I hope to never lose my sense of wonder in dramatic Arizona skies. Our sunsets are unreal, our sunrises too. Monsoon season brings a whole new set of beauty (and, sometimes, destruction) with massive thunderheads and lightning shows to rival 4th of July firework finales. Thankfully, this past weekend at Javelina Jangover, we got the show but not the destruction.
All day long, while setting up, the weather was stiflingly hot and oppressive. Not long before runners were due to arrive at the course the cumulonimbus clouds were building higher and higher over the mountains surrounding McDowell Mountain Regional Park. However, we were ready for them! Our experience hosting events in the Arizona summer has quickly taught us what it takes to weather a storm. Volunteers were ready, tents were extra secure, and honestly no one seemed overly concerned. All par for the course. The race never got a drop of rain, but did benefit from the winds which helped to cool off a day that saw temperatures in the 110s. Runners were also treated to a pretty good lightning show!
Photo: Bret Sarnquist
The heat of the competition in the races rivaled that of the day. Saturday saw all four men’s course records fall: Brett Sanborn from Albuquerque, NM took down Aravaipa Racing Team Sion Lupowitz’s 2013 75K record with a 6:36:13. Justin Houck (Salomon Running) handily claimed the 50K record and came across the finish line more than an hour ahead of 2nd place in 3:45:43 (Noting that second place finisher, Jeremy Pager, had just won our Silverton Alpine Marathon 2 weeks prior). In his first night race Cliff Nielson (4:06 miler, and recent NCAA Division I XC athlete) led the 25K almost from start to finish with a new course record of 1:41:11. The 7K saw huge growth this year (more than 3x as many competitors as 2014) and I could tell the competition would be fierce during the race briefing. I mentioned the trail narrowing after the turn onto the Scenic Loop (7K course) and could hear murmurs from the people up in the front about how they wanted to be first to that turn. 28:07 after counting down to zero to start the race, Alec Fillmore was back, flying across the mat and needing more than just a few moments to catch his breath and walk normally again. It was so fun to have a front seat view to all these performances!
Men’s 7K Podium. Photo: Bret Sarnquist
The women’s races boasted close competition. Second and third place in the 7K was separated by 5 seconds and 1st place finisher, Meghan Slavin, was 11th overall in 37:55. Susan Kramer won the 25K and completes her trifecta of podiums at Javelina Jangover in 3 different distances (1st Female 75K 2014, 3rd Female 50K 2012). Another Albuquerque, NM resident found themselves on the top podium spot this weekend with Erin Churchill winning the 50K in a time of 5:56:23. Less than 4 minutes separated 2nd and 3rd place finishers Tonya Keyes and Rachel Dockendorf who finished right behind each other in 12th & 13th overall. Desma Caputo Degraw dominated the 75K, winning by almost 2 hours in a time of 9:16:32. The same scenario played out with 2nd and 3rd in the 75K with Lisa Buzzeo (who was last through the 2nd loop, and found a second wind for a phenomenal comeback) finishing second female less than 6 minutes ahead of Gabrielle Orsi of Kirkland, Washington.
Women’s 25K Podium. Photo: Bret Sarnquist
There were a lot of runners out completing their first ultra-distance races and many also competing in their first trail race. The beer garden was overflowing with patrons and the RWB Charity Beer Garden was sold dry by 12:30am. The generosity of runners was also apparent from the donations pouring in for the RWB Vet Pack Drive (collecting goods to be send to deployed troops over the holidays). Speaking of generosity, the volunteers who donated their time and energy are what pulled this event together into the party it was – from the bottom of my heart, thank you! Many people went above and beyond: some who had not signed up to volunteer jumping in to help… I’m looking at you, Jon Christley, some who stayed well past the end of their shift to capture the finish of every runner (photographer, Bret Sarnquist), volunteers who ran and then stayed overnight to help, volunteers who crewed their runner and tirelessly helped others, and many other examples of what a great community we have.
Brew & Crew at the finish. Photo: Bret Sarnquist
Race Reports:
Cliff Nielson
Next up, we will be in Flagstaff for the Flagstaff Sky Race October 2-3! The VK and Sky races are part of the North American Continental Championship and with the ultra being the last in the US Series we are expecting some fierce competition. Registration is still available here. Volunteer opportunities are also available!