Mecurial Mountain Running at Jupiter Peak Steeplechase
August 9, 2010 by Bryon Powell · 115 Comments
The Jupiter Peak Steeplechase is another repeat event in the La Sportiva Mountain Cup and with good reason – it’s one of the best mountain races out there. As a testament to that fact, this weekend’s race marks the third time I’ve run the event and I’m already looking forward to running it again in the future. Given that I attended the event and that there were FOUR Mountain Cup races this past weekend, this LSMC report will differ a bit from its standard format.
Start of the 2010 Jupiter Peak Steeplechase. Photo by Giulia Delladio.
We’ll begin our LSMC race coverage by giving you the scoop on how the race went, including video interviews with Megan Kimmel, Rachel Cieslewicz, and Jonathan Lantz. We’ll then move on to our giveaway contest (Skylites!) before calling for your comments and finishing up with the full La Sportiva Mountain Cup schedule. We won’t update the Mountain Cup standings in this article; rather, we’ll include them in one of the later updates once we have results from all four races.
The Race
This year’s Jupiter Peak Steeplechase would go to two series regulars who also ran the race last year, but first a bit about the race. It’s pretty simple format in that it’s up for nearly 7 miles and 3,000 feet to an elevation of 10,000 feet, followed by a 3/4 mile run across saddle, before 7+ mile descent back down to 7,000 feet.
Men’s Race Bernie Boettcher after winning the 2010 Jupiter Peak Steeplechase. Photo by Giulia Delladio.
A couple other names and facts worth mentioning. First off, seven of the first ten runners live in either Park City or nearby Salt Lake City. Two of those were Kevin Schilling (9th – 2:07:26), who should be in the mix to win the Wasatch 100 next month, and Hardrock champ Jared Campbell (2:22:45 – 33rd man). Some of iRF longest tenured readers may remember the name Martin Gaffuri, my TransRockies partner in 2008. On Saturday, he rounded out the top 10 in 2:07:43. For you shoe geeks, with the Outdoor Retailer show wrapping up the day before the race, two shoe company presidents ran the race – La Sportiva’s own Jonathan Lantz and Nicolas Mermoud (2:04:29) of Hoka One One, who placed sixth overall.
Women’s Race
Megan Kimmel led from the gun to repeat as the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase women’s champion. She ran 2:12:45, which was just a few seconds off her time from last year. The race puts her in a good position to repeat as the women’s Mountain Cup series champ, as well. Series regular and Salt Lake City resident Rachel Cieslewicz improved on her third place finish of last year by following Kimmel across the line. Cieslewicz also improved her time by more than 8 minutes from last year by running 2:16:27. Holly Merriman took third in 2:23:41. While each of the first three women were 30 years of age, 49-year-old Julia Holland took fourth overall and first master in 2:25:36. Keely Coxon, 23 of Washingon state, rounded out the top five in 2:28:34.
Holly Merriman (3rd), Megan Kimmel (1st), Rachel Cieslewicz (2nd) after the 2010 Jupiter Peak Steeplechase. Photo by Giulia Delladio.
We think it’s worth noting that Trail Runner Magazine editor Elinor Fish placed eight in 2:31:32. Jupiter Peak was her final long run before she attempts her first 100 miler in two weeks at the Leadville 100. Best of luck Elinor!
Interviews
Interview with Jonathan Lantz, President of La Sportiva, About the Mountain Cup
Interview with Megan Kimmel
Interview with Rachel Cieslewicz
Full Results and Other Reports
- Official men’s results from the 2010 Jupiter Peak Steeplechase are available.
- So, too, are the full women’s results
La Sportiva Mountain Cup Standings
As noted above, we’re not including the overall standings quite yet. Come back in a day or two to see them.
iRunFar.com La Sportiva Mountain Cup Contest
Many pairs of Crosslites were seen on the way to and from Jupiter Peak last weekend. Holly from North Vancouver, BC could be among that crowd next year as she’s won herself a pair. Congrats, Holly.
I ran in the La Sportiva Skylite (iRF Skylite review), so that’s our prize for the Jupiter Peak contest. Light and low to the ground, these were all the shoe I needed to get up and down the mountain.
To enter the contest, simply leave your name and town (in the US or Canada) in a comment before we report on the Taos Ski Valley Up and Over 10k being run August 21. As a reminder, if you enter to win the Skylites, you’ll also automatically be eligible to win the grand prize at the end of August. Read up on the iRunFar.com La Sportiva Mountain Cup giveaway grand prize.
Call for Comments
If you ran the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase, please leave a comment letting everyone know how you did and what you think about the race. Past racers are invited to comment, too!
The author after running the 2010 Jupiter Peak Steeplechase. Photo by Giulia Delladio.
Related articles:
- Krar and Kimmel Cruise Past Competition to Win Jupiter Peak Steeplechase, La Sportiva Mountain Cup Results from the 2012 Jupiter Peak Steeplechase, the finale of the 2012 La Sportiva Mountain Cup Race....
