January-March 2019 Ultra Update
​Read Geoffrey Tweed's synopsis of Ultra races for the first three months of 2019, plus a look at what's coming up soon.

February - June 2018 Ultra Update​
Check out the results of ultras held February through June, plus a look ahead at races scheduled for July and August.  Compiled by Richard Knapp.

January 2018 Ultra Update​

The past few months have been a bit of a drought for both ultra races and New Mexico (93% of the state in drought, Jan 2018).  Despite these challenging conditions, ARR runners continue to win age-group awards, as well as train for the spring ultra season.  See Ian's UPDATE for details.

October 2017 Ultra Update

Ultra races are in full swing this fall with a number of 200 mile events.  See Ian's UPDATE for details.

September 2017 Ultra Update

Congratulations, ARR runners, on your course records, excellent places, and PRs.  See Ian's UPDATE for details.

August 2017 Ultra Update

While ARR takes a rest month from club meetings, ARR runners are rocking the ultras.  See Ian's UPDATE.  Please note that the Mt. Taylor 50k field is full at 175 runners.  You're still welcome to participate as a volunteer.

 June / July 2017 Ultra Update 

Ian has been traveling a lot recently, so he has put together two months' worth of results and upcoming events in this UPDATE.
We'll have to wait for the next update to learn how Ian did in the July 15-16  Vermont 100 km in  Woodstock, VT.

May 2017 Ultra Update

Congratulations to the 74 50k runners at Cedro Peak!  We're starting the NM ultra season with Jemez and Angel Fire coming up soon.  For more information, see Ian's ultra update. To learn about running 62 beautiful kilometers in Beaujolais, France, contact Ian directly.  

March 2017 Ultra Update

Congratulations to recent NM runners who raced with an international field at the Black Canyon Ultras.  Ian also has updates for future races, including many in the ARR race series.

February 2017 Ultra Update

I can make your hands clap!  Just read the amazing accomplishments and future race plans of ARR runners, compiled by Ian.

October and September 2016 Ultra Updates

Ian's ultra updates  for September and October include congratulations to runners of ARR's Mount Taylor 50K and well-wishes to ARR runners signed up for 100K and 100M events.

August 2016 Ultra Update

Ian's ultra update highlights the accomplishments of ARR runners who set course runners in complete multiple ultra marathons in a couple of months.  Inspired?  Check out upcoming races in Santa Fe and Colorado!

May / June / July 2016 Ultra Update

In keeping with the ultra spirit, Ian has combined a few months of incredible racing results by ARR runners into one fantastic and inspiring update.  

March 2016 Ultra Update

Check Ian Maddison's update to learn which ARR members are running Leadville.  There's multiple ultras in and around NM that you can enter as well. 

February 2016 Ultra Update

Ian Maddison's inspiring ultra update includes recent results from the USATF ultra championships.  Congratulations to Brian, Roger, Margaret, and Misty for their excellent racing at the Bandera 100k.  Upcoming ultras are Black Canyon (AZ), Antelope Canyon (AZ), Sierra Vista (Las Cruces, NM), Monument Valley (Navajo Reservation), and Vegas Moonlight (NV).

January 2016 Ultra Update

Ian Maddison presented a summary of recent and upcoming Ultras at the January ARR club meeting.  Good luck to all ARR members competing in upcoming ultras! 

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ULTRA RECAP
December 2014
This season at the end of one year and the beginning of the next is when we all look back on the past year and forward to the next. Ultra-runners do the same.

Looking back on the past year, the three local ultra events associated with the club had a great year in 2014. The Cedro Peak races in April had an increase of 18% in total finishers over 2013 and new womens’ records in both races (Katrin Silva -  8:47:33 in the 45 miles, and Maria Petzold - 4:27:39 in the 45 km). The Mt. Taylor 50K in early October had a 13% increase in finishers and is already a hot ticket in the ultra world due to the fantastic course and a 175 cap on number of entrants. Michele Hummel set a new best womens’ time of 5:19:19 this year. The Deadman Peaks races later in October recorded a striking 47% increase in finishers with the slightly-longer-than-a-marathon race proving especially popular. Michelle Hummel again set a new womens’ record in this event of 4:20:17. Thanks to race directors Kim King and Ken Gordon for these great events.

