-
A runner’s greatest asset is “heart”, the ability to put it all on the line to block out all competition and to run as if you are the only one in the race. It is all about effort, the struggle, survival, victory, and defeat.
On November 21, 2015 for the last 53 years downtown Boonsboro, Md., has been witness to an assembly of runners for the start of the John F. Kennedy 50 Mile (JFK) and commonly called “America’s Ultramarathon”.
-
For many ultra runners Patagonia is a distant iconic image propagated by vivid imaginations of unscathed wild terrain and sharp edged peaks. A mysterious mountain running promised land of sorts, that has constructed itself upon years of whimsical exploration. Given Patagonia’s mystical appeal, it is no wonder why 1,638 people from all over the world traveled to the Osorno Volcano this December to run one of the various distances in the 2015 Volcano Ultra Trail (VUT) race series.
-
The idea for the Ultra Race of Champions 100K was conceived by its race director, James Russell Gill III. Gill, a Hoka One One sponsored athlete and long time ultrarunner and race director, saw a need for a day when the best athletes in the sport could come together and measure themselves on one course, and where everyone who wanted to be part of the event could. In addition to the 100k race, the event also includes a 50k and 25k to allow runners of all abilities to participate in the day.
-
Perfect running weather was the order of the day and the runners delivered with some impressive performances. The women ran well taking four of the top eight positions. Catrin Jones of Victoria made it look easy, cruising to a new women’s course record of 6:24:50 trimming six and a half minutes off the old mark in the process. This was even more impressive considering that just six days earlier she had won her age category in the Victoria Marathon. Former race winner, Mel Bos from Kelowna, took second place with a strong performance, while Vancouver’s Tara Berry captured third.
-
Flagstaff Sky Race was a beautiful display of not only what Flagstaff has to offer mountain runners but of what hard work and a season of Skyrunning produces in the final performances. Prize money and pride were big motivators but hard work, determination, and sure-footing is what really won the day.
-
After a few relaxing days in the Tetons, we headed northeast to continue our 2015 Western adventure. Our destination was the Ghosts of Yellowstone 100-mile run in the Tobacco Roots Mountains of Southwest Montana. We stayed in Ennis, MT and made the trek to Pony, MT (race HQ) for the 2015 edition of Rampage the Roots.