Western States 100 mile endurance run 2013

 

When it comes to ultra running the WSER 100 is the "Boston Marathon" of the genre. This is the oldest 100 mile race in the United States and it draws the best of the best. If running had a Super Bowl this would be it. This years event is being run as I sit and type this on my laptop. The runners got started at 5am in Olympic Valley at Squaw in Tahoe and the elites will be in Auburn, CA by about 8pm tonight crossing the finish line on the high school track. This race will launch the winner into the stratosphere of ultra running. Sponsors will come out of the wood work and race directors will fly you to their races all over the world.

 

Way Too Cool 50k lottery has been drawn!

I woke up this morning and as usual settled into my email with my morning coffee. The first email I saw was from Ultrasignup.com. I knew what this was about, a week ago they announced the opening of the lottery for the Way Too Cool 50k in Cool ,CA just outside of the small mountain town of Auburn. I put my name in the lottery by filling out their questionaire about my ultra running experience and giving them a credit card number. I thought about that this weekend and wondered when they were going to do the drawing and announce the winners. I thought it was this weekend. Apparently I was right.

I opened the email to read:

Congratulations! 
You have been selected for the 2013 Way Too Cool 50K Endurance Run Presented by Clif Bar.

  On behalf of myself and my NorCalUltras team, we look forward to seeing you on March 9th! Happy training,

Julie Fingar Race Director

The Way Too Cool 50k, for those who are not familiar, is (according to their website) the most sought after 50k in the United States. It is run on parts of the Western States 100 mile endurance championship course in and around the Sierra Nevada mountains. The lottery results are posted here at Ultrasignup.com and reads like a who's who list of ultramarathon superstars. The first few names that jumped out at me were Leor Pantilat, Galen Burrell, Max King, Gary Gellin, Rory Bosio, and if you scroll towards the bottom of the page Jonathan Fales!!!!

What a great way to start this week off!!!!

See you in the mountains,
Jonathan

PS...Trail Runner ran a great article about this race here
 

 

 

TNF 50 mile championship results here!!

Mad Props to Gary Gellin of Menlo Park... 9th place

Leigh Schmitt Of Santa Rosa... 18th place

Galen Burell of Mill Valley... 20th place

Gerad Dean and Jenn Shelton Win Pine to Palm

The Pine to Palm was run back in September. This is probably not news for hardcore ultramarathon fans. I just happened to see this article this morning on UltraRunning.com . I'm a fan of the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougal and Jenn Shelton is a supporting character in that book therefore I had to check it out. Thought I would share the news in case you're a fan as well.

See ya in the woods,

Jonathan

Born to Run By McDougall, Christopher (Google Affiliate Ad)