Within the interval between September, 2009 and September, 2010, I imagine that 34-year-old Alaskan ultrarunner Geoff Roes had the only biggest 12 months of any male athlete ever in path ultrarunning.
After back-to-back wins and course information on the Wasatch Entrance 100 Mile and the Bear 100 Mile in September that 12 months, Roes scorched the course report on the Mountain Masochist 50 Mile in a mind-blowing time of 6:27. A month later he completed second on the extremely aggressive The North Face 50 Mile Championships in San Francisco, California, earlier than operating off a streak of consecutive wins and course information on the American River 50 Mile, Western States 100, and Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile. To the shock of nobody, he was named the 2010 North American “Ultrarunning Journal” Ultrarunner of the 12 months.
Geoff Roes operating on the 2010 The North Face 50 Mile Championships the place he took second behind Miguel Heras. Picture: Krissy Moehl
Instances have definitely modified within the sport since Geoff’s unbelievable streak nearly 15 years in the past, as runners today are inclined to race much less regularly, and the aggressive finish of the game is unfold throughout occasions around the globe. That mentioned, nonetheless, till just lately, now we have not seen a stretch of ultrarunning from a person just like the one Geoff pulled off in 2009 to 2010. With David Roche’s current win at Javelina 100 Mile in October on the heels of his course report win on the Leadville 100 Mile in August, I can’t assist however marvel, is David Roche on his solution to having his Geoff Roes second?
It must be famous that whereas Geoff burst onto the scene in 2008, and rapidly ascended to the highest of the game, David has been at it for a very long time. Nevertheless, till just lately, his focus has been on shorter-distance races the place he has carried out fairly properly. I acquired a first-hand view of David’s health again in March on the Crown King Scramble 50k, right here in Arizona. Whereas he didn’t win, David ran stride-for-stride with Flagstaff speedster Ryan Raff earlier than ending second in 3:44 to Raff’s 3:41. Each of these occasions had been beneath the earlier course report at what is likely one of the oldest races on the Arizona path operating circuit.
David Roche profitable the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile and setting a brand new course report. Picture: Life Time
In August, David jumped into the primary 100 miler of his profession on the Leadville 100 Mile and proceeded to placed on a masterclass in pacing and fueling on the way in which to beating Matt Carpenter’s 19-year-old course report at that iconic race. David was fairly open in saying that it was his objective to go after Carpenter’s legendary report and he executed his plan completely. Then, simply final month, David returned to Arizona, this time to the Javelina 100 Mile. On a traditionally sizzling day, he received the race in 12:45, simply two minutes off the course report, and in doing so punched himself a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100 in June, 2025.
On the threat of getting too far forward of myself, I believe if David pulls off the win on the Western States 100 in a sub-14-hour time, which he has informed me is his objective, I’d say that it’s definitely Geoff Roes-ish. Moreover, assuming David jumps into one or two tune-up races between every now and then, we might see a 12 months even higher than Geoff’s 15 years in the past. What a good time to be an ultrarunning fan.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from David Roche’s hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Saison, from Sanitas Brewing Firm is a traditional Belgian type beer that’s barely fruity with a contact of spice. Weighing in at 5.9% ABV, it’s splendidly drinkable and an ideal accompaniment to a pleasant autumn day within the Rockies.
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