The Mogollon Monster Returns in 2013!! We've got an exciting year ahead of us in the second running of the Mogollon Monster 100 this coming September 28th, 2013. Last year we saw only 9 finishers come through the town of Pine, Arizona for the finish. Only one under 24 hours and zero that were female.
Will that change this fall? Already we have more entrants than last year and maybe not surprisingly, a large number of returning runners ready to take it on again after some tough DNF's in 2012. Probably also not a surprise that there are a good number of female runners entered looking to make it across that finish line for the first time in race history.
A couple updates for the summer:
We are planning on being up on the Rim quite a lot again in preparation for the race in both course clearing and general orientation for runners wanting to see the course prior to race day.
June 15th - 6am from Pine Trailhead where the race starts we'll run through to the first 3 aid stations before turning around at Geronimo AS location and then looping back up the Rim for what are miles 93-104 back at Pine Trailhead. Moderate pace just getting out there and seeing the course. It's about 26 miles with some hefty climbing and should take 6-8 hours, closer to 8 as a group. There likely will be some post race beer consumed at THAT Brewery across the street from Pine Trailhead. Yes, it's incredibly convenient. Also convenient? That I have this youtube video from a trip down Turkey Springs Trail last year that we'll be covering on this training run. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAZxBKCGZdA Just kind of makes you want to run doesn't it??
July 13th - 6am from Washington Park AS location we will be running up the Rim (well, not really "running" that part...) and east on the Rim Road and following the miles 26-53 of the Cabin Loop all on top of the Rim. We're in monsoon season by then so things get interesting in the late afternoon there. Good idea to pack a light shell. Just in case... This loop takes about 6 hours consistently as a group.
July 27th - 6am from Washington Park AS Location we'll run east on the Highline (see: HOT) and take on the Myrtle Trail climb up the Rim and to Buck Springs AS location. Then up the course to Pinchot Cabin AS and down Houston Brothers and back down to Washington Park. This is a doozy. 33 miles or so give or take a couple. It's some of the toughest sections of the whole course. I'll work out some drops to limit needs in carrying gear. Here's some video of this section from a training run last year...with full on monsoon hail storm included...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noB1B2kMRQU
August 10th - 6am - Course clearing of West Webber. There are a number of downed trees along West Webber all the way up to the top of the Rim. It's a beautiful section of old growth forest but the big Ponderosa's are not what you want to climb over with 95 miles under your legs. It's about a 3 mile hike up to the trailhead from Geronimo before the chainsaw work begins. Probably take about 4-6 hours.
August 24th - 7am start of the Cabin Loop 50K - This is a 5,000 foot 50K route from Washington Park along all the sections of the Cabin Loop including all of the Barbershop Trail which is beautiful. The ferns are chest high, it's 78 degrees at 7,000 feet and there's always a chance of rain up there. A great long run a month out from the race and a major break from the heat for us low landers suffering in the 110's all of summer. This is a SUNDAY run as I'll likely run the course on Saturday and mark it and then we can do it as a Fat Ass event for those that have a competitive side to them. Minimal aid, likely unmanned but a chance to run with less gear and at your own pace. Mark it down, it'll be fun!
September Weekends - ALL weekends are likely going to be course clearing or course marking weekends leading up to the race. I'll update the exact details as it gets closer. All previously mentioned dates are tentative as of now. I hope to keep them all as they are for planning sake but if they need to change I'll inform everyone of a new date. All runs are self supported for water and gear and all sections are challenging and difficult. If you bring someone else with you please make sure they are aware it's not an easy course and the elevation + heat + climbing + has beaten down more than some on this course. What I'm saying is...there is no rescue helicopter. I'm simply trying to provide a chance for people to see the course without getting lost. It's your responsibility to be fit enough and prepared enough without aid stations to make it through each pre-determined route. Got it? Good.
VOLUNTEERS - As with any ultra, especially 100's, you need a LOT of volunteers to make these things work. This race specifically is very accessible by car and camping is available for free in just about every aid station. Many are in amazing locations either deep in a forest, tucked under the Rim or looking out over the entire valley below. So if you, your crew, or anyone else is looking to volunteer and help out please direct them to this website to sign up for various jobs and shifts. This will help us keep it organized and each area well manned:
http://mog100.ivolunteer.com/mog100
REGISTRATION - What?! You haven't registered yet? Well, there is still time. We're a small race of some tough minded individuals who maybe thought Zane Grey wasn't enough or wondered what was up above that Rim while they were moving along the Highline Trail.
http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=18786
Updated Split Chart - I updated the aid station split chart and cutoff times here: http://www.mogollonmonster100.com/course-maps--descriptions.html
This reflects the Saturday morning start time of 6am instead of last years Friday at 10am start time. It's not in stone but it's as it stands for now. 36 hour cutoff is still in effect.
I hope to see you all out there and if not...good luck on your training this year and maybe we'll see you sometime soon!