Well, here we are.
We're opening up registration on January 1st at 7am this year with the same size limits as before, about 150 runners. Last year we had 44 entrants, 37 starters so I doubt that will be an issue. However, many, many runners flat out avoided the race in 2012 due to it being an inaugural race and have expressed serious interest in the 2013 running. Having said that, I doubt there will be any real rush to sign up on the 1st. But with so many races filling right away (Vermont 100 took 2 months last year, filled in 48 hours this year...) and others in a lottery you just never know.
If you didn't make it out last year take a gander at some of the race reports from our runners. The most thorough being our final finisher, Deron Ruse's he wrote for Trailrunningclub.com. You can read it here.
2014 QUalifiers
Hardrock 100 is reviewing the race for a 2014 Hardrock Qualifier. They typically do not let new races make the qualifying race but Run Rabbit Run 100 and Pine to Palm 100 both were given the distinction very early on (RRR before a runner had even left the starting line) so maybe they'll consider it. We're confident the race's level of difficulty warrants consideration but will have to wait until their decision is made, which likely will be another year before potentially becoming a qualifier.
We are still a 4 point UTMB race and expect to be so again in 2013 for the 2014 UTMB. We were a 4 point race in 2012 for the 2013 race.
Finding Bigfoot - The Mogollon Monster
Here's the trailer for the episode of Finding Bigfoot on Animal Planet. It's just a small notch below 60 Minutes type quality...
Ok, it's terrible BUT think about how scared you're going to be if you hear two rocks smacking together out there in the middle of the night??!! (For those that haven't seen it yet according to the Apache's they brought on for the show the "hairy people" knock two rocks together to let each other know they are nearby.")
Still though, all jokes aside, there are quite a few fairly believable stories that came out of this and from people that don't seem totally crazy. I still remember the story and how serious it was told from the innkeeper at the B&B my wife and I stayed at last April in Payson. At some point there are just too many stories from different people for it ALL to be crazy talk...
Right?
"This race is only for the elite of the elite" - Virginia Happy Trails Running Club quote from 2012
2013 Changes
We will however start on a Saturday versus a Friday. And a more traditional start time of 6am. We liked the Friday start time for many reasons but it restricted our availability to get certain volunteers up there and HAM radio operators. A Saturday start takes away those challenges so we'll switch it over.
Registration is again over at www.ultrasignup.com.
Saturday, September 28th, 2013. 6am.
Hope to see you there!