If you’ve been to any Aravaipa race over the last 9 years, I can almost guarantee you’ve been taken care of in some fashion by Pati Coury. She is our aid station mastermind with a heart big enough to truly care about each and every runner that comes through her ‘kitchen.’ She’s methodical and her attention to detail really can not be matched. She might the the literal mom to a few on our team, but she embraces that role for anyone in need of her care. She’s also a truly amazing runner and that is really on display at Silverton 1000, now Steep Camp!
Steep Camp (aka: Silverton 1000)
Seven years ago, I was asked to come up to Silverton for a week and help feed the runners during Silverton 1000… and by the way, I could run in the race in-between meals and snacks. I had not done big distances yet so my expectation was to run a marathon in the 6 days.
Pati in her element, feeding hungry runners!
The runners were pretty easily taken care of (I’m going to go ahead and add some commentary here that “easy” is relative!) so I found myself on the course more and more. During the week, my expectations grew to a 50 K, then 50 miles, then 100 K, finally finishing at 80 miles. I was hooked. At the end of that race, I made it my goal to complete 100 miles the next year and get my buckle!
2016 Silverton 1000
I have now completed 5 – 100 mile races in Silverton with a total race mileage of 614 miles on Kendall Trail. What I found in the process is that my abilities grew and because of this race / this training, I became an ultrarunner. I went on to complete numerous other races including the Javelina 100K. I am not fast, but my body can endure. This race has always been my Steep Camp. I have completed 130 miles 4 different times in an 8 day period because of this race.
2017 Silverton 1000
With rising external costs to this race, it will be very sad to see it go away if we can’t get enough people to realize the potential of this race, both for personal training and for the chance to participate in it. How can you beat just running / hiking on the side of a mountain and gaining 1,000 feet every 4 miles / 5,000 feet every 20 miles / 25,000 feet every 100 miles? The whole time being fed by our aid station every mile lap and food 24 hours a day! The view embraces the beautiful quaint town of Silverton and provides the bonus of training at 9,000 + feet in altitude. (Hint: just don’t go out too fast).
One of the many views on course!
Many of us at Aravaipa are volunteering our time to make sure the race happens this year. Consider joining us and register for Steep Camp now. Camping fees are included during your race. We would love to see this event live on and for you to enjoy some of the best training for both your body and spirit.
Fun fact, for the last few years Pati has also turned around and run Silverton Alpine Marathon two days after finishing her 100+ miles at Steep Camp (This year Kendall Mountain Run is the following event).
Pati, Patricia Carroll and Mike Garcia during Silverton Alpine Marathon