runwithdogs
11-30-2009, 01:22 AM
“Boom! – Seven mile climb! – Boom – Descend 4 more – Boom – 5 mile climb!” was my introduction to the course the night before by the passionate and energetic, yet appealingly sleep-deprived Race Director Robert Gillcrest at the Inaugural Blue Canyon 100K (http://www.bluecanyontrailrace.com/)…ish Trail Race in Santa Barbara, CA (with 50 mile and 50K options as well). Looking to find out when I could be expected to arrive at the 50 and 60 mile aid stations, Robert quickly suggested, “Just double your 50mile time, these trails are brutal.” Well, this was going to be a tad more difficult than I had expected. According to the website (http://bluecanyontrailrace.com/), the race was designed to be tough on the competitor (with 18,000 feet of elevation gain according to the final estimates) and easy on the environment (and since the entry fee was waived for the inaugural year, easy on the wallet as well.) That said, I think the environment definitely came out on top.
Let me begin with the positives (which there are quite a few.) The cost of the race was entirely waived, and according to the locals, primarily picked up by the RD, Robert whose passion for trail running and the Santa Ynez Mountains outside Santa Barbara cannot be questioned. The aid stations were stocked amazingly, and manned occasionally with volunteers, campers, or at least in regards to one aid station – a volunteer with heart more so than fluency in English. Furthermore, having never had the opportunity to run in Santa Barbara, I was taken aback by the breathtaking and humbling mountains of the area. All day, volunteers and runners alike were treated to steep climbs and breathtaking views (with an ocean one direction and a mountain range the other.) So, on to the race.
Heading up a climb to mile 50 on a rare section of fire road
3:30am: In order to get ready and drive into the winding vastness of the Santa Ynez Mountains and arrive with ample time at the start line (~10 minutes), an early morning was on schedule. Upon arriving at the Rancho Oso horse ranch (http://www.rancho-oso.com/), the twelve other runners attempting to conquer the four peaks over the 64.25 miles lined up at the start line. Sandy, the Co-RD gave us the go ahead, and we were off. Andrew Henshaw and Perry Edinger (1st Overall, 2008 Grand Slam of Ultra Running (http://www.ultrarunning.com/ultra/features/news/six-runners-complete-alte.shtml)) sprinted out of the gates and were quickly ahead of the main pack. Their quick start, however, caught up with them as they didn’t decipher the difference between the dark blue ribbons (marking the trail) and the red ribbons (marking not the trail) in the darkness. Missing the first turn must have hurt, but they had regained the lead by the time the first climb was underway.
Read the rest of this report here (http://www.trailruntimes.com/?p=522#more-522).
Race report by Zachary Landman.
http://zachlandman.blogspot.com/
Let me begin with the positives (which there are quite a few.) The cost of the race was entirely waived, and according to the locals, primarily picked up by the RD, Robert whose passion for trail running and the Santa Ynez Mountains outside Santa Barbara cannot be questioned. The aid stations were stocked amazingly, and manned occasionally with volunteers, campers, or at least in regards to one aid station – a volunteer with heart more so than fluency in English. Furthermore, having never had the opportunity to run in Santa Barbara, I was taken aback by the breathtaking and humbling mountains of the area. All day, volunteers and runners alike were treated to steep climbs and breathtaking views (with an ocean one direction and a mountain range the other.) So, on to the race.
Heading up a climb to mile 50 on a rare section of fire road
3:30am: In order to get ready and drive into the winding vastness of the Santa Ynez Mountains and arrive with ample time at the start line (~10 minutes), an early morning was on schedule. Upon arriving at the Rancho Oso horse ranch (http://www.rancho-oso.com/), the twelve other runners attempting to conquer the four peaks over the 64.25 miles lined up at the start line. Sandy, the Co-RD gave us the go ahead, and we were off. Andrew Henshaw and Perry Edinger (1st Overall, 2008 Grand Slam of Ultra Running (http://www.ultrarunning.com/ultra/features/news/six-runners-complete-alte.shtml)) sprinted out of the gates and were quickly ahead of the main pack. Their quick start, however, caught up with them as they didn’t decipher the difference between the dark blue ribbons (marking the trail) and the red ribbons (marking not the trail) in the darkness. Missing the first turn must have hurt, but they had regained the lead by the time the first climb was underway.
Read the rest of this report here (http://www.trailruntimes.com/?p=522#more-522).
Race report by Zachary Landman.
http://zachlandman.blogspot.com/