Prepping for the start at the Pemberton Trailhead
The 15.4 mile Pemberton Trail within picturesque McDowell Mountain Regional Park served as the setting for this weekend’s Javelina 12 Hour night run hosted by Aravaipa Running. This gathering of Arizona’s ultra and trail running community kicked off at 6pm, just as the sun set behind the McDowell Mountains to the west of the park. Runners ranging in age from 15 to 76 set out to tackle anywhere from 1 to 4 loops on the trail. One of the unique features of this trail run is special permission to access the park’s trail system at night (trails normally close at sunset). Although flashlights were needed for the first two hours, the almost full moon eventually rose as runners neared the end of their first loop, offering spectacular views above Four Peaks.
Final race instructions given by RD Nick Coury
Many runners used this event as training and simulation of the upcoming Javelina Jundred taking place on the same trail November 12-13. This is a great way to test out shoes, lighting, pacing strategies and nighttime conditions before the “big day”. Others were simply out to enjoy the trail or compete in their first ultra marathon. One other unique aspect of this event, is that runners do not have to declare how many laps they will be running in advance. Runners are free to continue accumulating laps up to the 12 hour time limit. As for top placing, if a runner continues on past a shorter distance, they are no longer eligible for that award, even if they technically had the fastest time of the night.
Paulette Zillmer blasting out just behind the leaders
Now onto the race. 134 runners set out into the fading twilight promptly at 6pm with darkness quickly enveloping the dramatic mountain landscape in all directions. The first few miles of packed gravel trail meanders and rolls across the desert floor. The trail crosses through numerous dry wash beds that drain the imposing McDowell Mountains out to the Verde River.
Runners head out on Loop 1
As the runners made their way up the gradual first climb of the course, back at Javelina Jeadquarters, volunteers were busy preparing food, slicing pumpkin pie, and picking up pizza from nearby Fountain Hills. The normally quiet trail head was transformed into a colorful city of lighted tents, glowing orange, blue and white under the night sky. Family, friends and spectators assembled around the staging area, lining up chairs to watch the evening unfold and passing guesses on when and who the first runner would arrive over the hill. Time always seems to fly by at these endurance events, and before long shouts of “runner up” could be heard echoing across Jeadquarters. Tucson runner Brian Zacher came flying in just over 2:08 and Alex Kaine was one minute back. Loud cheering erupted out of the “stands” as bottles were quickly refilled and calories replenished. They both made a quick turnaround and headed back out the same way they just came in for their second loop (the course reverses direction each lap).
Runners fuel up at the Granite Tank Aid Station
Super volunteer Joan Hellman cheering in runners at Granite Tank
This year’s Angeles Crest 100 winner Paulette Zillmer was the top female in off the first loop and decided to call it a night, claiming the 25 Km award. Graham Bailey from Mesa was the top 25 Km runner, finishing in 2:22. Sixty runners returned back out on the course for their second lap. Geoffrey Foote was the top 50 Km finisher in a time of 5:10 and Rachel James completed her 50 Km in 5:17. A total of 32 runners completed the 50 Km ultra distance, including 76 year old Eugene Bruckert from Illinois!
Twenty-eight runners decided they didn’t get enough yet, and continued on. Brian and Alex who led on lap 1 stayed in the lead through 75 Km, but both had enough and decided not to head out on a fourth lap. Out of those 28, only three completed the 100 Km distance including winner Jay Danek who is training for his second 100 mile race next month at the Javelina Jundred, first time ultra runner Dov Greenberg, and two time Javelina Jundred finisher Mark Kirkby in a close third.
David Lyon's light shining at the Granite Tank Aid Station
Thanks to all of the great volunteers who were out on the course and in the aid station serving up food and drinks for everyone!
Runners finishing into the early hours
To wrap up this year’s report, we’d like to give a few runner perspectives on the race. Jay Danek (who won the 100 Km), Christine Harrison and Nancy Ishizawa all offered up their take on the event:
Jay Danek
1. What made you decide to enter the Javelina 12 Hour? Did you have a goal coming in to the race?
This race intrigued me a lot last year because it was my first opportunity to run a supported trail race that gave several different distances. I wasn’t sure last year how far I could go since I had never run over 22 miles and was able to complete 46. When I finished, it was such an emotional high that I vowed to myself that I would be back again and again to run this race. The runners out there and aid volunteers were so positive that it makes you try to achieve things that I never knew were possible. This is not a marathon type atmosphere when you finish, because every runner is celebrated equally regardless of there time.
Fast forward to this year, I signed up as soon as registration opened because I love the atmosphere, ultra community, and I went in looking to complete an extra lap this year. My training has been there and I had no expectations of winning but based on my JJ goal I wanted to come in around 11 hours and try to run as even as splits as possible. I would like to be sub 20 at JJ and I knew I would have to run well last night to mentally be prepared to run 2.5 more loops in a month.
