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As troublesome as it’s to consider, given how aggressive each the Western States 100 and Hardrock 100 lotteries are, yearly a small group of athletes handle to realize entry into each races. The truth is, this occurred to me as soon as again in 2009 and I ran each races a mere 13 days aside (lately, the races are 20 days aside). Doing the double was one of many harder issues I’ve performed in my operating profession, but in addition one of the fulfilling summers of my life. This yr, there are a handful of potential Western States 100/Hardrock 100 “doublers” on each entrants lists. I received’t attempt to match all of their tales into one column, however three of these names particularly stand out to me.
First, there may be 29-year-old Ohio runner Arlen Glick. Glick, who burst onto the elite extremely scene in 2021 with wins at Umstead 100 Mile, Mohican 100 Mile, Burning River 100 Mile, and Javelina 100 Mile, parlayed that success right into a third-place end on the 2022 Western States 100. Usually regarded as a flatland runner, based mostly on these 2021 outcomes, Glick’s Western States end — mixed along with his second-place end at his first actual mountain race, the 2022 Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile this previous September — proved that he has versatility past the flat and quick programs. Along with his 2023 entry secured at Western States by his top-10 end in 2022, Glick now finds himself dealing with the double, as he was one of many few one-ticket runners picked for this yr’s Hardrock. Assuming his coaching goes effectively, Glick might take a shot at Jeff Browning’s Western States/Hardrock document.
Arlen Glick runs into Michigan Bluff at mile 55 of the 2022 Western States 100. He went on to complete third. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Subsequent is Flagstaff, Arizona’s 46-year-old John Fegyveresi. “Feggy,” as he’s generally identified, is certainly one of solely three individuals ever — Mark Williams and David Horton being the others — to complete Western States, Hardrock, and the Barkley Marathons. Along with his Barkley end in 2012, Feggy proved that one doesn’t want elite pace or excessive mountain pedigree to finish the Barkley. Having completed Western States in 2017 in 27:51 — after being pulled off the waitlist the day earlier than the race — after which Hardrock in 2018 in 39:59, Feggy now has the possibility to finish each races in a single yr. No one doubts Feggy’s toughness. The problem for him shall be to run managed sufficient at Western States to have sufficient within the tank to finish the loop at Hardrock.
The countdown to the beginning of the 2017 Western States 100. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Lastly, there may be Wyoming’s 61-year-old ultrarunning legend, Pam Reed. Reed, who ran her first extremely over 30 years in the past on the 1992 Wasatch Entrance 100 Mile, goes for her second Western States/Hardrock double. Again in 2015, Reed ran a 26:39 Western States and adopted it up with a 39:25 Hardrock. I first met Reed again in 2000, on the now defunct Phoenix Nationwide Path 50 Mile, and have adopted her profession ever since. With two Hardrock finishes and 7 Western States finishes, she is much and away essentially the most skilled of this yr’s doublers. I’ve to imagine, that supplied she manages to complete her eighth Western States in 2023, she shall be in scorching pursuit of the ever elusive 1,000 mile buckle within the subsequent few years. Realizing how robust Pam is, I might not wager towards it.
Going into the 2023 ultrarunning season, there are a lot of thrilling tales to observe. For me, the tales of those three doublers are on the high of the record. Whereas most individuals really feel fortunate to only get into certainly one of these races, Glick, Feggy, and Reed now get the possibility to take pleasure in each. It is going to be enjoyable to observe!
Bottoms up!
A household on the end line of the 2021 Hardrock 100, in entrance of the rock. Picture: Logan Jones-Wilkins
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from AJW’s Taproom favourite Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend, Vermont. Every autumn since 2009, the Hill brothers have launched Twilight of the Idols, a winter porter brewed in traditional Danish type. I used to be given a bottle as a present just lately and the espresso, chocolate bittersweet concoction merely melted in my mouth. Notoriously troublesome to get, Twilight of the Idols is effectively well worth the effort.
Name for Feedback
- Are you aware anybody else who’s entered for the Western States 100/Hardrock 100 double this yr?
- What are your predictions for a way these doublers will fare?!
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