Elsewhere in the state, there were other memorable ultra events. In May the scenic Sierra Vista 50 km near Las Cruces had 29 finishers. The Jemez Mountain races near Los Alamos in May were hit by severe late-season weather with strong winds driving snow and freezing rain into runners. The 50 mile run was shut down before most runners finished but Anton Krupicka nonetheless set a new mens’ record of 8:07:07 before the closure. Only 20 50-mile runners reached the finish line due to closure. Most of the 50km runners passed the last “recallable” checkpoint before the weather deteriorated and 158 survived to the finish (compared to 195 in 2013). The volunteers who stayed at remote aid stations despite the conditions deserve even more than the usual heartfelt gratitude from racers. The Angel Fire races in June had a total of 45 finishers at distances from 100 miles to 50km, up slightly from 42 in 2013.

Many club and local runners had a great year in 2014. Just a few highlights are mentioned here. Bobby Keogh finished four 100 milers (Coldwater Rumble, Rocky Raccoon, Grand Canyon, Javelina Jundred) as well a good number of shorter races. Cliff Matthews finished the Bighorn, Javelina and Cajun Coyote 100 milers. Ken Gordon finished his 5th Hardrock 100, Susan Gardner and Neil Blake finshed their third. Out of 8 ultra races in 2014, Katrin Silva was first woman in 5, including both the Cedro Peak 45 mile and Deadman Peaks 50 mile.

In January, many ultra-runners are planning what races they might be attempting in the New Year. Many high-demand races have lotteries for entry. Some results are already known. Cliff Matthews and Katrin Silva are in Western States 2015. Dave Coblentz, Susan Gardner, Deb Pero, Margaret Gordon and Ken Gordon got lucky (?) in the Hardrock100 lottery. Results for some other lotteries are still pending.

As we enter the New Year, the ultra scene in New Mexico looks healthy. As well as continuing events we look forward to a new race, the Cactus to Cloud trail run (50 km) finishing at Cloudcroft and scheduled for May 2, 2015. 

JULY 2014

• July 11 - Hardrock 100, Silverton CO.
  Race with 33,992 feet of climb and 33,992 feet of descent for a total elevation change of 67,984 feet at an average elevation of 11,186 feet. Superman Kilian Jornet set a new record this year, finishing about 2½ hours ahead of France’s Julien Chorier. 2013 winner, Sebastien Chaigneau, also of France, had to drop out this year. Darcy Africa was a repeat winner on the women’s side. 100 finishers out of 140 (71%).
      18th -- Dave Coblenz     M 51     34:00:59
      39th -- Neil Blake            M 49     38:52:02
      55th -- Ken Gordon         M 49     41:40:21
      94th -- Susan Gardner    F 50      46:46:24
  

JUNE 2014

• June 21 - Angel Fire Endurance runs (50km, 50 mi, 100 km, 100 mi), Angel Fire, NM. Trails on the Angel Fire resort property are used, with 100 milers doing 4 repeats.

This year 2 finishers in 100 miler, 5 in 100 km (winner Katie Arnold in 12:14:34), 10 in 50 miler, 28 in 50 km, including Betsy Kapiloff 11:28:08, and Dianna Keogh 12:00:49.

• June 28 - Western States 100, Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA. This year’s race was on the ‘standard’ course, with moderate temperatures and no snow. 296 finishers out of 376 starters (78.7% finish rate), 129 under 24 hours (34.3%).
  

Won by Rob Krar in 2nd-fastest men’s time (14:53:22) and Stephanie Howe in 4th-fastest women’s time (18:01:42). New Mexico’s only entrant this year did well:  258th Steve Grossman (M 54)   28:56:28

MAY 2014

•   May 3 - Valles Caldera trail marathon. An honorary ultra given the high altitude and trail surface. 

3rd     Neil Blake (M 48) 3:49:14
4th     David Coblentz (M 51)  3:57:22
5th     Richard Knapp (M 62)  4:04:55
8th     Roger Squires (M 53)  4:22:40
16th   Cliff Matthews (M 51)  5:03:37
31st    Nick Juskiewicz (M 53)  5:32:19
33rd   Ian Maddieson (M 71)  5:33:51

• May 4 - Cimarron 50 km. Cerro Summit Recreation Area, Cimarron, CO. 

