The PA/USATF Ultra Grand Prix schedule was posted last week, and to my surprise, the Way Too Cool 50k (WTC) is not in the mix for 2008 (but the Sierra Nevada Double Marathon has been added, which is great). No big deal, I thought, but I soon found myself indifferent about running WTC. I'll be running those same trails all year long, and there are other races around that same time that I have yet to try. It seems a shame to claim a spot in one of the most popular 50k's in the nation when I'm "indifferent".So given that, if anyone would like my slot at WTC (Greg Soderlund is very cool about transferring entries), just send me an e-mail at scottdunlap (at) yahoo (dot) com. Just reimburse me for the entry cost and it's all yours! First come, first serve...
SD
UPDATE - The entry has been claimed! For those of you still looking, keep your fingers crossed. I'll let you know if I hear of others.
Is it still available?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Scott, I emailed you directly but in case I was too slow (as often on the trails) I'm up for anybody else who is heading down the same path (pun intended). I tried to get in and missed but would love to run WTC! tonyoverbay at gmail dot com. Crossing my fingers...and toes...
ReplyDeleteTony
Hi Scott, I am just a marathoner and would very much like to run my first Ultra this year. I'm considering either the Ohlone 50K or the Quicksilver 50K, both scheduled about one month after the Boston Marathon (which I'll be running). Which one do you recommend for a first time Ultra runner? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteGB -
ReplyDelete"Just a marathoner" - I think you're going to fit in just fine with the ultra community! ;-)
You've chosen two wonderful, but very challenging, 50k's to select from. Honestly those are two of the tougher ones around. Both have the challenges of steep climbs, little shade, and the potential for serious heat. Ohlone can get super-steamy, while SS has the additional challenge of snow some years. Either way you have your work cut out for you. Both are phenomenally run and have plenty of aid stations, so you will have plenty of help.
I would let the terrain help you choose. Would you rather run the golden and green hills of Ohlone (check out my pics here), or the desert expanse of SS (pics here)? Whichever you do, you can tackle the other one the next year since I bet you will be hooked.
Hope that helps. Maybe I will see you in Boston!
SD
Such great information Scott, thank you. I read both reports from your '07 Quicksilver 50K and your '06 Ohlone 50K, and it sounds like Ohlone is a bit tougher. My draw to Ohlone is that I grew up in Fremont and hiked the trails you ran many, many times (but never have I run them). My draw to Quicksilver is that I work in San Jose and have always heard great things about that race. I had better make my mind up fast because I hear Ohlone reg. closes quickly. Thanks again for the tips and I will be reading your blog like crazy this spring. Hope to see you in Boston!
ReplyDeleteGB -
ReplyDeleteThat's great. Sorry for some reason I read Silver State instead of Quicksilver, but both are similar.
Best of luck!
SD
Scott,
ReplyDeleteI got into the Tour du Mont Blanc, but I am so not ready to do this. Let me know if you are interested. This after WS100 couldn't hurt. :)
Hey, Scott, partly for PAUSATF reasons (and partly because travelling past Sacramento exacts a domestic political cost), I might be looking to dump my entry to Cool. If anyone reading this sees this, click my link and send me a message via my blog.
ReplyDeleteHey Mark, I left a comment on your most recent post on your blog. Hopefully I can help lighten your load from that entry? :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Tony