June 8, 2024 - This was a more challenging event than I had anticipated, but I was able to achieve a finish with a bit of adjustment along the way. Formerly known as Squaw Peak 50, this has always been a classic in the sport. Unfortunately, because of significant late snowfall this past spring, some of the back roads accessing aid stations were still snowed in, so the Forest Service shut down the back half of the course, forcing the race director to adjust the race to an out and back... which increased the challenge significantly, as the major technical climbs are on the front half.

So I decided to go with the early starters at 0400 to give me an extra hour to guarantee making the course's only cutoff at 38 miles, which proved not to be a problem. It looked to be most of a third of the field starting early, which surprised me. It is a good indication of just how many new people are joining the sport these days.

The race begins at Vivian Park in Provo Canyon on a paved bike path for most of the first (and final) three miles. With the spring run-off in full swing, the creek along the bike path was overflowing its banks, so much of a mile of the pavement was flooded up to as much as calf deep. The race director encouraged runners to go barefoot to keep their shoes and socks dry, so while many did as suggested, I and a few others splish-splashed ahead in full attire. I figured my shoes always get soaked one way or another anyway, and as it turned out the grass was wet, so everyone ended up with wet feet anyway. I cannot run very far or effectively on pavement in bare feet, so there never was an option.

Hitting the first aid station at around mile four in an hour, I felt pretty good before starting uphill on single track trails through aspen groves to make the first 2000+' ascent. I held my own through the climb, but began to have people (the barefooters) pass me on the downhill. I snapped a couple pictures looking out toward the city below and the mountains above, but there wasn't enough light to do the views justice, so I put the camera away, where it stayed the rest of the day.

After leaving single track, the route follows a service road and then some technical/rocky jeep trail down, down, and down along Rock Creek through a gorgeous slot canyon to the second aid station at 12 miles. I was still good, holding back so as not to fall on the decline, but temps were starting to heat up as the morning sun rose over the peaks to the east. For awhile we all could still run mostly in the shadows as we continued south along the rolling Bonneville Shoreline Trail, but ultimately the sun's direct rays were inescapable and the order of the day became to drink, drink, drink.

People were friendly but I didn't chat very long with anyone. I did take longer at the aid stations to make sure I was provisioned well for the next segment. The rest of the day involved running aid station to aid station with a second rocky technical climb up to the turnaround before fighting the heat the rest of the day. Someone told me the temperature was 85 degrees, but it felt warmer. After the event I learned that five people had to be rehydrated with an IV and more than a third of the field did not finish, which was significant for this race.

I hung in there forty miles or so before falling apart with cramps and having difficulty holding fluids down without vomiting. Heat is always the worst variable in a race. Slowing to a walk and drinking a lot from streams when I could, I just took my time over the final miles, still finishing before it got dark enough to use a light.

Not my finiest effort, but then I've got fewer arrows left in my quiver, so I was satisifed. People were appreciative of my effort. I guess I look old and haggard enough to notice. Finishing easy allowed me to eat something and clean up a bit before crawling into the car and nodding off for the night. When you don't run fast, one benefit is that your muscles don't hurt like they did in younger years, so the morning after was not too bad, with a full range of motion returning right away. Glad this one was in the books, however. Beautiful country, and a great challenge as a way to enjoy it.