The following was emailed to 2014 run participants on 4/29/2014
Presented by
Dear 2014 WS Entrant,
Hope your training is going well… Just 60 days until Dr Lind fires the shotgun in Squaw Valley to start the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run! This is your second Runner Update.
Preparations are going well from our end. The biggest challenge and effort has been getting the trail open after the American Fire burned approximately 19 miles of the Western States Trail last August. This has been an incredible collaborative effort on the part of the WSER trail crew and our dedicated partners: the Western States Trail Foundation (The Tevis), the US Forest Service, and the talented eight-member AmeriCorps crew, together with the many enthusiastic, skilled volunteers whose love of the trail inspires their hard work.
Pacific Slab Bridge Stringers
The fire burned two bridges that we use in the race. The smaller Pacific Slab bridge just west of Last Chance will be replaced this coming weekend. The Swinging Bridge over the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River will not be replaced until after the race. We will be fording that river with the aid of a cable. The crossing is not as long as the Rucky Chuck crossing at mile 78, but you will get wet. It is likely to be top-of-shorts level or less come Race Day. At mile 46, in the heat of the day just before you climb the steep switchbacks to the oasis known as Devil’s Thumb, this will be refreshing…and a special memory of Western States 2014.
To find out about upcoming trail work opportunities, please visit the joint trail work website wstrail.org.
Bib Numbers
Last weekend I assigned the bib numbers. I tried to give everybody the bib number they requested. Your number will not change so go ahead and use it on your crew shirts or drop bags.
Service Requirement and General Information Form
Your service requirement forms must received by May 15, 2014. Please check the confirmation page to ensure that your form has been received. Please don’t wait until the last minute, or make us contact you to ask where it is. This is a requirement of the WSER board, and has been so since 1998.
Please also take a few minutes to fill out the General Information Form so that Tropical John Medinger will have something to say about you as you run around the track at Placer HS on June 28 or 29.
Race Program
The 2014 race program will be available as a pdf download about two weeks before the race. You will receive your hard copy up at Squaw Valley when you check in. This will include a list of all runners, aid station information, shuttle service, etc.
Research and Medical Conference
In addition to trail stewardship and putting on a world-class 100 mile endurance run, the Western States Endurance Run Foundation is committed to supporting and promoting medical research to increase understanding of the effects of endurance sports on the human body. There will be several research studies this year. Details on participating in this year’s research studies will be sent out about six weeks before the race.
It’s not too late to register for the first Medicine and Science in Ultra Endurance Sports conference, which will be held on June 24 and 25 in Squaw Valley. Registration is $300, and medical professionals can get CME credits for attending. If you know somebody who might be interested in attending, please forward them the information.
Training Run Weekend
After the Cal St Memorial Weekend Training Run on Sunday, May 25, we have a special evening planned. Gordy Ainsleigh, Shannon Weil, and Dr. Bob Lind will talk about the birth of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. The discussion will be facilitated by 25-time WS finisher Tim Twietmeyer and 10-time finisher John Trent. Details can be found here.
Shannon Weil 1979
If we don’t see you at the training runs, we’ll #seeyouinsquaw.
Train Smart,
Craig Thornley, Race Director
