Comments

1. Stevie Ray says:

   August 1, 2012 at 11:06 pm

   Here’s what I don’t understand.

   It has been repeated in various places that switchback cutting is a-ok in Skyrunning events. And that this was (sort of?) a Skyrunning event. And that there might be more Skyrunning events in the states.

   How in the wide, wide world of sports did the USFS, Parks Service, and whoever else permit this event where cutting switchbacks is sanctioned? And why are we wanting more of this??

   Whether JK knew or not, should have done it or not, won or not, got DQed or not, yes, ok… but… I don’t get it.

   I am 110% sure this thing wouldn’t have gotten permitted and similar events won’t if switchback cutting is encouraged. At least not in a place like that.

   Reply
   • Chris says:

     August 2, 2012 at 11:53 am

     Time for more wilderness areas. If ultrarunning continues to move toward ‘skyrunning’, I see us losing a lot more access to trail races. Let’s be sure to follow the guidelines of proper trail use or else. Being a former mountain biker, I can tell you that we will lose if we take the attitude that we can do whatever we want.

     I envision race limitations so that even the smallest of trail races are hard to get into. I envision the park service cutting access to santioned races if we allow this.

     I used to think trail runners were THE stewards of the trails and friends of the Forest Service….hmmm….starting to wonder….

     Reply
     • Speedgoatkarl says:

       August 2, 2012 at 8:05 pm

       Chris, all races here in the US will be like “local rules” in golf. Follow our route, or you lose. I wouldn’t worry about losing permits because some ONE guy cut a course.

       Sanctioning, essentially means nothing, it’s just a way to make races “official”, which also means nothing. :-)

       Reply
       • Chris says:

         August 3, 2012 at 2:07 pm

         Thanks Karl. First, you did the RIGHT thing and I respect the heck out of you. I was speaking in terms of ‘if’ we as a communicty accept course cutting as OK. I’ve seen quite a few people say cutting switchbacks is no big deal. I am worried that a flippant attitude by runners will hurt our sport. Many parks limit the number of participants and one local park that allows races has told the organizers that ANY litter found on the course will result in the park closing to future races…

         Reply
2. amg says:

   August 2, 2012 at 8:18 pm

   A lot of people here throwing in their two cents: “He cheated”, “No he didn’t”, “He should’ve been DQ’ed”, “The rules were unclear” etc etc. It seems that we, the general public, dont have all the facts, and nor should we. The race director had to make a decision, and he did, and everyone should respect that. Lessons learned. Move on.
   I can’t imagine how sick Karl must’ve felt being put in the position he was in. The effort to organise any event is immense, and to have that soured would suck big time. The displeasure etc exhibited by some of the commentors here is trivial compared to that.

   Reply
3. Anonimous says:

   August 3, 2012 at 3:09 pm

   I don’t understand why he wasn’t DQ’ed?

   Lesser runners are often DQ’ed from events and they just come back next year to clear the record. And these DQs that I speak of are after 10, 15 and 20 hours of running.

   It makes me and others wonder how much time this Spain guy “cuts” off the clock at UT Mont Blanc via switchbacks. Are those record times and finishes ‘manufacturered’?

   Up for debate.

   Reply