AC100 2015

(note: you might want to read this post from 2013 before reading today's, if you don't know much about ultra runs!! It has terms and history and stuff)

This year's Angeles Crest 100 mile endurance run set out to be a record year in terms of numbers. Due to a little glitch at registration (registration opens at noon the day after the race and fills up in just a few hours), there were 238 runners registered to race. It is usually capped at 200. Sixty-six didn't show to start on Saturday morning. With about 170 on course, we could have seen almost double last year (74 finishers), by mile 95. We didn't. It was hot! Skies were clear and it was beautiful, but it was  hot.

A cool aspect of this year's overnight at Millard Campground is that we had all the same volunteers back from last year! I guess we showed them a good time :) So it was our regular Aid Station Leaders Bob and Jeff, plus returning were Steve and Lexi (father/daughter) and Irene and her 8yo daughter Coco, plus they brought 12yo Sam (Irene's nephew). And, of course, Dad and I. A few more showed up the next morning.

Lead runner, Erik Schulte, ran in at exactly midnight. He had been playing mouse with Michael Carson for many miles, but Erik ended up the victor. Last year's winner, Ruperto Romero came in shortly after the first two left. Then we saw NO ONE for about 2 hours!! And who was 4th? The first female, Ashley Nordell! She had led the women's race most of the day. The second woman was 8th in. This is not a man's sport that women think is fun - women COMPETE!!

We had a steady stream, every 15-20 minutes until dawn or so when it was more like every 5 minutes. At several times during the late morning, we had 3 and 4 runners there at the same time. Made for a busy and fun morning. So did the fact that the software kept disconnecting us! We always got it back up and running. Except the last time I hit the wrong button (though it's usually the right button) and all our data left us - just us, not the main database, luckily! But we dealt with it and all was well.

Late in the morning, we heard over the radio about a downed runner. Apparently he had fallen, hit his head, and was lying in a patch of poison oak. That's what you call a bad day! He got to the next aid station and refused medical aid and set out, toward us. The gentleman was none other than the legend Jussi Hamalainen, who had finished this race every year it was run - 27 years! You might recall a story about him from last year's race posts. Well, he didn't make it to us. Search and rescue types happened upon him, crawling down the trail. He got in the vehicle and rode to the finish. The hard part, for me, was that I had to be the one to put in that he'd dropped out!! The aid station before us, who technically was where he dropped, had already closed up their computers!! Oh well, it added to the memories of the weekend. I really hope he's okay and that we see him next year!!

There were other memorable runners, of course. Here are a few:

#143 lives in Fort Worth TX!! He'd also taken some time getting to one of the other aid stations, so I asked him about it. He stopped and took a nap :)

#223 was the last person who left us for the finish. She didn't think she had time but we assured her, based on the few people before her, she totally did. And she did!! She finished with almost 15 minutes to spare!!

I can't remember his number but Hugo left us thinking he could do it in 24 hours but it was going to be close. He did it! #107 behind him did not. 24:08 is still a really good time though!!

#149 took 3.5 hours to get to us from the previous aid station. We started asking runners after about 3 hours and one said they'd seen someone taking a nap but the pacer said all we well. When he finally got to us, it was obvious he was hurting. He stayed maybe 5 minutes and went on. He finished!!

Actually, my track record is such that every runner who leaves my aid station has finished. I'm proud of that! (it helps to work the late aid stations!)

Oh, #114. He'd been last into the last couple aid stations. He left the one before us with almost 20 minutes before their cutoff. Before he got to us, we'd been told he would drop and his family was waiting for him at Millard. Sure enough, he came in looking very tired, past cut off. His family looked happy to see him though.

There are so many others. We saw 98 runners this year - 2 dozen more than last year! Every one of them has a story. First 100 miler, first AC100, aiming for a PR or 24 hour, and I can only imagine the personal stories of why they do this. It's not easy (I'm assuming cuz I can't run a block) but they do it anyway. My favorite runners are the ones who show up at mile 95 looking like they rolled down a mountain, but smiling and laughing like they're having the times of their lives. I sure know I enjoy my time at AC100!!

As usual, Dad and I got home and collapsed. Tomorrow (Tuesday), I must leave paradise and drive back to the furnace that is TX.