2. You were up towards the front most of the race and ended up first in the 100 Km. How did things unfold from your perspective? Did you have any real low points?
I did run up front from the very beginning and worried slightly at first that I would be out of my comfort zone especially since several of the initial faster runners would only be trying to complete one or two laps. I settled into a great pace with Paulette early on and we found a pace that was very comfortable to run and at a pace that would not put the rest of my race in jeopardy. The two front runners were amazing from the beginning and they never looked back, but I thought I had the endurance to make a move late if necessary. Great job by everyone and I’m happy I ran a smart race.
During the second loop I suffered through some intense back pains after coming up the long gradual ascent because I was running with poor posture and after leaving the aid station I did suffer through some stomach cramps that I was able to manage with Tums every mile.
The third loop my stomach pains returned and I was able to run through most of them but I did utilize the Pedialyte to settle my stomach. I have never had success with ginger, so I thought last night would be a good time to try the baby formula before JJ.
3. What was your favorite part of the race?
My favorite part of this race is the atmosphere and how the ultra community always seems to come together to cheer on every runner. It amazed me last night that one year ago I knew two runners and this year it felt like 75 percent of the field would say “go get it Jay” as they passed or “great job Jay.” This is a race that is the perfect first trail running experience for any level runner and is a great opportunity to try and run one’s first ultra.
4. Anything you learned from this event that will help you at the Javelina Jundred in one month?
I never had a big appetite all night but did consume Ultragen recovery (320 calories) after each lap and it provided my stomach with an easy settling high calorie liquid. I felt my split times were right where I wanted to be and pretty even throughout. I was slightly fast on my first loop, but I ran all night with the intention of moving forward unless there was a real need to stop and walk. The counter clockwise direction is a much tougher direction and it is important to not burn too much energy during the six mile uphill stretch.
I ran Lean Horse 100 in August and ended up pushing myself too hard to the point of being reduced to long stretches of walking. This time, I decided never to let myself breath hard so I never pushed out of my comfort zone. I’ve found that going hard on an uphill may gain a few minutes of time on the way up only to leave you crushed for the downhills. More conservative runners don’t actually lose much time at all in the grand scheme of an ultra run.
Jay & Traci Danek with Jay's 100 Km award
Christine Harrison & Nancy Ishizawa
We noticed Christine and Nancy (both from California) finishing each loop running together and they were kind enough to share how their race went. They finished 75 Km in 11:05:
1. Did you plan to run the race together?
Christine – Nancy and I met at another race in California. We immediately noticed we ran well together and vowed to keep in touch. After a few emails, we both wanted to do the JJ100 race, new for her, unfinished twice for me (opted for 100K).
She mentioned she was coming for the night run and I decided to come to run it with her. I wasn’t really sure how well we would run together, but it turned out to be a great match. Although she wanted to start slower than I normally do, we stayed together the entire night run with Nancy being the stronger runner at the end.
Nancy – Yes, we planned to run together the whole time and we did. When Chris found out I was running in this race, she offered to run with me so I wouldn’t have to run in the dark alone.
2. What was your favorite part about the race?
Christine – I think our favorite part of the race were the aid stations and the slight downhills. My favorite part was the PUMPKIN PIE! What a treat, no other race has ever offered me!!
Nancy – A favorite part of the race were the awesome volunteers and the well stocked aid stations. The volunteers were prepared for us when we came into the station, and the pumpkin pie was a big hit.
3. What did you think about the desert under the full moon coming from California? Did you hear or see any wildlife out there?Christine – After the first loop, we had a plan to power walk the rocky sections on the uphills and run the rest. I would say we ran 90% of the course, which usually in these ultra’s you have more breaks due to strong uphill climbs so it was a bit tougher on the feet and legs I think. We took turns leading as we were about the same pace throughout the race.
The rising of the full moon was spectacular!! And the silhouette of the tall cactus plants through the night was something we don’t get to experience in California. The only wildlife we saw were 2 separate occasions we encountered these black, hairy tarantulas on the course!! Other than that, we were disappointed not to see the infamous Javelina. I had read up on the history of the Javelina and was able to share some of this with Nancy at one point.
Nancy – The desert was so peaceful and still at night. We heard coyotes howling in the distance several times, and we saw 2 tarantulas.
4. Anything else you’d like to include?
Christine – We basically chatted the first 2 loops and then listened to music the last loop. What a great race!! Loved the lights of the aid stations and the cowbells out in the middle of the desert!
Nancy – Just thank you for putting on such a great and organized event. We both had a lot of fun!
