On Monday, July 13th, four runners I know very well took part in the Badwater Ultramarathon, billed the Toughest Footrace. The distance of the race is 135M, starting at Badwater and finishing at Whitney Portals.
This year, the race saw their fair share of challenges. Temperatures rose to 51C in the daytime. Also, towards the end, there was a wildfire that started up just behind the finish line. There were runners who finished the entire distance before the fire while other runners were forced to turn back. Race organisers set up a temporary finish line at 131M until the fire was extinguished and the all clear was given to go back. Options for runners were offered. If they were stopped at 131M during the fire, they had the option to end the race right there. After the fire, they could then return to the point where they staked out and complete the distance. The only thing is that the clock would continue to run until the 60 hour cut off.
Of the four runners from Ontario, three of them finished. Congratulations to everyone who started out for the effort. Also, a special recognition goes out to the crew of these amazing runners who braved the conditions to be with them.
Here is a brief recap of each runner's status:
I am now determined to head down to Badwater next year. Not as a runner though. I would like to crew for a fellow runner, or help out the organisers with the race itself. I just love the concept of this race and would love to be a part of it.
All race photos and recaps can be found here.
This year, the race saw their fair share of challenges. Temperatures rose to 51C in the daytime. Also, towards the end, there was a wildfire that started up just behind the finish line. There were runners who finished the entire distance before the fire while other runners were forced to turn back. Race organisers set up a temporary finish line at 131M until the fire was extinguished and the all clear was given to go back. Options for runners were offered. If they were stopped at 131M during the fire, they had the option to end the race right there. After the fire, they could then return to the point where they staked out and complete the distance. The only thing is that the clock would continue to run until the 60 hour cut off.
Of the four runners from Ontario, three of them finished. Congratulations to everyone who started out for the effort. Also, a special recognition goes out to the crew of these amazing runners who braved the conditions to be with them.
Here is a brief recap of each runner's status:
Robert Lebrun - Rookie Runner - 8h00 Start. Outstanding finish of 35:19:46
Robert has appeared in the local news for the North Bay area where he resides. Click here to read it.Monica Scholz - Veteran Runner - 10h00 Start. Finished in a time of 36:10:47. She dashed past the flames and crossed the finish line with just enough time to get her medal and belt buckle just as everyone was ordered to evacuate the mountain.
Monica has appeared in the local news for the Hamilton area where she resides. Click here to read it.Iris "Swiss Miss Gone Bad" Cooper - Rookie Runner - 8h00 Start. She was 3km from the finish line when the crew was forced to drive a stake into the ground due to a fire evacuation order. She lost 13:40 from the time she passed the 131M mark to the finish. She finally crossed the finish line in a time of 52:09:23.
Geoff Linton - Rookie Runner - 10h00 Start. Geoff had an outstanding run until after 188K, when he was forced to end the race due to health issues. Geoff is now recovering back home and I sure hope he goes back to Badwater and gets some revenge.
Geoff has appeared in the local news for the Guelph area where he resides. Click here to read it.
I am now determined to head down to Badwater next year. Not as a runner though. I would like to crew for a fellow runner, or help out the organisers with the race itself. I just love the concept of this race and would love to be a part of it.
All race photos and recaps can be found here.
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