The Estrella Mountains stand as looming giants south of Phoenix, the rugged peaks jutting high in the sky. nestled below the majestic giants are the single track trails located in the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, not as daunting but not to be underestimated. Like the rest of the night series, the temperatures were warm but manageable as the sun sunk in the sky. Runners who had participated in Sinister, Adrenaline, and Vertigo had an idea of what lay ahead. With options of 15k, 31k, and 62k, over 175 runners arrived planning to run between one and four loops.
The loop’s elevation profile.
The course rolls through the foothills of the Estrellas, climbing gradually for the first half and descending the second half, with a few extra hills thrown in for good measure. Total climbing for the loop is around 700 feet. The trail is rocky like the mountains it is born from, with both wide and narrow single track sections. The winding stretches on the back side make the course compact together, giving runners lots of opportunity to see each other on the loop.
The 62k field was filled with ultrarunning veterans, including Siniser, Adrenaline, and Vertigo ultra winner Cristian Rios alongside Adrenaline and Vertigo ultra winner Jenn Thompson. Lisa Raykowski returned after her victory at the Vertigo 31k, and Amy English was back after winning the short distance at the previous two Insomniac races. The ultra competitors lined up as the sun dipped low in the sky before sprinting off to catch their only trail miles in the light. The 31k runners followed as the last streams of sunlight escaped over the mountain silhouettes. Finally, the 15kers clicked on their headlamps with the last glint of the day faded as a muted glow. With the sound of the horn, all of the races were underway.
The 15k race begins.
The trails at Estrella are rocky like the mountains they’re born from, and tough like the runners that tackle them. The course is full of open expanses that allowed runners to see each other for miles, headlamps bobbing across a wide landscape.
Runners start as the day finishes.
The sky turned to black and the runners continued on their first loop. Cristian is first through the start area as usual, with a quick transition and several minute lead on the field. A few more men follow before Jenn comes through as the women’s leader. The rest of the 62k runners continue to come through as the time ticks on.
Lights stream in to the finish area.
The 31k runners hit the halfway point as they arrive at the main aid, Andrew Builder and Lisa Raykowski leading the men’s and women’s races. Spectators sit back and enjoy the new “Aravaipa Cafe”, lit with overhead light ropes and situated with bistro tables, cool refreshments, and even minty treats. They cheer on the runners coming through, venturing back into the darkness for more.
Refueling at the aid station with Fluid.
The first 15k runner to finish was David Fiesoli from Italy in a time of 1:09:42. On the female front and clocking her third consecutive win was Amy English in a time of 1:30:19. As more runners finish the atmosphere builds, runners enjoying the post-race refreshments of iced coffee, mac & cheese, and vegan quesadillas. Cristian comes in from his second loop with an even bigger lead in the ultra, but is forced to stop as the result of injuries a week earlier when hit by a car while riding his bike. The lead is quickly picked up by Trent Peelle, veteran of the Javelina Jundred. Jenn holds strong to the women’s lead. Andrew Builder comes in to claim the 31k crown in 2:54:24.
Flying Miller Kick!
Everyone is having a good time out on the race course, especially Michael Miller with his gravity-defying finisher leap to 3rd. Shortly Lisa Raykowski comes in to win the women’s 31k in a time of 3:14:44.
Lisa Raykowski takes the 31k title.
More runners continue to come in, including recent author Jay Danek who was signing copies of Got To Live. With a big smile on his face, he came in side-by-side with iRun owner Mark Cosmas.
Mark Cosmas and Jay Danek have a photo finish.
More and more runners finished as the clock flipped past midnight. Runners having a great time and cheering each other on.
The girls come in together!
After Trent called his race at 3 loops, the men’s lead was taken by Paul Bonnett, who kept his lead the final loop to win in a time of 6:47:46. The indefatigable Jenn Thompson three-peated for a winning women’s time of 7:46:39. Her boys volunteered throughout the race, and jumped to greet her at every lap.
Iced coffee bar at the finish line.
At the end of the night, John Vanderpot rounded out the 8 finishers of the 62k, taking the remainders of the iced coffee with him to make the long drive home to California.
All had a great time at Hypnosis and we look forward to next year.
The final race in the Insomniac series is the Javelina Jangover on September 21-22, featuring distances of 7k, 25k, 50k, 75k, and 100k. Come out for a full-moon night run!
Recognition goes out to our sponsors for the race: iRun for their continued support of the trail running community, Nathan providing gear and 20% off products to the race, Fluid for providing the sports drink, Black Diamond for providing discounted headlamps to runners, and Activate for handing out samples.