This was an interesting year going into the WS100 with the 2008 WS100 being cancelled. The board decided that it was the correct call to cancel the race in 2008 because of wild fires too close in the area that would threaten the health and safety of runners and volunteers alike.
This meant that all the people who had pushed to so hard to qualify and in most cases win the lottery, would have to wait another year. Another year of training for a race they knew they had an entry in. At least one other person, Scott Jurek, would later be added to the list.
Jurek would be training to return to a race he won seven years straight. A race in which he is the dominate runner. Everyone already entered in the race knew that he was the one they would be fighting for victory.
As the race approached, many wondered who would be running the race. Some notable runners decided that they weren’t in the right conditioning to run this year. Anton Krupicka was just getting healthy from an injury and didn’t want to run a race this soon. Jorge Pacheco was injured and could not run. Max King and Todd Braje did not start the race either. Meanwhile some like Michael Wardian showed up to compete a week after battling it out in the 100K Championship.
The day arrived with some very hot temperatures. The runners still did what they came to do — competed. While friends and fans watched in person and on their computers. I followed friends like Rick Cook while also tracking runners I have heard much about and maybe watched at a race or two.
The carnage began early. DNFs started piling on. Runners like Jenn Shelton, Scott Jurek, Dean Karnazes, and Dave Mackey dropping the race for various reasons. Karnazes began peeing blood so he dropped. My running friend, Rick Cook had to drop dropped after 55.7 miles.
But there was also a lot of joy in the race. Hal Koerner won the 2009 Western States 100 with a time of 16:24:55. This was after a key move at Michigan Bluff. Then the next three finishers were all first time WS100 participants. Second place finisher Tsuyoshi Kaburaji entered the track and Koerner pumped his fist with excitement and encouragement. Jez Bragg from the UK and Jasper Halekas (3rd/4th) embraced at the finish. Kevin Sullivan, also a first time participant, finished it in fifth place. Then in a time of 18:24:18 the first place woman Anita Ortiz zoomed in. She’s a mother of 4 and a teacher!
The race continues after I post this and the stories will continue. Stories of people who didn’t make it all 100 but still achieved something few will ever achieve. Stories of people who finished but not in time to get a buckle. And stories of people who finished as expected, less than expected, and far beyond their expectations. That is not unique to WS100 but it certainly reverberates strongly with this race.
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