Anybody who has run ultramarathons, particularly lengthy ones held in distant areas, is aware of the significance of assist stations. For a lot of runners, these oases of assist and sustenance are a key element of their capacity to complete long-distance occasions. In sure races, some assist stations have legendary standing, made well-known by their places, capabilities, historical past, or uniqueness.
For our 2025 article collection right here in AJW’s Taproom, we are going to profile 11 legendary assist stations from throughout the ultrarunning panorama and, as we now have performed in previous collection, we’re in search of nominations from our readers both within the remark part under or through our contact kind on the web site.
The Duncan Canyon assist station on the Western States 100 course is a welcome reprieve within the excessive nation. Picture: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
To be able to make sure we now have consistency in our choices and to have a point of equity, we now have established three standards for what makes an assist station legendary:
1. The Help Station is Distinctive
Everybody is aware of that some assist stations are simply completely different from all the remainder. Maybe it’s the place they’re situated, the sort of meals they serve, or the volunteers’ costumes, however no matter it’s, the runner is aware of it’s distinctive as quickly as they arrive, they usually bear in mind it lengthy after they depart.
2. The Help Station Creates Memorable Experiences
If you happen to cling across the end line of an extremely for any time frame, you inevitably hear the individuals rehashing the race with their fellow opponents, usually bringing again recollections of their experiences. Legendary assist stations present wealthy recollections for runners and people recollections usually develop into landmark moments of the race expertise for years to return.
3. The Help Station is Nicely-Established
Whereas many assist stations at sure races change and evolve yearly, some have been established for a really very long time. Maybe it’s as a result of the identical group of volunteers have labored the help station for years or perhaps as a result of the help station simply has that particular one thing, however no matter it’s, legendary assist stations appear to have endurance that simply builds on itself.
Maggie Guterl refuels together with her crew on the Raspberry assist station on the 2021 Excessive Lonesome 100 Mile. Picture: Hilary Matheson/@thehilaryann
As we put together our collection, like we did with our Below the Radar Races collection this previous yr, we encourage reader nominations for assist stations that match our distinctive, memorable, and established standards. When making nominations, every time potential, please embody the next:
- Race title, location, and time of yr
- Race director’s title and speak to data
- Help station captain’s title and speak to data
- Help station title and placement (mileage, city, and so on.)
- A short description of what makes the help station legendary, paying specific consideration to the standards of distinctive, memorable, and established.
The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2024, and the collection will start in January 2025. We’ll then publish a narrative about one legendary assist station monthly by way of November 2025.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Nice Lakes Brewing Firm in Cleveland, Ohio. Launched each December for the previous 20 years, Nice Lakes Christmas Ale is a scrumptious amber ale brewed with honey and a mix of spices. A fantastic accompaniment to a hearty Christmas dinner or a stack of sugar cookies, Nice Lakes Christmas Ale is certain to be a vacation favourite for years to return.
Name for Feedback
What assist station would you wish to nominate for the collection?
The low-key vibe on the Riverlands 100 Mile and Relay makes it a community-oriented and distinctive occasion. Picture courtesy of Valerie Abradi.