2009 MMT Update 4 – 211 East (58.1 miles)

At 2:34 this afternoon Karl Meltzer stormed through the unofficial aid station at 211 East (58.1). Less than 10 minutes […]

By on May 16, 2009 | Comments

At 2:34 this afternoon Karl Meltzer stormed through the unofficial aid station at 211 East (58.1). Less than 10 minutes later a severe thunder storm rumbled through 211 East and the nearby Visitors Center AS (48.2). Rain or shine, Karl now has a commanding lead of almost an hour (53 minutes) that he’s steadily built all day. The rumor from the course is that he’s going for the course record for the current course… which is a different course from the one on which Sim Jae Duk set the overall MMT 100 record. (click below for more)

Todd Walker MMT Massanutten 2009

Todd Walker at 211 East

Behind Karl there’s quite a race shaping up. Glen Redpath came through 211 smiling at 3:27 with Inov-8 runner Todd Walker (pictured above) only 8 minutes back. He had a short bad spell, but is feeling better. Mike Mason says he’s feeling “the best I’ve ever felt” and that his heart rate has been pegged at a sustainable 150 bpm all day. Mason is only 16 minutes back of Glen.

There’s another tight pack about half an hour further back. Chris Reed has held on to fifth position at 211 (4:10). Amy Sproston (4:12) continues to have no competition from other women. Her crew puts her 20 minutes ahead of Sue Johnston’s women’s course record through 58 miles. Joe Kulak (4:14) says he’s coming around, which should put fear into those running around him. Keith Knipling (8th 4:18) finished off the tight bunching.

Adam Casseday is running ninth (4:28) – less than 20 minutes back of fifth place. At mile 48 he said his legs felt great. He could move up quickly if his energy comes around.

Bryon Powell

Bryon Powell is the Founding Editor of iRunFar. He’s been writing about trail running, ultrarunning, and running gear for more than 15 years. Aside from iRunFar, he’s authored the books Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and Where the Road Ends: A Guide to Trail Running, been a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, written for publications including Outside, Sierra, and Running Times, and coached ultrarunners of all abilities. Based in Silverton, Colorado, Bryon is an avid trail runner and ultrarunner who competes in events from the Hardrock 100 Mile just out his front door to races long and short around the world, that is, when he’s not fly fishing or tending to his garden.