2960 ft elevation gain/loss; run on dirt roads. A new event with prize money! $1000 to first male and female. 7 finishers, four women and three men.

• May 17 - Grand Canyon Ultras 50km, 50 mi, 100m. A new event this year. Start/finish near the Rainbow Rim trail. 16 finishers in 100 miler, including:
  

15th   Bobby Keogh (M 65)   31:35:50

• May 24 - Jemez Mountain runs (50 mi, 50 km, plus a half-marathon). Los Alamos, NM.
  

New courses this year avoiding Caballo Peak due to fires last year. The 50 km climbs Pajarito Mountain (10441 ft) once, the 50 milers twice. This is the 9th running of these ultras, making this the most established ultra event in NM. Almost all ultra-runners in the area took part in one or other of these events. A new event record in 50 mi by Anton Krupicka (8:07:07). Full results at ultrasignup.

FEBRUARY 2014

• February 1 - Rocky Raccoon 100 miler, Huntsville State Park, TX. This race is the USATF 100 mile trail championship for 2014. Conditions warm and humid, with late rain:  486 starters, 279 finishers (58%).

1774th David Infante (M 49) 25:05:49
244th Bobby Keogh (M 64) 28:58:36
Also 50 mi:  5 starters, 4 finishers, including Dianna Keogh (F 58)16:28:40

JANUARY 2014

• January 1 - The Foothills 50k in the Albuquerque Fat-Ass 50 series. 11 runners completed the 50km distance, with 18 others doing shorter distances. Full results at http://newmexicofa50k.wordpress.com/foothills-50k-results/

• January 11 - San Tan Scramble 50km, San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Queen Creek, AZ (S.E. of Phoenix)

15th Jean Herbert (F 57) 5:29:49
27th Maria Ladd (F 51) 6:13:07
28th Kurt Coonrod (M 53) 6:18:02

• January 25 - Coldwater Rumble, Glendale, AZ Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Goodyear, AZ Various distances, including for the first time, 100 miles. 52 of 86 starters finished the inaugural 100 mile (60%).
  52km:     16th Amy McQuitty (F 33) 8:28:09
  100 mi:   49th Bobby Keogh (M 64) 31:20:35

Chris McElveny and Jason Bousliman did 4 of the 5 20-mile loops.

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DECEMBER 2013

• December 28, 2013-Jan 3, 2014  -- Across the Years Camelback Ranch, Glendale AZ
  24hr, 48hr, 72hr, or 6-Day

Loops on a 1.05 trail at the spring training facilities for the L.A. Dodgers. Another Aravaipa Runners event.
NM Runners included:
24-hr:  Cynthia Hammond (F 45) 41.992 mi
Hanna Arzigian (F 21 Edgewood) 41.992 mi
David Infante (M 49) 74.535 mi
Chris Peverada (M 26) 74.535 mi
Vlad Henzl (M 35) 88.183 mi
72-hr:   Jim Arzigian (M 60 Edgewood) 101.83 miles


NOVEMBER 2013

• November 9 - White Mesa Fat Ass 50 km
  San Ysidro, NM. 

Self-monitored loops on BLM White Mesa bike trails. 9 runners completed the four laps for the full distance, led by Clifton Trujillo in 5:54 and Chris McElveny in 5:55. 24 participants in all. Thanks to Kelly Garcia for organizing the event.

• November 9 - Bootlegger 50 km
  (USATF National 50 km trail championships)
  In Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, NV.

67th   Kathy Kirsling   8:08:08  (age-group National 50km trail champion!)

• November 16 - Pass Mountain 50km
  Usery Mountain Regional Park, 
Mesa, AZ

11th   Jim Breyfogle   5:25:11


OCTOBER 2013

• October 5 - Arkansas Traveler 100 mile
  Perryville, AR
  

A personal favorite race because of the people.
Ian Maddieson           30:26:00

• October 12 - Canyon de Chelly Ultra (55km)
  Run in Canyon de Chelly on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. Race limited to 100. 83 finishers. Lots of ARR runners:

9th       Ken Gordon             M48        5:20:30
12th    Chris McElveny       M 41       5:28:50
24th    Roger Squires          M52        5:54:10
25th    Richard Knapp         M61         5:54:50
29th    James Breyfogle     M31         6:09:30
38th    Brian Pilgrim           M47         6:44:22
44th    Steven Grossman   M53        7:09:34
69th    Jane Cudney             F44          8:54:31
70th    Margaret Ochs        F38          8:54:32
81st    Misty Pilgrim            F48        10:08:25

• October 12 - Durango Double
  (50km trail run, as well as other races)

50km:    32nd     Nicholas Juskiewicz       8:15:00
               (Disqualified in marathon for missing a timing mat!)

