It has been fairly a unprecedented 14 months on the earth of 100-mile path working in North America. Beginning with the Western States 100 final yr and ending with the Leadville 100 Mile final weekend, we’ve got seen three performances which have discovered their manner into my listing of the highest three males’s and girls’s performances of all time and, in so doing, have knocked off three legendary performances from yesteryear.
Previous to June 2023, my high three North American ladies’s 100-mile performances of all time seemed like this:
Ann Trason – 1994 Leadville 100 Mile
Ellie Greenwood – 2012 Western States 100
Ann Trason – 1994 Western States 100
Then alongside got here the 2023 Western States 100 and Courtney Dauwalter’s mind-bending 15:29 course file run. With that, Trason’s 1994 Western States 100 run was got rid of the listing, and Greenwood’s 2012 Western States 100 efficiency was relegated to 3rd.
A yr later, this previous June, Katie Schide — who completed second on the 2023 Western States 100 behind Dauwalter — gained in 15:46, and bumped Greenwood off the listing totally. As of at present, due to this fact, my ladies’s podium appears like this:
Courtney Dauwalter – 2023 Western States 100
Ann Trason – 1994 Leadville 100 Mile
Katie Schide – 2024 Western States 100
Katie Schide, 2024 Western States 100 champion. Picture: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
On the lads’s aspect, earlier than final weekend’s historic run on the Leadville 100, my North American males’s high three 100-mile performances of all time seemed like this:
Jim Walmsley – 2019 Western States 100
Jim O’Brien – 1989 Angeles Crest 100 Mile
Matt Carpenter – 2005 Leadville 100 Mile
With David Roche’s unbelievable course file run on the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile, Carpenter’s identify was got rid of the listing, making my present podium appear like this:
Jim Walmsley – 2019 Western States 100
Jim O’Brien – 1989 Angeles Crest 100 Mile
David Roche – 2024 Leadville 100 Mile
David Roche profitable the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile and setting a brand new course file. Picture: Life Time
Whereas these rankings are solely mine, and definitely topic to evaluation and criticism, it’s fascinating to notice what number of of those performances have occurred just lately, no matter the place one would possibly rank them.
A lot has been stated in regards to the present state of long-distance path working and ultrarunning, and the growing professionalism within the sport. I imagine this — together with vital enhancements in coaching, vitamin, sneakers, and kit — has made excellent performances extra frequent.
At this level, it’s arduous to say the place the ceiling is likely to be. That being stated, it additionally highlights how spectacular the performances of Carpenter, Trason, and O’Brien have been within the context of historical past. I, for one, am curious to see the place this file development will go as we see the continued progress and evolution of the game. I stay up for being alongside for the experience.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from David Roche’s hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Mountain Solar Pub and Brewery is a Boulder brewery specializing in small batches of scrumptious beer. Annapurna Amber is a smooth-drinking Vienna Lager that transports one again to the Alps. Crisp and refreshing, Annapurna Amber is the quintessential summer time mountain beer.
Name for Feedback
What are your high three female and male ultrarunning performances ever?
What different extraordinary runs have occurred previously yr?