- Kimmel and Scott Win Jupiter Peak Steepechase and La Sportiva Mountain Cup iRunFar covers the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase, the tenth and final race in the 2011 La Sportiva Mountain Cup....
- Men’s Sportiva Mountain Cup Solidifies at Squaw Mountain Run iRunFar covers the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase, part of the 2010 La Sportiva Mountain Cup....
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
Sarah J
Marengo, IL
I’ve been fortunate to be a local and have run the race at least six times (i lost count years ago). Mountain Trails Foundation has done an excellent job each year with the race and La Sportiva was a great sponsor. The race is always fun.
That’s always a great race. Bernie actually won it in 2008, too, I believe- good to see him whupping up on us young punks.
Jon, Logan UT
Peter L
harrison, ny
Chris Freet
Honesdale, PA
Thanks for the great coverage, as usual.
Brent Broome
Albuquerque, NM
I think it is time to put this race on my calendar for next year.
Alex Jones
Pocatello, ID
Solid time for you too Bryon, though aparently you have no age!
Patrick- Denver
Thanks, Patrick. It was rough for me. I ran close to three minutes faster on a course that was a couple (5?) minutes longer last year. I wanted to drop literally 1.37 miles into the race even though I went out conservatively. I guess that’s what happens when you run 25-35 miles a week while avoiding hills for 8 months! :-) Even after the climb it was tough for me. I couldn’t cruise the lightly rolling descent early on the way down and actually stopped to walk around mile 11. My legs were fine, I just didn’t want to run. Fortunately, Jared Campbell got me running again. I’ll be looking for some redemption the next time I run it!
Bernie gives me hope that I’ll be running faster as I get older
Mike
Charlotte, NC
Good report on the race. It would great to try a pair of skylites!
Eddy, Los Angeles
Meg Shad
Geneva, IL
Coleen Voeks
Kansas City, KS
Spencer King
Scranton Pa
Great race report – my fave Crosslites would love a pair of Skylite friends
Sean Salmon
Jersey City, NJ
Lori J.
Portland, Oregon
Looks like a great race, thanks for the coverage!
Jason D.
Magalia, CA
Great race report as always Bryon.
Now send more new shoes to Canada.
Mark Ryan
Edmonton, AB
Bernie is timeless, like Meghan A.
Now that I beleive in random drawings, put me down:)
Olga V.
Austin, TX
great race report… love a pair of skylights
Adam Fitzgerald
Mt. Pleasant SC
Byron-your dedication to the sport we love serves as a great diversion when riding my desk 8hrs a day.
Brandon Rodgers
Los Osos, CA
Great Race!!
Trever Figgins
Payson Ut
Kevin D
Augusta, GA
Keith G
Holly Springs, NC
BJ,
Ogden, UT
Mike Bowsher
Wallingford, CT
Thanks for the report. I particularly appreciate the video interviews (as always).
Bill Day
Broken Arrow, OK
throw my name in the hat for skylights, please!
kristin zosel
eugene, or, usa
Shayne K,
Vancouver BC, Canada
That race looks amazingly fun
Great report and video, as usual Bryon. I love the Crosslites, I’m sure I’d love the Skylites!
Steve Pero
Jemez Springs, NM.
(Presently in NH on a work assignment)
John D.
Helena, Mt
Always looking to try new shoes!
Jeff – Scottsdale, AZ
Race is on the calendar next year, along with the mid-mountain marathon.
Ryan
San Francisco CA
Bryon! It was so great to see you again, as always. Thank you for all of your help and support. Thank you for so graciously sharing your passions and talents with our awesome trail running community!
i loves me some crosslites. have wanted to get into a pair of skylites. thanks for the opportunity. keep up the great bloggin’.
Jeremy.
Anch.AK
Ellicott City, MD
Charles L.
San Francisco, CA
Would really like to try a pair.
B. Lovelace
Sand Springs, OK.
Joey
Charlottesville, VA
Great article Bryon !
Martin GAFFURI
Annecy, France
JPS 2010
Kevin S.
Newark, DE
Bryon: Congratulations in winning the AG of guys who are zero. LOL. It must be a pretty good race if you are planning on doing it again.
Tony Mollica
Athens, Ohio
I was more excited to win the unofficial media division. :-)
Great report on the race!
I’ve GOT to go West! Well, and get my butt back out on the trails after WAY too many distractions over the past month or so… More solid reports making me want to be out racing!
Thanks Bryon!
Kevin
Greenbelt
Thanks for another nice race review.
Brian Followell
Upper Arlington, OH
Another great repoort – your web site makes me wonder if I should renew my subscriptions to Ultrarunning and Trail Running magazines…
Matt Smith
Chatham, NY
Jimmy M.
Richmond Va
Jason Nemecek
Gig Harbor, WA
patrick t.
la salle, mi
Mark Whalen
Goshen,NY
Enjoyed the report.
Henry Bickerstaff
Alva, OK