Rocky Raccoon 100 Trail Run Preview – The Storm before the Calm
By David Hanenburg on 04 Feb 2011 at 5:28 pm | Tagged as: race news
Likely the most international trail running event in the region takes place tomorrow morning with a 6:00 am start at Huntsville State Park for the Rocky Raccoon 100 and 50 mile trail run. There are currently over 670 runners registered and will represent seven different countries!
Weather
The biggest challenge for some will not be the 100 or 50 miles on their feet, it will simply be getting to the race site as snow is causing some travel challenges throughout the country. That includes the typically snow-less state of Texas.
Dallas area.
I know conditions in Huntsville are not nearly as intense as Dallas. I did find this local Huntsville video hysterically funny.
(If you can’t see the video, click here.)
The great news is, if you can get your tread to Huntsville, conditions look great for the weekend.
- 24 F – Friday night (clear)
- 53 F – Saturday day (sunny!, low winds)
- 36F – Saturday evening
- 64F – Sunday day (sunny!)
I Just heard from Bill Cox who is at the park (4 pm Friday) and the trail he saw “looked GREAT”.
Some Serious Local, National, and International Speed Showing Up to Play – Hopefully
Mr. Mountain man himself and Rocky starter, Karl Meltzer, put together a good list and some commentary of the likely speedy front runners for both the boys and girls. Most are giving Anton Krupicka and TALON athlete Liza Howard the bulls-eye singlet. Liza is back to defend her 2010 win so it is going to be fun to see her mixing it up with some of the fastest men and women of the sport.
You can check out Karl’s odds summary here.
Some additional speedy TALON athletes that I noticed:
- Peter Vrolijk (TX) – Top 15 finisher in last four years.
- Ryan Loehding (TX) – Has finished throughout the top 15 in the last 5+ years.
The Course
Here is a birds-eye view of the 20 mile loop that 100 milers run five times. The 50 milers will run a shortened 16.67 mile loop, three times.
(If you can’t see the video, click here.)
Good luck to all those running on the rooty pine needle trails this weekend! Celebrate the day, it is sure to be a special one.
Live Updates?
If you are aware of any sources that will have live updates, please share in the comment link. I am sure many would be interested.
The race website will likely have some kind of updates. I will verify tomorrow and update.
[already have an update]
- http://www.ultralive.net/rr100/webcast.php – This will likely be the top source to follow the action.
- I have included a few updates on the Endurance Buzz Facebook page.
Please share any others if you have them.
Be active – Feel the buzz!
David – EnduranceBuzz.com
About the author
David Hanenburg is the passionate dirt-lovin' creator of Endurance Buzz and has been playing in the endurance sports world since 2000 after knockin' the dust off of his Trek 950 hardtail thanks to a friend asking to go ride some local dirt. In 2007 he ran his first ultra on the trails and fell in love with the sport and its people. For more information on David's endurance sports journey, check out the About page.
Loading ...
I’m seeding myself for the 50 miler “hard as nails” award. Or possibly first to drop. Whichever happens, I’m ok with it!
http://www.trailheadendurance.blogspot.com
Scott Jurek tweeted that his folks will be posting live updates via Twitter.
@Bill – sounded like you had a fun loop on the trails today.
@Kevin – Yep, had been following. Thanks!