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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2002 4:01 am Post subject: Western States 100 |
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The crown jewel of American ultrarunning takes place this weekend. The Western States 100 will be run from Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA on trails through the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Temps are expected to be in the 90s.
Emma Davies finished a strong second last year and could this be the year she finally catchs Ann Trason? It's possible but I wouldn't bet on it.
Scott Jurek will be going for 4 wins in a row but the comp is strong. Clark Zealand is coming from VA to try WS for the first time. Chad Rickfels from CO is a threat also. And don't count out Tim Twietmeyer. He is over 40 but he was 2nd last year and he runs conservativly and always makes up ground in the later parts of the race. If the other guys push too hard early Twiet could be there to take advantage in the end. |
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Paul Olympic Medalist
Joined: 28 Apr 2002 Posts: 1610 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2002 4:11 am Post subject: |
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By the way, Micah, did I read where a woman (Bak, I believe) almost broke Trason's Comrades meet record recently?? |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2002 9:29 am Post subject: |
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That would be Maria Bak of Germany. She and Trason had a great head to head battle several years ago which Trason won in the final couple of miles. Bak had built a big lead and Ann caught her very close to the end. |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 4:15 am Post subject: |
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It is 8:15 eastern time and 5:15 pacific. The race has begun.
More updates as I get them. |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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I've been PUSHING the lawnmower for the past 4 hours and finally I get to sit down. The lovely and charming Ms. Ward has brought me an ice cold Heineken and a can of cashews so now I can get down to the business at hand.
The latest report is from 28 miles into the race. Three time defending champ Scott Jurek is in a lead pack that includes Hal Koerner, Chad Rickfels and Jorge Pacheco. Pacheco could be the surprise guy this year. He is a very talented runner from Arizona so he should be able to deal with the heat.
Tim Twietmeyer is hanging around just 20 minutes back as he usually does. He is a four time winner so don't count him out. Ann Trason is leading the women. No surprise.
Stay tuned. |
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Dan Chief Pontificator
Joined: 22 Mar 1999 Posts: 9334 Location: Salem, OR
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | I've been PUSHING the lawnmower for the past 4 hours |
Either you have a really big yard or a heck of a bald spot in the middle of the lawn!
Dan |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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Got almost an acre of grass that has to be cut. Actually I didn't finish. There is another hours worth I'll have to do tomorrow.
Devil's Thumb at mile 47. Jurek has opened a 9 minute lead on Rickfels with Koerner another 5 back and Pacheco now dropping 25 off the lead. Twietmeyer is 35 back which is just the spot he would want to be. His strength is the second half. Trason was 8 minutes up on Emma Davies and as of this report has moved into 9th overall just 42 minutes behind Jurek.
This is such great stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Paul Olympic Medalist
Joined: 28 Apr 2002 Posts: 1610 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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Micah, where are you going for your updates??
Paul |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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California!
HAHAHA just kidding.
www.ws100.com
The leaders are at Michigan Bluff 55 miles in. The real race starts now. Jurek has stretched the lead to 13 minutes but Rich Hannah has joined Rickfels in second. Twietmeyer has steadily moved into 6th but further behind the leader. His strength is still ahead though.
Trason is still in 9th and increasing her lead over the women. |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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It is getting interesting!!!!!!!!!!
Mile 62 at the foretsthill checkpoint. Jurek's lead is down to 5 minutes over Hannah with Rickfels only 1 more back. Trason has moved into 6th overall at 32 minutes back of the leader and Twietmeyer is next just 2 minutes behind Trason.
This is so exciting it makes you realize men have nipples too!!! |
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Dan Chief Pontificator
Joined: 22 Mar 1999 Posts: 9334 Location: Salem, OR
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | This is so exciting it makes you realize men have nipples too!!! |
Whoa, let's not go there...
What is considered close in an ultra, 5 minutes or less? I thought Trason was supposed to be getting old or something??
Dan |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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We got the top 7 runners within 35 minutes of each other and 38 miles to go. This is a relative dead heat.
Trason is amazing. This is why I would give her consideration as one of the greatest distance runners of all time. But we have already had that discussion. |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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They have made it through the Rucky Chuck river crossing at 78 miles. Yes that is THROUGH the river, not over the river. Water is usually about waist deep.
Jurek appears to be pulling away with a 39 minute lead over Colorado's Steve Peterson. Trason has fallen to 63 minutes back but is just 3 minutes out of 4th place.
Still 20 miles to go. |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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It is after midnight here in the east and Jurek appears to have it in hand. So I am off to bed and I will get the finals posted before you left coasters make it up for coffee. |
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Micah Ward Olympic Medalist
Joined: 08 May 2000 Posts: 2152 Location: Hot&humid, GA
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Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2002 3:50 am Post subject: |
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Jurek pulled away for his 4th victory in a row. Tweitmeter made it to 4th and Trason finished 6th.
I'll be back later for some other thoughts. Got to run now before it gets too hot. |
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