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2019 Western States 100!
nadra's babydaddy:
The super bowl/boston marathon/world series of ultra running is next weekend!
On the men's side we have.....basically everybody. Jim Walmsley will do his thing, which could either go brilliantly or horribly blow up. He's been pretty quiet lately except for some boring 50 mile world record. Ho hum. Will he still be as hungry now that he's got the CR under his belt and proved he can dish it out over 100 miles? If not, 8 out of last year's top 10, plus 2017 winner Ryan Sandes, plus a slew of other ultra studs and 'short' distance studs rolling the ultra dice will be ready to mop up. That includes perpetual silent assassins Mark Hammond (GOGOGOUTAH!) and Jeff Browning, who know how to race 100s and are my dark horse favorites. Just don't count them out even if they're well outside the top 10 at Robinson Flat. In fact they probably will be.
On the women's side we have....basically everybody. Ultra cyborg Courtney Dauwalter would probably be listed among the men's favorites. Except...she's not a man. Not that that's stopped her from winning several prominent ultras outright or hitting the overall podium, most notably including a second at Big's Backyard Ultra, putting her on Laz's radar and making her a possible contender for a Barkley entry and first female finisher. It's hers to lose. But in ultras, people sometimes lose. And on mop up duty we once again have 8 out of last year's top 10 returning, plus folks such as Kaci Lickteig (the Western States whisperer, with a previous title and five previous finishes) and Camille Herron (24hr world record holder).
Curious to see what the snowpack will look like and how that will play in. It sure didn't seem to bother Walmsley much 2 years ago when he shot out at sub 14 hour pace for a long way, despite having one of the heaviest snow years. We know how that ended, but the snow itself sure didn't seen to make a difference. But if it's anything like things have been out in this neck of the woods (which has already caused the cancellation of Hardrock!), should be pretty gnarly.
Best of luck to all the would-be double letter course cutters....on a point-to-point trail run...in the same neighborhood where the Donner Party ended up.
Make it so!
nadra's babydaddy:
GOGOGO!!!
Lots of pre-race interviews and analysis posted over at Irunfar. I think Walmsley is actually more vulnerable that Courtney is. Granted that doesn't say much, but even beyond his volatile racing style, there's a ton of talent that could potentially stick close to him and steal one even if he doesn't have a total meltdown; guys like Jared Hazen and some of the other aforementioned grizzled vets. I'm surprised he's polling as much of a runaway as she is on their prediction page. But we all know what can happen with polls :d
nadra's babydaddy:
That means she goes off course to make it LONGER. I like her. She replies to my comments!
nadra's babydaddy:
https://twitter.com/iRunFar
https://www.irunfar.com/2019/06/2019-western-states-100-live-coverage.html
GOGOGOGOGO!!!
diablita:
Kyle Robidoux (who is a Top Athletics ambassador) is making an attempt to on WS100 as a blind runner. Scott Jurek is one of his pacers.
Really excited for him. I hope he goes far.
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