Yesterday afternoon the race was cut short for nearly all runners at mile 51, Washington Park.  This decision was made because of the high risk of flash floods along the Hell's Gate section of the Highline Trail and exposure along the trail and the climb up Myrtle to lightning strikes.  The access to miles 51-59 is extremely limited and navigation and terrain along that section is the toughest of the course.  Allowing runners to cross (in the dark for most) the numerous ravines, directly in a flash flood zone, exposed to lightning strikes (which are very frequent and common along the Rim) was a major safety risk, I as the Race Director, was not willing to take.  

This decision is understandably frustrating to some who naturally wanted to finish the race and continue on in what they felt was just inclement weather.  Under normal circumstances rain would not be sufficient reason for a cancellation however in this region and on this terrain extreme amounts of rain can be very dangerous.  The storm that knocked out power to 75,000 people in Phoenix, tore roofs off buildings with 60+mph winds, closed roadways, traveled north and hit the course dumping the course with rain, strong winds and dropped the temperature almost 15 degrees almost instantaneously.   

The four lead runners passed through Washington Park mile 51 nearly an hour before the storm hit and ultimately were stopped at Hell's Gate Aid Station and brought back down. 5th place and on back were held at Washington Park until the unanimous decision was made to cancel the race and avoid a potentially disastrous situation with dozens of more runners entering a fast deteriorating trail and high risk of flash flooding. Storms were forecast'd throughout the evening with more lightning.  This proved to be accurate as it continued to downpour on and off, drenching an already saturated terrain further increasing flash flood risks long after the race was called off.  

I know this region and these trails better than most anyone.  I've spent an extensive amount of time on every section, in every kind of climate, weather, and scenario.  While some runners are better suited for these challenging scenarios, with more experience in that kind of weather, the consideration for the safety of ALL runners had to be taken into account.  

I don't expect all the runners to agree with this decision.  Nor do they need to.  I have a responsibility for the safety of all the runners, volunteers, crews, and these take priority over qualifying for Hardrock, reaching a personal running goal or obtaining a buckle.  It is very unfortunate and disappointing for all of us.  I spend a great deal of my time, my weekends, my evenings and my free time in general, on top of a very busy work schedule, to put on this race with the help of a lot of friends and volunteers.  I've heard people complaining that we canceled the race "because it was raining."  That is not accurate.  Because of the excessive rain, and the terrain of the area, we are heavily prone to flash flooding in the area.  Both the runners and along the control road where all the runners family and crew were driving to meet them.  I've heard the Bear 100 rained for 12 hours and they didn't cancel their race.  Bear is in Utah.  We are in Arizona.  You can't compare the two just because they both had raindrops.  Different terrain, different landscapes, significantly different flash flood potentials.  

For those that are downright angry with me for making this decision I ask for you to take a deep breath.  It's just running.  It's just a race.  I cannot control the weather and I stand by my decision as the right one.  There is an overwhelming number of veteran ultrarunners, RD's that were present and those in the race itself that stated their agreement with the decision based on the facts at hand.  This wasn't a decision that was made lightly or one that any of us wanted to see happen.  We spent the next four hours after the cancellation working to orchestrate an evacuation of all the runners from the course that chose not to run the safer sections coming down the Rim to Washington Park.  Crews, volunteers, HAM radio support were incredibly generous with their time and vehicle space to get people back to Pine. We had all the runners accounted for by 9pm and everyone off the course.  

I am truly greatful for all the support from the runners coming off the Rim for 51 miles and their understanding of the decision.  Your overwhelming support is appreciated. Hopefully in 2015 we can have weather more in line with the first two years, 75 and sunny.

Until then...   

For the sake of how much I love maps...here is the first detailed forecast for each location of the course.  It's still a forecast...so take it with a grain of salt.  But given the various elevations and how the landscape can alter the weather in this area, the weather does change depending on where you are on the course.  So if nothing else, it's another cool map!

Here are some final updates for everyone's information.  As we are obviously very close to the race and many of our are packing or already traveling, here are the last thoughts and items you should know.  

Weather - It's going to rain.  Bring a jacket.  I strongly suggest a hat and gloves in your drop bag at Washington Park to take out with you to Hell's Gate and your trip to Buck Springs AS.  I don't care where you live right now, it's cold as heck up on the Rim when you are wet and it's 2am.  It may only get to 25-30 degrees but it's a very bitter 25-30 degrees. We had a number of runners reaching hypothermia for the late miles on the Cabin Loop last year.  A fresh set of dry clothes at Buck Springs or Pinchot would be a great idea.  

