This past weekend was the 37th running of the Western States Endurance Run. It is one of the oldest ultra trail events in the world and is one of the most challenging. It is a 100 mile trail run beginning at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, and it follows the original trails used by miners in the 1850's. It is a remote trail and the course is limited to a specified number of runners who are accepted through a lottery system. This is the first year I have had much of an interest in the race and its participants. It hit me today, as I continued to read all of the Facebook updates and amazing stories of people I know who participated, either as a registered runner, course volunteer, support crew member or pacer. Through Brooks Running I have had an amazing opportunity to meet and get to know runners from all over the country, of varying skill and preferable distance. It is through these runner's enthusiasm and inspiration that I had an interest in the outcome of the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) this year.
Fortunately, this year the race was run under ideal conditions and many runners took advantage, including the men's winner who set a new course record. Scott Jurek (an amazing, Brooks sponsored ultra runner) held the previous course record which he set in 2004 with a time of 15:36:27. This year the men's winner, 34 year old Geoff Roses, finished in a super fast time of 15:07:04. The woman's winner, 41 year old Tracy Garneau, finished the course with a time of 19:01:55! The woman's course record has remained unchallenged since 1994 when Ann Trason completed the course in 17:37:51.
Today on Facebook many WSERs posted thanks you's and updates on their post-100 mile condition, minus the gory details of their feet and other injuries they were no doubt nursing! It was truly inspiring to hear about the huge group of people who made the race happen for so many runners - pacers, on course support, crew members and course volunteers. Also, the emotions that the participants expressed upon completing the arduous run, whether it was their first or 10th, had me thinking about my next super long run (and regretting that I cut my long run yesterday from a tentatively planned 18 to a wimpy 8!). I love the marathon distance. To me, 26.2 miles is the absolute perfect distance but something about this great race yesterday and the group of people who made it all happen definitely got me thinking...
I do not know whether or not I will ever have the desire to train for and complete the WSER (or any 100 mile race) but after this year's WSER I would love love love to be a part of this amazing event! I think I'll start encouraging some ultra runners I know to enter the lottery for next year so I can have to opportunity to participate in the race as a pacer!
Congratulations to all the Western States Finishers!
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