SpeedGoat 50K

Months ago, Brian suggested that we volunteer for SpeedGoat 50K race.  He said that he wanted to see the course and it would be good to give back.  After talking about it, I told him we should get Lynn and Jim to do it with us too.  So, he talked to everyone and emailed Karl.  Next thing I knew we were set to go.  This past week we went to Karl Meltzer's home to pick up our volunteer shirts, have dinner and learn about the race. 
Well, yesterday was the day we had been waiting for.  The best part was there were several big time names in the race.  This made the race more exciting.  In the trail running community there is Kilian Jornet a Spaniard that is the fastest in the world.  Anton Krupicka, who is American ultra runner, and is very fast too.  It was not known of these two men who would win the race.  Anna Frost is from New Zealand, and is the fast woman, there was not a question as to who would win the women's.
The four of us were at the Hidden Peak Aid Station, which the runners went through 2 times.  They first had a race to the top for $1000 dollars (about 8 miles) and the first one to our aid won that money.  The first one to the top for the men was Rickey Gates (another well known American runner) beating Kilian by just a hair.  The first to the top for women Anna.  We helped these folks and they were off.  Many runners then came through and we had a blast helping them and getting them on there way.  This was the view from the aid station.  Doesn't it look like you are just going to run off the mountain?  Unfortunately, there was a cut off time and we had to pull 4 runners from the race.  Bummer.

When the elite started coming through again (mile 26) it was so interesting to watch them climb the mountain.  Kilian came in first, Rickey second, Max King (the fastest marathoner out of all of them) third, Anton 4th.  For the women Anna was first and I was not sure who the other women were.  Brian helped Kilian, Anton and Anna fill their water bottles which were 6-8 oz flasks, insane.  They carried them in their shorts.  I helped Max by filling his water bottle.  It was cool to be in the presence of some the top trail runners in the sport.  We also, saw my friends hubby Jeremy and many other runners that were amazing.  The race results were as follows Kilian won the race, but due to the fact that he cut the switchbacks he was not eligible for the prize money, Rickey won the 1st place prize, and course record, Max took second and Anton took third for the men.  Anna took first for the women, but did not set a course record.

Kilian

Rickey

Anton

Anna

Joe Grant (another good runner)

Jeremy (friends hubby)

Jim and Brian are chomping at the bit to run this race next year, while Lynn and I are going to volunteer it again so we can be there to cheer them on.  It really was a great day and it feels like a once in a lifetime experience.  I am so grateful to Bri to getting us all on board and making it happen.