What Races Should I Run in 2008?
April 7, 2008 by Bryon Powell · 16 Comments
A super quick, off-the-cuff post here. I need to develop my race schedule for the rest of the year by the end of the day and it’s still wide open. What should I run?! I’m all eyes… for the next 12 hours or so!
My current schedule includes the following:
- 4/20 – Joe Schwartz 3k – Haverford, PA
- 5/17 – Pace Mike Mason at MMT 100 – Massanutten Mts, Virginia
- 6/28 – Pace Andy Jones-Wilkins at WS 100 – Sierra Nevada Mts, California
I’ve got nothing on my schedule after that! Note that I am hoping to get a slot in the TransRockies Run in Colorado at the end of August (August 25-30) so any suggestions should keep that in mind.
I do need to run a 100 miler this year. I was thinking the Iroquois Trails 100 or Grindstone 100 (leaning towards Iroquois Trails), but would consider any 100 miler after mid-August… though later would be preferable both to allow for more training and the possibility of the TransRockies Run.
A rough plan would be for me to run a 100 miler in late August through early October and then jump in one of the November 50 milers (likely JFK or Mountain Masochist) with other races of 50 miles or less thrown in through the spring and summer. I could always sneak in another race or two in the fall as well…. thinking about Annette Bednosky’s New River Trail 50k October 11 if it otherwise fits in. I tend to stay local for non-focus races – meaning a 5 or 6 hour drive from DC, though I’m flexible. Anyone know of a good spring or summer ultra in Nebraska or within a couple hours drive of Omaha?
Thoughts? Ideas? Race suggestions? Think I should hang up my racing shoes? Let me know!
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Filed under Bryon ·
Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell
El Scorcho 50k — http://www.elscorchorun.com.
A midnight run in July in Fort Worth, Texas.
Goat,
I may be a bit biased on this one:
Cheat Mountain Moonshine Madness 50 Mile Trail Run
August 22-23 in Beverly, WV
http://www.wvmtr.org
– Adam
triple lakes 40 mile
greensboro,nc
badwater
D
Ganda,
A little far to travel for 25 or 50k, but looks like a neat race.
Adam,
If I don’t get into TransRockies, Cheat Mountain Moonshine Madness may be the perfect tune up for my fall 100. I’ll save my remaining moonshine until then!
Anon 1,
Tiple Lakes looks cool, but it’s likely to conflict with my 100. I’ll keep it in mind in case I run my 100 earlier or later than expected.
D,
No Badwater for me. Not this year, because entry is closed. Not ever, because Badwater ain’t my thing. ;-)
How about Superior Sawtooth 100 in MN, September 5th? 40k elevation change, all single track, incredibly beautiful scenery, roots and rocks the entire course… Good times! Will be my first 100.
Grand Tetons 100
Western States from Bath Road to Green Gate!
AJW
Harmer,
I’ll keep Sawtooth in mind for the future. If I don’t run TransRockies, I’ll likely go hang out at the Grand Teton and Wasatch 100s. I paced at GT and Wasatch last year and it was the perfect vacation! Would be good final prep for a fall 100, too!
Tony,
See above, if I don’t run TransRockies, I’ll likely come put in some uber-miles at Teton… just without a competitor’s number!
AJW,
I plan to win pacer division for the fastest split from Bath Road to Green Gate. I hope you’ll join me. ;-)
And please do not forget your obligations in Chamonix, France come August, old sport.
Very nice…Knowing that there is a shot that you’ll be at GTR, I selfishly say – (a) I hope you don’t get into TransRockies, and (b) after you are done pacing AJW (if he returns to GTR), I have first dibs on your pacing skills !!!
Of course, I’m totally kidding about hoping you don’t get into TR.
July- rattlesnake 50k- wv
Aug- cheat mtn 50 mile- wv
Sept-Iriqious Trail 50 mile- NY
Oct- Grindston 100 mile- Va
Nov- JFK 50 mile- MD
DEC- VHTRC 50k- Va
see you there!!!!
Mike,
Is it true that what happens in Chamonix stays in Chamonix?
Tony,
You would, of course, have first dibs on the Powell pacing train if I’m at GT.
Greg,
Take a look at my next post. Looks like you be sick of me by the time the year is out. Just imagine when you live in the DC metro area. Oy vey!
Adam,
Looks like Cheat Mountain is in … unless I’m in the Rockies or the Alps.
You could do the GEER 100K in late September and the New England 100 on November 8. I am a big fan of GEER (as are Mason and Loomdog)and the NE100 course appears to be very tough. Might mess up the fall 50 Miler but not sure how “critical” that is.
Do TransRockies!! It’s lots of fun. It’s like going to Running Camp.
Leslie of Banff
Leslie,
Thanks for stopping by. I hope the TransRockies run opportunity comes through. I’m going to check up on it in the next week or two. Also, I’ve been stopping by your blog from time to time after seeing it on Mike’s blog. I love the pics – I’m so jealous of the running and views you have up there! Lovely!