New ultramarathon races are popping up everywhere. Some are offering incredible venues. Some incredible competition. Others still are offering prize money. And some are offering all of the above. With everything that is going on in the US ultra scene I can't help but think of one thing, at least for 2012. And that is all eyes will be on Colorado this summer. Starting with Hardrock in July. We all know who is on the entrants list, who is on the waiting list and how many gazillions of other runners wish they were on either one. Then there is Leadville in August: Lifetime Fitness raised the entry field to 850 and- boom- the race still sold out. Third year in a row. What other state has at least two 100 mile mountain ultras that sell out each year? Answer: None. Leadville also happens to host the largest field (partly, because it can) out of any US 100 miler. Then there is the Pikes Peak marathon, also in August. The Spanish Conqueror, Kilian Jornet, is reportedly running. Kilian vs. Matt Carpenter? Can you say Pay-Per-View?! Lastly, there is this business of the Power Ball race in Steamboat in September, otherwise known as the Run Rabbit Run 100. Whatever your feelings are about the bunny race, or similar type races, there is an obvious demand for such events and it is obvious to me that a race like the Run Rabbit Run 100 would first take hold in Colorado. That is, with its big mountains, endless trails, voracious community embrace for outdoor and endurance sports and continuously burgeoning ultra running scene. Seems to me Bryon Powell ought to book a Colorado timeshare for this summer as his reporting services from the Centennial State will be in high demand.
Currently my name is #49 on the Hardrock waitlist. A little birdie told me recently that he believes Hardrock waitlisters will be picked off into the 50s. I'll believe it when I see it but on that tip alone I reserved a hotel room in Silverton. If good fortune comes my way and somehow I am able to run Hardrock I'll do it, no questions asked. And still run WS and UTMB (if selected on the 20th). Who wouldn't? Prior to this weekend I wasn't even thinking Hardrock as I was convinced that #49 may as well be #999; however, I had been thinking a lot about what I wrote above- about Colorado and the ultra running scene there in general. For all of the break out performances by athletes at various events within the past few years I believe that 2012 is going to be Colorado's breakout year as the capital of US ultra running and racing. Colorado may not necessarily be where all of the best runners live and train year round but at the least it is a place where a majority of them go to race. Or where they hope to race. Hopefully I'll be in Colorado- in Silverton- in July. Ready for a big push in the San Juans. 2010 and 2011 were lucky years for me in that I could experience a Colorado summer. Here is to hoping for more of the same for at least a few weeks this summer!
Amen! Would be sweet to see your name added to HR's already stout field. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHa, I'll be looking to bum floor space before I book a time share in Colorado this summer... but I'll be there at least three times and more likely four!
ReplyDeleteA side note: although I don't think it's done so in a while, Angeles Crest is solid out for 2012 so California now has two sold out 100s.
Bryon, wow... you are correct. AC is indeed full. I wonder if that has anything to do with the race moving to July? Wouldn't surprise me if the San Diego 100 becomes so popular in the near future that it too sells out.
ReplyDeleteSo let's see...the sell out 100s are now what? Massanutten, Western States, Hardrock, Angeles Crest, Leadville and Wasatch. Any others? Badwater is not a 100 so I am not including that one. But it is in CA, too! What other US 100s are on the brink of becoming sell outs or lottery races within the next few years? Anyone have any insight?
Neal - looking forward to seeing you out here. Kilian vs Matt? No competition. Seriously. Matt is no spring chicken anymore. He may still take Kilian on the climb, but on the descent he simply doesn't have a chance. The writing has been on the wall for a few years now, but for whatever reason everyone seems to want to run the Ascent and let Matt continue to win the M.
ReplyDeleteNick,
ReplyDeleteI would still pay admission (if I had to) to witness that duel. You might be running in the marathon, no? How great would be it to podium (in 3rd place, no offense!) with Kilian and Matt. That photo would be a wall framer, my friend. Good luck!
San Diego sells out fairly quickly, too, or at least it did last year. And Tahoe also sells out, so I'd put CA at 4 sell-outs a year. Although, that's partly in Nevada I suppose?
ReplyDelete(And not in either Colorado or California, but you asked about sell-out races, so Vermont and Cascade Crest also sell out. Cascade Crest has for several years, and Vermont is already full this year.)
ReplyDeleteAmy, good points. Yes, VT can sell out but I saw this moring on their Active.com site that the registration is still open. Maybe their site says something else. Still, you're right, it will sell out. So with VT, Cascade Crest, San Diego and Tahoe that makes 10 (TEN!) sell-out 100s in the US.
ReplyDeleteAmmmeeriiccaa... F* Yeah!
VT is already full, per their website. Umstead also fills almost immediately and Rocky Raccoon has been full for a while, too. HURT sells out, too, and is done by lottery.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Umstead filled in 3 minutes, so might be hardest to get into (non-lottery edition). And doesn't Bighorn fill up, too? What about the Barkley?
ReplyDeleteAmy and Jon, more good points. Forgot the Obvious ones HURT and Barkley but I must not be paying enough attention regarding the others. Umsted filling in three minutes? Sheesh! And just when I was thinking maybe America is experiencing something of an Ultra race bubble, or at least a 100 mile race bubble. There are many old ones but many new ones, too. Many are apparently selling out. Others just filling.
ReplyDeleteI believe that 2012 is going to be Colorado's breakout year as the capital of US ultra running and racing. www.rx247.net/coumadin.html
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