the Squaw Track Meet. This race is a little hillier and far more technical. If Hal runs smart and efficient, he may run away, but Geoff and Karl will be right on his tail. He likes to start fast, so watch for that. Geoff and I will probably be chasers from Francis Sheds. Josh Brimhall 5-1. Josh has what it takes to run 20 hours, he just has to tell himself that. He might beat us all at 50k, but this is 100. He’s run one great 100 at San Diego a few years back. He’s also got the heat issue down as he’s from the Vegas area and trains daily with 100 degree temps. Allen Bellshaw 6-1. Allen has run here a few times but hasn’t really nailed it yet. If he does, he’ll slip into the top 3, but this year that’ll have to be sub 21. From the Steamboat area, he’s been sleeping at altitude as well and should be ready to compete for the win, or at least a podium spot….if there was a podium. John Anderson 6-1. Another guy who can certainly run hard. He missed out on Bighorn and is probably hungry to run a good race. Another acclimatized guy too, so look out as he’s the sleeper to win it if we all crack ahead of him. Erik Storheim 7-1. Speedgoat 50k champ and no rookie on technical terrain. If he keeps his game-face on, he’ll run sub 22 and will compete for top 5. Jared Campbell 8-1. He ran real well at Hardrock and it’s time for him to throw one down at Wasatch. If he runs like he does on our occasional training runs, I’d put him top 5 easy. Topher Gaylord 9-1. Former Alta-Snowbird Local who knows the course well and is one of those guys who is often a mystery. He’ll be under 23 for sure, but could also move up if he uses his supreme experience. He’s coming off of UTMB, so may be a bit tired. Corbin Talley 12-1. Wasatch Running Center’s top dog, Corbin is a SLC local and a fast road marathoner ( 2:20 range ). He was in the top 5 a few years back when Roch Horton and I passed him sitting on a rock after Brighton. Chances are he won’t be sitting on a rock this time. He’s got great speed but needs to keep his stomach happy. Brandon Sybrowsky 14-1. If Brandon is in good race shape, he’s easily in top 5. He’s run this thing over 10 times and could go blindfolded if he wanted to. I hope he’s up front with us so we can talk Hong Kong and the Trailwalker 100k experience we had a few years back in 2002 and 2004.That’s it for the men. Others to watch for a sub 24 finish: Jay Aldous, David Hayes, Dave Hunt, Scott Kunz and a few others I’ve probably missed.
The women:
Always a little easier to pick, but this year we have 6 women that could win it. Some faster and more experienced than others, but nonetheless it’ll be competitive to the end.
Betsy Nye 4-1. We have to give her the nod here as she’s won this thing a bunch of times. She does not hold the record but will run it textbook style. And with Roch Horton at her side trying to get her that silly Cheetah Buckle she’s got a chance at breaking 24. Around 24 hours should win it. Mandy Hosford 5-1. Mandy brings a great Speedgoat 50k run to the table, but lacks some 100 mile experience. If she nails it though, she’ll surprise lots of folks and run away. She’s got speed, a good coach and determination to go for it. Sarah Evans 6-1. Sarah also has a good coach :-) and if she sticks with a good race strategy, she should run strong to the finish. She has to stay smart though, and not let others dictate her race. She’s as fast as the other two ahead of her if she wants to be. Prudence L’Heureux 8-1. I’ve picked Prudence many times to run up front, but she hasn’t really done it yet. I’m thinking this may be her time to shine. She’s got it in her if she nails it. Jane Larkindale 9-1. Jane ran second at the San Diego 100 in June with a solid 21:40ish time. This is her chance to run with the top ladies and prove she’s one to reckon with. The “sleeper” in my book. Darla Askew 10-1. She’s got a veteran pacer ( Krissy Moehl ). If Krissy can keep her moving well later in the race, like she does, she’ll move up late and surprise a few.That’s the ladies, and there are probably a few I missed, but this time I think I have it right!
Don’t forget to keep tuning in as I am working on a project for next year…once again. But it’s a secret for now, the details are coming soon.
For those out there who can help the needy. Consider donating a few bucks for a good cause. A client of mine, Kieth Kohler, is running the North Country 50 mile run in a few weeks. This charity helps an orphanage in Sri Lanka, a place where real cash is needed to help save these kids’ lives. Check out the website here, and let ultrarunning assist the kids in need!
On another good note, Erik Skaggs is now turning the corner and improving, check out the good words at Rogue Valley Runners.
And don’t forget to click the “Goatman” in the upper right corner for deals at Backcountry.com. It’s time to gear up for winter soon, as another 700″ is ready to fall on the mighty Wasatch Front.
I put my odds for Western on the previous post, but for some even more entertaining info, read on…..the Bighorn 100 was an adventure into the wilderness where sometimes it gets just a little scary!
The Bighorn 100 was another great win for me….that’s #25 in the 100 mile trail race “win category”. Nick Clark kept it close early, but in the end I was showered, sleeping and thinking about what “could have happened”….but didn’t. So here’s the story………..
Ever had a run-in with a moose? I can now say I have. It was funny the day before at the packet pick-up as I heard some other folks talking about how the leaders get to see all the wildlife. This race I was the leader. I saw all the wildlife, from big bucks, to big moose, even a skunk to perhaps throw some stink into my finish (that didn’t happen), but was close.
I was about a half mile from the turnaround point at the Porcupine Aid Station where I came upon old mama Bullwinkle. I stopped, she stopped. We both proceeded forward, when Bullwinkle started walking away from me towards the aid station, I also proceeded forward. She then started to run away from me. All I could think was “great”, she’s out of here. When I started moving again, she spun a 180, snorted and started charging at me from about 40 meters. I moved left behind a large tree, baiting her to pass me on the right. She was about 5 feet…yah 5 feet from me, I darted left behind the tree to protect myself. She turned around, charged at me again only to find that big tree in her way and a little 142 pound runner hiding behind. She was only 5 feet from me staring me in the face. We played cat and mouse 5 more time before she decided to head back up and away from me. I felt better now, hoping she was out of there. At this area on the jeep road there was about 75 meters to the next big tree where I could protect myself, in the direction of the aid station. It seemed she was gone as I could no longer see her in the woods about 50 meters away. I started running quite fast towards the aid station, she then came barreling out of the woods and started chasing me! As I was sprinting faster than Carl Lewis ever has, I turned around to see her snout only 5 feet from me and ready to pounce on top of me and possibly kill me. I dove like superman behind that first big tree. She kicked my right shin as well as my left hand. When I hit the ground, I bounced up quickly to hide behind the tree again, only to play cat and mouse 5-6 more times. Standing in front of a moose 7 feet tall is pretty scary from a distance of only 4-5 feet. I don’t recommend it! After a minute or two or her standing there debating whether I was worth more effort, she moved up and away into the woods again. This time I waited out of her sight a little longer than the first time. I finally went and she was never seen again. I was shaking at the aid station knowing I had to head back that way. Two younger guys went ahead to spook her, they did just that. For the next 20 miles I was shaking while running as I kept turning around thinking something was coming after me. Finally it was over. I survived a moose attack, won the race in record time, and now it’s a no-brainer when someone asks me a “wildlife story” when running in the wilderness. Lesson to be learned……nah, it was about time this happened, I’ve been running in the woods for 25 years!
Bighorn results here:
Now we can proceed to the Western States Odds!