• October 19 - Deadman Peaks 50 mi and trail marathon, Cuba NM 

4th annual. Directed by Jim Breyfogle and Kim King. Supporting Pancan.org — Research and Support for Pancreatic Cancer. New this year a one-way trip on the trail for a longer than a marathon run from the turnaround back to the start/finish of the longer race.
- 26 finishers in 50 miler - New course record in 50 miler by Jacob Lawence of St. Paul MN in 8:50:40
- 21 in marathon including Jean Herbert, 3rd overall in 4:42:18.

• October 19 - Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line 100 mile Ultra & Relay

First annual. An under-the-radar event that popped up with short notice. Entry cap 200 runners, 30 hr time-limit, unusual 2:00 p.m. start time, route mostly on the Arizona Trail, 7000ft gain. Solo and 4 or 6-person relay teams. Fund-raiser for the Arizona Trail Foundation among others. Race director Ian Torrence. Big-name entrants listed pre-event included Ann Trason, Eric Clifton, Dan Brenden, but several did not show. 26 starters, 17 finishers (65%). Ann Trason did run, coming back after a long lay-off and finished in 29:42:00.
ARR finisher  -  14th    Andrea Feucht      26:14

• October 26 - Javelina Jundred 100mi & 100km
  Paradise Valley, AZ

Loops of the Pemberton Trail, McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
100 miles finishers
16th      Chris McElveny (Albuquerque)         M41      21:45:00
24th      Erin Churchill (Rio Rancho)                F32        22:56:21
78th      Clifford Matthews (Albuquerque)    M50      26:50:59

100km (drop down from 100 mi)
Neil Blake       (Rio Rancho)    M48      12:43:39
Bobby Keogh (Tijeras)            M64      17:25:09

SEPTEMBER 2013

• September 6 - Wasatch Front 100 mile
  East of Salt Lake City UT.
  

 36 hr time limit. Final leg of the Grand Slam. Won by Nick Clark in 20:24:26, Ian Sharman second in 21:01:30 recording the fastest aggregate time for the Grand Slam of 69:49:38, more than 5 hours faster than any previous Grand Slammer (his times: Western States 16:20:25, Vermont 15:57:42, Leadville 16:30:01, Wasatch 21:01:30).

Only NM finisher:  Ferdinand De Souza (El Prado, M 60) in 34:05:14

• September 13 - Run Rabbit Run 50 mi and 100 mile. Steamboat Springs CO

100 mile ‘tortoises’ start five hours before the ‘hares’. Men’s winner, Jason Schlarb (Missoula, MT, 35) in 17:15:29; Women’s winner, Michele Yates (Littleton, CO, 31) in 20:16:54). 64% finish rate for ‘hares’, 77% finish rate for ‘tortoises’, including
     Richard Iverson in 29:38:22
     Margaret Ochs in 29:44:12 
50 mile finishers included Jean Herbert 10:49:29.

• September 15 - Flagstaff Endurance Runs, 50 mi and 50 km (2nd annual)

On forest roads and trails in the Coconino National Forest; tough climbs at high altitude. 50 km finishers included:

      Emily Kagan      (F32 Albuquerque)        7:46:33
      Andrea Feucht      (F39 Cedar Crest)      8:23:30

• September 21 - Javelina Jangover Night Runs Paradise Valley, AZ
  

Loops of the Pemberton Trail, McDowell Mountain Regional Park. 50km, 75km and 100km ultras, plus 25km and 7km races.
     Erin Churchill (Rio Rancho) in 75km

• September 27 - The Bear 100 mi
  Logan UT to Fish Haven ID

Cap of 300 runners. 36 hour time limit, 21,986' of climb.

