Author Topic: 2019 Western States 100! (Read 6349 times)

nadra's babydaddy · « **on:** June 23, 2019, 10:52:33 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2019, 07:31:01 PM »

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

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2019, 02:24:39 PM »

That means she goes off course to make it LONGER. I like her. She replies to my comments!

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2019, 01:36:39 AM »

https://twitter.com/iRunFar

https://www.irunfar.com/2019/06/2019-western-states-100-live-coverage.html

GOGOGOGOGO!!!

diablita · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2019, 09:57:07 AM »

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.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2019, 11:08:20 AM »

Jim Walmsley and Courtney Dauwalter shockingly in the lead at Red Star Ridge (mile 15). 2:31 for Jim (2:32 last year). 2:49 for Courtney (2:59 last year).

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2019, 11:52:42 AM »

Walmsley leading through Duncan Canyon (24.4) in 3:34. 3:32 last year. Jared Hazen is 3 minutes back and the top 11 are within 10 minutes (Mark Hammond in 11th). Starting to shape up as expected. Much tighter up at the front than last year when there was 17 minutes between 1 and 11 and Walmsley had a 10 minute lead.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2019, 12:09:54 PM »

Courtney D in first place at Duncan in 4:03 (4:14 last year). 9 minute lead.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2019, 12:15:10 PM »

Looking over the numbers affirms how badass Ellie Greenwood's course record of 16:47 is. No one has come within 40 minutes of it, and the 40 minutes was from Courtney last year, which everyone thought was amazing. Apart from them, only two other women have ever even broken 18 hours!

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2019, 12:38:46 PM »

Walmsley through Robinson Flat (30.3) in 4:26. 4:28 last year. 5 minute lead over Hazen, reportedly looks great.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2019, 12:54:02 PM »

Bit more spread up front now. 3rd-5th are 13:30 back and it's a pack of short distance studs rolling the dice at ultras, who by historical trends, are likely to drop further back. On the local side, Mark Hammond has moved up from 11th to 9th 17 minutes back. Slowwwly stalking his prey....

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2019, 01:39:07 PM »

Walmsley through Dusty Corners (38) in 5:18. Last year was 5:23. Hazen 8.5 minutes behind.

Courtney leading at Robinson Flat in 5:08. Last year was 5:23. 10 minute lead.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2019, 03:03:48 PM »

Walmart through Devil’s Thumb (47.

in 6:41, 11 minutes ahead of record pace. 8 minutes ahead of Haden.

Courtney through Dusty Corners at 6:10. 3.5 minutes ahead of record pace! 13 minutes ahead of second.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2019, 03:26:49 PM »

Everyone else is a thousand leagues behind Walmart (I’m just going to stick with that name now) and Hazen. Mark Hammond has moved into 7th, 35 minutes back, but within a few minutes of third. Still a pretty tight group after the first two.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2019, 05:09:40 PM »

Walmart to Forresthill in 8:38. 9.5 minutes up on Hazen, both under record pace! Third 30+ minutes back. The

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2019, 05:22:08 PM »

If at least one of these two SOBs can avoid destruction, these are perfect conditions for a completely nonsensical and seemingly unmatchable time, between perfect weather and studly runners chasing each other to generate some competitive adrenaline.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #16 on:** June 29, 2019, 06:25:45 PM »

Back in front of a computer! Walmsley is through Peachstone (70.7) in 9:49, 10 minutes ahead of Hazen. Last year was 10:05.

Courtney is at Forresthill in 10:04. Last year was 10:51. 30+ minutes up.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #17 on:** June 29, 2019, 06:58:18 PM »

Walmsley is through Rucky Chucky (78) at 10:46. Last year was 11:05. Flirting with 14 hour pace.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #18 on:** June 29, 2019, 07:04:54 PM »

Hazen 9.5 minutes back at Rucky Chucky asking how far ahead Walmsley is. 9 minutes under CR pace.

nadra's babydaddy · « **Reply #19 on:** June 29, 2019, 07:39:28 PM »

Walmsley through Green Gate (79.

at 11:05. Last year was 11:25. Hazen now 9 minutes back.

Courtney through Peachstone at 11:30. Last year was 12:03. No one else in the same zip code. Reportedly left the aid station with a bit of a limp.

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Author Topic: 2019 Western States 100! (Read 6349 times)

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