Drop Bags - You can leave them at the start from 5am Saturday until you take off.  We'll have them lined up in the parking lot to just drop off by the sign for that respective station.  No drop bags for Hell's Gate and make sure you can easily see your bib number and names on each bag.  We'll bring all drop bags back to the finish line as each station closes so you can pick it up there.  

Crew - There are a number of maps on this website that are useful for finding your way around the course with your runner.  http://www.mogollonmonster100.com/crew-driving-instructions.html  I don't suggest visiting Pinchot Cabin aid stations.  It's just a lot of driving along dirt roads but you're welcome to it if you want.  If you drive to any aid station as a crew please make sure you park safely along the road leaving ample space for emergency vehicles access if necessary.  If you are going to Washington Park aid station you likely won't be able to park all the way at the top of the station.  Please park on the right (east) side of the road again leaving plenty of space for fire trucks/ambulance. This is VERY IMPORTANT.  You cannot access Hell's Gate Aid station. Don't even try, you'll destroy your vehicle.

Camping - Many people camp out for this race all weekend.  This is possible anywhere within the Coconino National Forest (top of the Rim) and most anywhere on the lower part of the Rim which is Tonto National Forest.  Both these agencies we receive special use permits for use of the area with this race.  Due to several reasons the Tonto NF has closed down camping at Washington Park.  IF YOU CAMP THERE YOU CAN RISK OUR FUTURE ABILITY TO GET A PERMIT.  You can also get a ticket.  That's on you, but please do not camp along the river, they are beautiful and tempting spots but they are no longer available. Blame the leopard frog and lazy white trash people that throw diapers in the river.  We are only allowed for overnight use for the aid station, nothing along the river or "no camping" signs.  It's unfortunate and hopefully changes in the future.  All the other aid stations it's OK to camp, go for it.  

Course Marking - Nearly the entire course is marked with  yellow 3" plastic ribbons that say "MOG100."  Follow these and anything that is yellow.  There are some shorter sections that are 1" yellow ribbons without "MOG100" on them.  Those are ok too, we had someone steal some ribbon rolls and reflective tape...so had to improvise...yellow is good.  Red is bad.  

There is a lot of yellow high intensity 3M reflective tape out there on the trees, manzantia, on the ribbons themselves, on the trees which have "official" trail markers.  We put it out there to make it easy to follow in the grassy sections, open meadows, and in general the night sections.  During the day these are also nice confidence markers. Overall, the course has more markers on it than last year. Its still a challenging area to navigate at times.  Study the course map, pay attention and don't always trust the person in front of you.  Bring a map.  It's no coincidence the last two years winners meticulously studied the course maps on their own and carried it with them.  

I will not be able to answer any last minute emails or requests until packet pickup at THAT Brewery on Friday.  We'll be there from 4pm-7pm and a little after for those that can't get up sooner.  We'll also provide bibs/packets from 5am -5:45am on race day at the trailhead. We'd like to have your pacer's contact information (cell is fine) provided and an updated emergency contact number that we'll have you fill out when you check in.  

ALL RUNNERS have to check in with us on Saturday morning.  We'll have a small table set up, please make sure we have checked you off as present before we start.  You need to do this even if we saw you the night before.  

5:45am I'll have a few quick updates on the course, and then we'll get you all off.  There are three porta-potties at the trailhead as of Friday afternoon.  Camping is open at the trailhead and you can leave your car there all weekend.  We'll shuttle you back to the car after you crush those 106 miles.  

Anyone that sprints the last 100 meters through the finish line will forever be my hero. 

Don't finish with anything in the tank.  Leave it in Pine.  

The 2014 Race Manual is updated and on the site he http://www.mogollonmonster100.com/2014-race-manual.html


September 20th and 21st we are going to be marking nearly all of the course.  We will have many smaller groups taking on different segments of the course.  If you'd like to help out please send me an email at azadventures@getoutgetlost.com. 

If you'd like to volunteer for the event, please look at this link for various opportunities, we'd love to have your help and support.  If you just want to see what all the whoopla is about, come up on Sunday and hang out a the finish line.  There are few things more exhilarating than the sound of cheering from 1/2 mile away as you finish a 100 mile race.  Come be a part of that cheering!

If you haven't seen this course preview video it's pretty cool.  Check it out:

http://www.mogollonmonster100.com/updates/course-preview-video


We've got all kinds of cool stuff in the works for this years race.  Excited to have the biggest field yet, and easily the most competitive.  Looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple weeks!