• September 28 - Mt Taylor 50km (2nd annual)  Grants NM
  

A great success for Race Director Ken Gordon and all the rest of the ARR organizing team. Great weather, but course a little rockier than for inaugural 2012 race. Won by last year’s runner-up, Chris Peverada (UNM Linguistics Department!) in 4:30:46 and Michelle Hummel in 5:33:07. Local finishers too numerous to list.

• September 28 - Mogollon Monster 106 mile
  Pine AZ
  

“An advanced degree endurance race” according to the race director’s description. Time limit 36 hours. 23 finishers out of 44 starters (52%).
Won by Steven Moore in 21:34:00 with 5½ hour lead over runner-up.

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AUGUST 2013

• August 10 - Katcina Mosa 100K Mountain Run

Near Provo UT. 50 finishers this year, none from NM, but new women’s record by Meghan Hicks (Park City, UT) in 13:25:47, 3rd overall.

• August 17 - Leadville 100

Leadville CO. Course adjusted to shorten it back to 100 from the almost 103 of last year’s event. 30 hr time limit. 497 finishers out of 944 starters (53% finish rate). Won by Britain’s Ian Sharman in 16:30:02. A lot of attrition among ARR participants, but notable performances by:

59th     Katrin Silva    23:16:25 (4th woman overall, 1st in 40-49 age group)
219th    Ken Gordon     27:33:54
399th    Cliff Matthews     29:18:32

• August 24 - Lean Horse 100

Hot Springs SD. In the Black Hills, mostly on a rail-trail. 73 finishers. 30 hour time limit. Two ARR finishers, both under 24 hours.
30th     Steve Grossman     23:40:51
31st     Bobby Keogh      23:50:11

• August 30 - Idaho Mountain Trail Ultra Festival (IMTUF) 100 mi

Burgdorf Hot Springs, McCall ID. 36 hour time limit, around 26000 ft elevation gain. No NM finishers listed among the 19 who completed the course in time.

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JUNE-JULY 2013

• June 22 - Angel Fire Ultras 
  100 mi, 50 mi, 50 km

On the same out-and-back 12.5-mile route as in the inaugural races
last year.

3 finishers in 100 mi, including
3rd    Megan Dell  (Albuquerque)    F    40    31:37:2

14 finishers in 50 mile, including
4th     James Breyfogle  (Rio Rancho)    M    31   10:20:41

29 finishers in 50 km, including
8th       Sarah  Dufay  (Sandia Park)   F   36   7:42:51
9th       Kameron Straight  (Albuquerque)   F   40   8:07:44
11th     Cheryl  Duran  (Tijeras)   F   51   8:27:18
21st     Kim  King  (Edgewood)   F   48   10:15:14
22nd    Randy  Lexvold  (Albuquerque)   M   43   10:31:12
23rd     Dianna  Keogh  (Tijeras)   F   57   11:09:01
24th =  Brian & Rene  Martin  (Albuquerque)   M   44,   F   48      11:33:58
28th =  Erin & Lisa  Mayer  (Albuquerque)   F   42,   F   39     13:17:12

• June 29 - Western States 100 mi

Olympic Valley to Auburn, CA. 277 finishers out of out of 383 starters (72 % finish rate, despite high heat)

81st Ken Gordon (Albuquerque)   M   48    23:35:03
97th   Eric  Pope  (Albuquerque)   M   50    24:07:07
107th  Katrin  Silva  (Las Vegas)    F    42    24:58:32

• July 12 - Hardrock 100. Silverton CO

Won by Sebastien Chaigneau of France in 24:25:50 in the second fastest race time. 104 finishers within 48 hr time limit out of 143 starters (73% finish rate). Some of the local runners’ times:

21st     David Coblentz    M     50 33:55:52
28th     Blake Wood    M     54    36:46:42
53rd     Bill Geist    M     42    40:40:50
55th      Neil Blake    M     48    40:48:15
74th     Ken Gordon    M     48     42:54:07
84th     Steve Pero    M     61     44:39:48
90th     Dennis Drey    M     61    45:52:31
102nd   Deb Pero    F     58     47:43:58
106th    Jean Herbert    F   56     48:38:15

• July 20 - Vermont 100. Woodstock VT

205 finishers out of 308 starters (67% finish rate)

172nd   Ian Maddieson    M    70    28:19: 37