Western States Winner is . . .

I'm waiting for 100 posts about how Geb/Bekele/Lagat/Tergat/etc would run 14:00 at Western States.

Alan

I am willing to bet that any world class marathon would destroy the record for the WS100.

They are just a different level of talent, period.

All respect to those guys who run the WS 100 (my friend dropped out today at 34 miles, which is exactly 1 mile farther than I have ever run) so I have seen the committment that goes into preparing for a 100 miler.

But if you think that KG or PT would not break the record you are either delusional or a troll.

I have been doing ultras for about 16 years. I have done about 10 100's and have won 7 of them. I do not think that I am anywhere as good as world class marathoners. I have never really raced a marathon, but I ran a 2:36 as a training run once. I am not sure how marathoners would do on a hard trail race. Justin Gatlin is great for 100 meters, but can he go that pace for a mile or a marathon. MK can run a great road marathon, but there is a rhythm there. You are not climbing a mountain on rocks and wading through creeks. It is also 74 miles farther. I think it would be really interesting to see one of those guys try. In a road 50 I think they would probably do great, but 100 is a totally different ballgame. There is eating, drinking, and the whole idea that you will be out there for a long time. My best time is 14:19 which is 8:40ish for 100 miles. So even if you run a decent pace you will be out there for a while.

None of the mentioned runners would even finish Western States. The course would shred them, it is not the 100 miles that you have to overcome, it is the heat, fluid and fuel replacement, and very specific training, (so the long and severe down hills do not destroy your quads, and many other factors that have to be addressed to be able to negotiate this course.

I think the debate is whether the world class marathoners would destroy the records if they TRAINED for the race.

I don't think anyone is saying that they could go out there tomorrow and do it.

The difference between a 100 meter runner racing a mile and a marathoner racing an Ultra is that the marathoner racing the ultra uses the same fuel system, biomechanics, etc. as the ultra runner, so it is more natural of a step up.

I am not taking anything away from the Ultra guys, I think it is amazing. Tergat could come out there and tear everyone a new one though - if he wanted.

That is a very very impressive performance. Conditions were perfect yesterday---no snow on the course, high in the lower 80s in Auburn (last year it was well over 100 with a ton of snow still on the course up in the Sierras). But still, that's definitely sub-16 on the old course (no Duncan Canyon). I have to say, I really didn't expect Hal to win this thing (or, for Erik Skaden to be 2nd again, for that matter). But, wow, I'm impressed.

I really thought that Greg Crowther, who is a 2:22 marathoner, would have won this thing going away. However, he pulled out at mile 62 when he was in 18th place and about an hour off the lead. Marathon speed does not necessarily translate to a 100.2 mile race across the spine of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Its one tough race, and should be respected as such.

I too would like to see them try, but their entourage of coaches, managers, and sponsors would never let it happen. Look at the ridicule Dean K. got/is getting for failing badly at the Accelerade 100 miler deal in Times Square. Think he'll be invited for another high profile sponsorship event? He will get something as he is the ultimate self promoter, but nothing like what he had.

please mister wrote:

But if you think that KG or PT would not break the record you are either delusional or a troll.

Who the hell is KG? Kevin Garnett?

Nicely said, ultra_coach. I think there out to be a filter on threads like these so that only those of you who have actually done 100-milers can post. Since I've run no further than 26.2 miles, I'll return to my status as a lurker.

RunningArt2004 has been posting on this site for years. That hardly makes him a troll.

You are NOT using the same biomechanics in a pancace flat road marathon and a hilly 100 mile trail race.

Runningart2004 wrote:

I'm waiting for 100 posts about how Geb/Bekele/Lagat/Tergat/etc would run 14:00 at Western States.

...I was waiting for 100 posts from the "elite" D-2 distance runners who get EXTREMELY offended if you are talking about the 100-miler instead of the Adams State rivals:

A world class marathoner and ultra-marathoner would destroy the Western States participants. Remember when the Indians from Mexico showed up and swept the Top 3-5 places? Imagine if Africans showed up...

Here's a challenge to the Western States Race Director: offer a substantial load of cash to draw in the likes of B-C Class Africans and then have 'em race the likes of Jurek and Koerner.

I dare you.

He's pretty close to one. He recently said Alaskan fisherman were the highest paid employees in the US. I couldn't hardly type that due to extreme laughter at the sheer absurdity.

Haywood Jablowme wrote:

RunningArt2004 has been posting on this site for years. That hardly makes him a troll.

walter wrote:

He's pretty close to one. He recently said Alaskan fisherman were the highest paid employees in the US. I couldn't hardly type that due to extreme laughter at the sheer absurdity.

Haywood Jablowme wrote:

RunningArt2004 has been posting on this site for years. That hardly makes him a troll.

per hour of work, he might be more correct than you think about the fisherman. or maybe he could qualify it with highest paid blue collar worker or manual laborer...

I'm going to wait until I get older and fatter before I go out for a 16 hour jog.

Per hour, possibly, but not in the ranks of the top paid CEOs and lawyers in top companies. What's the crab season, four months? I don't watch "Deadliest Catch," but I have lived in Alaska for a number of months. It was a harbor town, and I don't recall the rush to get on a boat.His whole post was in the context of dangerous jobs, in which he said flight attendants made a good wage because their job was one of the most dangerous (due to plane crashes and hi-jackings). Could you take that seriously?

famma wrote:

walter wrote:

He's pretty close to one. He recently said Alaskan fisherman were the highest paid employees in the US. I couldn't hardly type that due to extreme laughter at the sheer absurdity.

per hour of work, he might be more correct than you think about the fisherman. or maybe he could qualify it with highest paid blue collar worker or manual laborer...

I ran a 2:45 marathon at altitude two weeks before the San Juan Solstice 50 this year. I didn't train for the 50 and thought I could just "tough it out." I recorded my first ever DNF and dropped at mile 22.

Can't way to see the Jurek vs. Metzler showdown at Hardrock.