An Odd 14 Months for North American 100 Mile Races – iRunFar

It’s been relatively an unusual 14 months on the planet of 100-mile path working in North The usa. Beginning with the Western States 100 closing 12 months and completing with the Leadville 100 Mile closing weekend, now we have observed 3 performances that experience discovered their method into my listing of the highest 3 males’s and girls’s performances of all time and, in so doing, have knocked off 3 mythical performances from yesteryear.

Previous to June 2023, my most sensible 3 North American girls’s 100-mile performances of all time appeared like this:

1. Ann Trason – 1994 Leadville 100 Mile
2. Ellie Greenwood – 2012 Western States 100
3. Ann Trason – 1994 Western States 100

Then alongside got here the 2023 Western States 100 and Courtney Dauwalter’s mind-bending 15:29 direction file run. With that, Trason’s 1994 Western States 100 run used to be got rid of the listing, and Greenwood’s 2012 Western States 100 efficiency used to be relegated to 3rd.

A 12 months later, this previous June, Katie Schide — who completed 2d on the 2023 Western States 100 at the back of Dauwalter — gained in 15:46, and bumped Greenwood off the listing completely. As of lately, subsequently, my girls’s podium looks as if this:

1. Courtney Dauwalter – 2023 Western States 100
2. Ann Trason – 1994 Leadville 100 Mile
3. Katie Schide – 2024 Western States 100

Katie Schide, 2024 Western States 100 champion. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks

At the males’s aspect, sooner than closing weekend’s ancient run on the Leadville 100, my North American males’s most sensible 3 100-mile performances of all time appeared like this:

1. Jim Walmsley – 2019 Western States 100
2. Jim O’Brien – 1989 Angeles Crest 100 Mile
3. Matt Chippie – 2005 Leadville 100 Mile

With David Roche’s implausible direction file run on the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile, Chippie’s title used to be got rid of the listing, making my present podium appear to be this:

1. Jim Walmsley – 2019 Western States 100
2. Jim O’Brien – 1989 Angeles Crest 100 Mile
3. David Roche – 2024 Leadville 100 Mile

David Roche successful the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile and surroundings a brand new direction file. Photograph: Existence Time

Whilst those scores are only mine, and indubitably topic to research and grievance, it’s fascinating to notice what number of of those performances have took place lately, irrespective of the place one would possibly rank them.

A lot has been stated concerning the present state of long-distance path working and ultrarunning, and the expanding professionalism within the game. I imagine this — together with vital enhancements in coaching, diet, footwear, and power — has made remarkable performances extra widespread.

At this level, it’s laborious to mention the place the ceiling could be. That being stated, it additionally highlights how spectacular the performances of Chippie, Trason, and O’Brien had been within the context of historical past. I, for one, am curious to peer the place this file development will pass as we see the continuing enlargement and evolution of the game. I sit up for being alongside for the experience.

Bottoms up!

AJW’s Beer of the Week

This week’s beer of the week comes from David Roche’s place of origin of Boulder, Colorado. Mountain Solar Pub and Brewery is a Boulder brewery focusing on small batches of scrumptious beer. Annapurna Amber is a smooth-drinking Vienna Lager that transports one again to the Alps. Crisp and refreshing, Annapurna Amber is the quintessential summer season mountain beer.

Name for Feedback

• What are your most sensible 3 female and male ultrarunning performances ever?
• What different unusual runs have took place prior to now 12 months?