The Ultra Race of Champions

I have read many blogs from competitors of the Ultra Race of Champions.  They are absolutely amazing reads. I would recommend to anyone that is interested in this event to look into these writings.  My entry will reflect on this world class event through my eyes as a volunteer.

The Ultra Race of Champions (UROC) defined:  The race that brings the world's most elite ultra distance runners together on a 100K (62 mile) mountainous terrain based trail race that is intense enough to test them properly.  This creates a world championship event.  As if that wasn't enough, they then opened it to the public and let ultra run enthusiasts join in the fun by starting an open division that would begin 15 minutes after the elites left the starting gate.

As one would expect, the race drew from runners around the globe.  The elite were aggressive and confident on the course and all had ambitions of winning their share of a $20,000 purse and the right to be recognized as the best of the best in the world of ultra running.  The open division runners ranged from ambitious runners that were trying to make a mark, get a PR, or just trying survive their first attempt at this distance.

My role in this event was not as a competitor but rather as a volunteer, a race perspective that I have never had before.  My assigned location was in the mountains at elevation 2,800 ft called Slacks overlook starting at 8:30 am. I helped runners find their way into the correct trail head and ensured that they were physically okay to continue.  I was not an aid station and was not well equipped, but I made the best of it.  By opening the hatch on my van and playing music that could be heard from a fair distance away, I hoped runners might gain some sort of boost as they came past. When the elites came across they were looking insanely strong for having just traversed 22 miles of rocky mountain trails.

Though the elites were impressive it was also awesome to see the resilient spirits of the more mortal on the field.  I did my best to run out to each of the runners, check on them, and offer assistance.  I jogged them by my station with as many positive/energetic vibes as I could offer.  At this point in the race, most did not seem to need it, but were appreciative to have such an enthusiastic volunteer.  I think :-)

By mid afternoon the elites had already progressed back through my location which was now the 51 mile mark.  They still looked just as strong as they did at mile mile 22. (Simply amazing.)  I directed them into the final trail head -- a four mile stretch to an aid station that would direct them into the final 8 mile stretch that would be a tough stretch of asphalt that featured some pretty tough changes of altitude. 
Though the elites are insanely impressive, one must also have enormous respect for the open division.  The heart and unstoppable spirit of these skilled individuals, there to conquer the mountain without regard to recognition or monetary reward, is simply awesome.

The same as before, I found myself running out to meet the runners.  However, I ran much further than before as I navigated the same mile or so of trail over and over, running the participants in one runner at a time.  I fed them information, checked their condition/ability to continue, encouraged them to look strong for the camera, and offered them water.

Around 10:30 pm, the last group passed through my section at Slacks overlook with a sweeper following close behind.  This was my cue to break down the equipment in my section and take it to the finish line where the equipment trucks were prepared to be loaded.

On my drive, I noticed several runners on the final stretch.  They were all far removed from one another. This was something that I noted as they emerged at the 51 mile mark as well.  They experienced a long hard, lonely day of running, that was a personal journey more than it was a race.  What really punctuated this was when I witnessed the runners cross the finish line.  They were welcomed only by a photographer, a race director, and maybe a family member or friend if they were lucky.  Very unceremonious, but perhaps the happiest or most relieved they'll ever be to reach a finish line.

The first elite male (Max King) representing "Montrail"  finished  in 7 hrs 57 min 14 sec.
The first elite female (Ellie Greenwood) representing "Montrail" finished  in 9 hrs 04 min 19 sec.

I am uncertain of how the open division turned out, but I salute each and every person that completed this course.

I am impressed and amazed by the elites and their super-human execution of this course in unbelievable times.

In a separate way, I am equally inspired by the run enthusiasts that trained hard and survived the mountain and overcame the despair that it presents.  The time cap on this run was 19 hours.  This type of race is only accomplished by a very small percentage of the population, people with the mental fortitude, strength, and resolve to never stop progressing until they find the finish line.  These people put the word endurance into the sport.  Though they are not top competitors, and were not contenders for the championship, I would say that they are seriously elite compared to the millions of people that have ever taken up running during the course of their life time.

Thank you Bad to The Bone Endurance Sports (BTTB) for giving me a unique glimpse into this amazing sport.  I have truly never witnessed anything as awesome as the Ultra Race of Champions.