Placing top 10 at Western States doesn't make you elite.
Placing top 10 at Western States doesn't make you elite.
Wrong. It was famous when social media was asking another runner for the issue of UltraRunning where Gary wrote a (short) article about it. ‘86 or ‘87.
We've been over this wrote:
Placing top 10 at Western States doesn't make you elite.
+1. Even I could get the top 10 no problemo.
Why the hate? It's a corky and fun event to follow.
The Mooch wrote:
Why the hate? It's a corky and fun event to follow.
Yep, it's a corky and fun event but way overrated.
an anomaly of all anomalys wrote:
All distance runner wrote:
I personally think Laz cherry picks people he know wont succeed (i.e. worlds toughest mudders, thru hikers, and gary robbins) to race Barkleys because he wants the reputation to remain as a race that rarely has finishers.
Gary Robbins is a good runner...but an elite? no. He has won some 100s like HURT but comes in hours later in the competitive ones.
Will Laz ever invite a Kilian, Francois or Xavier? Probably not.
It's unique for sure. I was listening to a podcast with Nick Hollon now Nick De La Rosa, and he cited why it was so difficult with the time cut off and many other variables. The Tennessee Mts are TRUE beast coast esque style with never ending up and down, briars and just wicked weather. It's not just a single track climbing up steep hills. Toss in the navigating and the intense fog that can derail runners. You get very sleep deprived, toss in the elements, it's the perfect storm.
There's an estimated 60,000 ft of climbing and nobody knows the true distance, most of the runners believe it's 105-120 miles.
Gary Robbins was 6th at Western States in 2010 and has the HURT record. Know your history.
I know my history. "He has won some 100s like HURT but comes in hours later in the competitive ones". I wrote that out nice and clear
Banana Bread wrote:
We've been over this wrote:
Placing top 10 at Western States doesn't make you elite.
+1. Even I could get the top 10 no problemo.
Please cite your stats with the year included, until then, go run in circles.
I'm guessing twitter is the best way to follow the race?
You HAVE to be familiar with the area. That is why all of the finishers had attempted multiple times prior.
it is a pretty exclusive event that is hard to get into...kinda like Hardrock. This is actually ironic because the ultra-trail running community likes to say they are "opening and welcome to all" but there is a certain element of "elitism" and exlusivity in some circles for sure.
And no, I have no desire to do Barkleys...I'd probably get lost and freeze on the first loop. Doing a scavenger hunt power-hike in the mud/brambles off-trail in remote Tennessee is not my cup of tea. I'm sure it's really hard though.
and by "exlusivity" I actually mean "exclusivity" ...dang I'm bad at spelling and grammar.
3 time finisher Jared Campbell is back and, supposedly, so is 2017 finisher John Kelly (who impressively not too long ago just did a 200 mile race in 60 hours and did something like 209 miles in Frozen Head State Park a few weeks ago).
Karel Sabbe (current record holder of PCT and AT) is entered, supposedly, as well.
Impressive line up of trail/ultra runners.
I used to think it was a pure display of machismo, but people know what their getting & it keeps getting more famous. Staying power. If Gary had a dime for every skeptic like me, he’d own Tennessee by now.
John grew up nearby and has been in town. Maybe he will do it again. Sub-9:00 Ironman—that’s fairly elite.
He doesnt "invite" anyone, you have to apply and its a nightmare to even try to apply. It's a very niche event and those elite runners dont want to enter and he doesnt want them there. As for designed for failure I think thats just not true because fairly qualified ultrarunners go each year and get their asses kicked.
It seems that no sponsored elite runner would ever go because theres no prize money and it the build up and everything would just be lost money and fitness that they could be used for running in paying races. The people who run the race, run it because they truly want to
Nicky Spinks is doing it this year. She is record holder for the double Bob Graham and double Ramsay rounds. Potentially first woman to complete? I think she has a chance will be interesting to watch.
Sure it’s an intense orienteering event But it’s not an ultrarace and the cult of personality surrounding the race is annoying. It’s not a race if people don’t finish some years ans the amount a press it gets in pop running media is stupid.
Overexposed wrote:
Sure it’s an intense orienteering event But it’s not an ultrarace and the cult of personality surrounding the race is annoying. It’s not a race if people don’t finish some years ans the amount a press it gets in pop running media is stupid.
I don't know why people get so worked up about this event. It seems like an interesting and challenging event with a great tradition. Who cares that it isn't the traditional ultra. So what. Sit back and enjoy the carnage.
Overexposed wrote:
the amount a press it gets in pop running media is stupid.
Like the Boston marathon?
I went hiking today at Frozenhead and saw a number of crews and support though no participants. Today was warm. I’d expect that to be a factor.