Due to conflicts with other run events we’re changing the May trail work date to June 1, 8:00 am at Stone’s Brew Coffee House in Foresthill. Please sign up on the WS site if you plan on attending and remember to submit your USFS Volunteer Form.
Thanks,
Donn Zea
WS Trail Boss
The 1983 Western States race still boasts the closest top two men’s finish in the 39 year history of the race. Arguably, it is one of the best races ever at WS, and lucky for us it was recorded on DVD on Desperate Dreams II.
1983 Desperate Dreams DVD
1983 was a huge snow year so the alternate snow course had to be used for the first time. Returning champion Jim King hammered through the snow early to open up a huge lead over the field at Red Star Ridge, including 36 minutes over 1981 co-champion Jim Howard. But by Duncan Canyon aid station, King had fallen back to 15th after getting lost for 45 minutes in the snow. Undaunted, King moved back up the field to join Howard again at Dusty Corners and Last Chance (in 3rd and 4th place). King then hammered the canyons, and arrived in Michigan Bluff in first place, 27 minutes ahead of Howard who was still in 4th. King’s split from Last Chance to Michigan Bluff was 2:13! For comparison, Jurek’s split on his CR run in 2004 was 2:19.
King’s lead over Howard remained around 30 minutes through ALT by which time Howard was now comfortably in 2nd place. But Howard was not running for 2nd place. Only 7 minutes behind at Hwy 49, Howard threw down the unbelievable split of 56 minutes to the finish, catching King right before the white bridge and finishing 30 seconds ahead of King. This is still the fastest split ever run for that section. 5-time champion, and 25-time finisher, Tim Twietmeyer says that even if we dropped him off at Hwy 49 fresh, he couldn’t run 56 minutes.
Jim Howard at the finish of the 1983 WSER.
We are going to show the 1983 race on Sunday evening of the Memorial Day Weekend Training Runs. We’ll follow that with a discussion with the two Jims, facilitated by 8-time finisher Andy Jones-Wilkins.
The research studies for the 2013 WSER have just been determined and are now posted on the research page.
Six studies will be taking place that will examine a variety of issues including a couple areas receiving considerable recent media attention – potential cardiac damage from high volume exercise, and potential benefits of different foot strike patterns. To learn more about the first issue, our colleagues from the United Kingdom will be returning to the Run after completing studies here in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Regarding the later, we will expand upon our foot strike analysis at the 2012 WSER, where we saw indication that those who used a forefoot or midfoot pattern had higher blood creatine phosphokinase concentrations at the end of the race compared with heel strikers. Other studies will further examine the extent and causes of gastrointestinal distress during the Run, the frequency and underlying cause of vision cloudiness that sometimes occurs during ultramarathons, and types and frequency of injuries in those training for a 100-mile run.
There will be more to come on how you can participate in the various studies and contribute to our advancement of science.
Marty Hoffman, MD
Trail Volunteers are Essential! Volunteering on the trail is rewarding and fun. And, for those who are entered in the 2013 WSER and are within driving distance of the WS Trail, our scheduled work projects are the perfect way to satisfy the Run’s volunteer service requirement!
The 2013 trail work days have been set.
February 2, 2013 – Green Gate to Hwy 49
March 23, 2013 – El Dorado/Volcano Canyons
April 20, 2013
May 18, 2013 Moved to June 1, 2013.
June 21-22, 2013
At the first project on Feb 2 we’ll improve trail tread, trim vegetation, remove fallen trees, and ensure adequate drainage on the Green Gate to 49 Crossing section of the trail. See our 2013 Trail Work Opportunities page to sign up and to get further details.
For further information about our trail conservation mission and purpose please see our new Trail Stewardship page.
The Robinson Flat campout weekend.
Thanks for helping
Western States is a registered trademark of the Western States Endurance Run Foundation copyright © Western States Endurance Run Foundation.
