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

It has been fairly a rare 14 months on the planet of 100-mile path operating in North America. Beginning with the Western States 100 final yr and ending with the Leadville 100 Mile final weekend, we now have seen three performances which have discovered their manner into my record of the highest three males’s and ladies’s performances of all time and, in so doing, have knocked off three legendary performances from yesteryear.

Previous to June 2023, my high three North American girls’s 100-mile performances of all time seemed 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 course file run. With that, Trason’s 1994 Western States 100 run was got rid of the record, and Greenwood’s 2012 Western States 100 efficiency was relegated to 3rd.

A yr later, this previous June, Katie Schide — who completed second on the 2023 Western States 100 behind Dauwalter — received in 15:46, and bumped Greenwood off the record solely. As of as we speak, due to this fact, my girls’s podium seems to be like 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

On the lads’s facet, earlier than final weekend’s historic run on the Leadville 100, my North American males’s high three 100-mile performances of all time seemed like this:

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

With David Roche’s unimaginable course file run on the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile, Carpenter’s identify was got rid of the record, making my present podium seem like 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 profitable the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile and setting a brand new course file. Photograph: Life Time

Whereas these rankings are solely mine, and positively topic to evaluation and criticism, it’s attention-grabbing to notice what number of of those performances have occurred lately, no matter the place one may rank them.

A lot has been mentioned in regards to the present state of long-distance path operating and ultrarunning, and the growing professionalism within the sport. I imagine this — together with vital enhancements in coaching, vitamin, sneakers, and equipment — has made excellent performances extra frequent.

At this level, it’s onerous to say the place the ceiling may be. That being mentioned, it additionally highlights how spectacular the performances of Carpenter, Trason, and O’Brien had been within the context of historical past. I, for one, am curious to see the place this file development will go as we see the continued development and evolution of the game. I stay up for being alongside for the trip.

Bottoms up!

AJW’s Beer of the Week

This week’s beer of the week comes from David Roche’s hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Mountain Solar Pub and Brewery is a Boulder brewery specializing in 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 high three female and male ultrarunning performances ever?
• What different extraordinary runs have occurred previously yr?