As much as I have read about ultras, I have never heard of a race quite like the 2010 Western States endurance run. Something had to give in this race, as the three favourites; Journet, Krupicka and Roes have hardly lost a race between them.
In these kind of races you expect causulties, especially with such a high class field like yesterday/today. In this race it was Hal Koener, who one the race for the last 2 years. Anton, Geoff and Killian really took the race on as expected. In mile 80, Anton and Killian were neck and neck while Geoff was a few minutes behind. This is where Killian though started cramping and fell off the pace. At mile 89, Geoff passed Anton and ended up pulling away to be victorious in an absolutely astonishing time of 15 hours 7 minutes. Anton was second in 15 hours 12 minutes while Killian kept last year's tradition of a European finishing 3rd in a time of 16.04. Meaning Geoff now holds the course record, absolutely smashing Scott Jurek's old record of 15.35 and keeps his record of winning every hundred mile race he has entered. Anton even though second now has the second fastest time in the history of Western states which has been going for over 25 years!
It is always hard to compare a hundred mile races as they are all so different but this has to be one of the most competitive/elite 100 mile races ever. The even more exciting thing is that Geoff is 34 so has plenty of ultra years left in him. Anton is 26, while Killian is even younger at 22! There is no doubt Killian on a good day would have finished up there with the other 2. Being in the top 10 to they are all guaranteed a place for next year's race.
Meanwhile the lady's race was just as close, last years 1st and second place, Anita Ortiz and Beverly abbs were did not starts. So Tracey Garneux of Canada won in 19 hours 1 minute, Meghan Arbogast was second in 19.15 and Nikki Kimball was 3rd in 19.23.
Next big ultra events in America is the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Badwater 135 in Death Valley. The next biggest ultra event in Europe is UTMB. This race has now offically got exciting as Geoff Roes and Killian Journet are both running! Britain's contender is the WHW course record holder and who was third at last year's western states; Jez Bragg.
Anyway after being ill pretty much all last week, I was back in the gym on Friday for a light session followed by a wedding. Up early on Saturday, to help my friend move house, then barbeque at night so just 'cross training'. On Sunday I was knackered from the rest of the weekend, so had a lie in. Just went out for a 3 miler to ease myself back into running. I did feel a bit sluggish but I'm putting this down to only having a muller rice for breakfast and sleeping for so long. So planning another short run tonight, then hopefully it will be back to hard training tomorrow.
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