[Author’s Note: This article is part of an occasional series on the unique opportunities and challenges of growing older as a runner.]
Final weekend, I participated within the Crown King Scramble 50k, a race in central Arizona that runs from the desert flooring north of Phoenix to the historic mining city of Crown King, excessive within the Bradshaw Mountains. Established again in 1987 by a small and hardy group of Phoenix space ultrarunners who had been coaching for the Western States 100, Crown King has lengthy been a staple of the Arizona working group, bringing runners again 12 months after 12 months to run the point-to-point internet uphill course.
AJW (middle) on the end of the 2026 Crown King Scramble 50k. Photograph: Aravaipa Operating
Going into this 12 months’s race, I hoped to enhance on my 2025 time and maybe come near my 2024 time. The fantastic thing about the Crown King course is that it by no means adjustments. For some seemingly divine motive, the rugged grime street from the boat ramp on the east finish of Lake Nice to the entrance entrance of the Crown King Saloon is precisely 50k, and it proves to be an trustworthy check 12 months after 12 months.
Having run 7:44 in 2024 and eight:10 in 2025, I actually wasn’t certain what I used to be able to this 12 months, particularly with temperatures forecast to be within the 90s Fahrenheit. From Lake Nice, I began out slowly and settled in with a bunch of different Crown King veterans to go the miles of the primary half. I arrived at mile 15.4 in 3:17 and mentioned to myself, “I believe I might be able to sneak in underneath eight hours.”
The warmth dissipated barely as we climbed out of the desert and into the mountains, and I discovered myself not slowing down like I often do late on this race. Having been so busy with shifting for many of February, my coaching had been lower than very best, however within the second, I felt I used to be working inside myself, staying sturdy, and slowly distancing myself from the group I had spent a lot of the morning working with. Possibly this may be a kind of days!
Whereas AJW’s coaching within the Sonoran Desert hadn’t been very best, he nonetheless received to have a special occasion out on target. Photograph: Andy Jones-Wilkins
I strode into Oro Belle, the help station at 27 miles, with 6:49 on the clock. I knew from previous expertise that I might comfortably run the final four-mile part — two miles up and two miles down — in about an hour, so I ever so barely took the foot off the fuel and cruised to a 7:48 end, 22 minutes sooner than 2025.
As a runner in my late fifties, it’s uncommon for me to enhance on my previous efforts. In actual fact, it looks as if a lot of the time, I’m merely attempting to not lose an excessive amount of from my earlier runs. But, every now and then, the celebs align, and small enhancements reveal themselves. The 2026 Crown King Scramble was one such time. As older athletes, and older folks for that matter, we frequently must take what the day offers us. Some days are good and a few days are unhealthy, after which you’ve that uncommon day if you harness one thing particular from the previous, and it turns into an excellent day. It was good to have a kind of final weekend.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Machine Home Brewery in Seattle, Washington. Specializing in British-style beers, Machine Home brews some improbable classics. Invincible Lager is a tasty British pub-style lager brewed with British malt and British and Czech hops, creating a really distinctive brew.
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As you age, how do you come to phrases with slowly shedding floor in your youthful self?
Have you ever had a “a kind of days” expertise currently?
