Not much racing happening in Montana this week, which is a good thing considering the forest fire smoke, but a few Montana runners managed to turn in some great performances elsewhere:
Grand Slam of Ultrarunning: Tyler Bucklin of Conrad, MT, finished the Leadville 100 on Saturday to expand his overall lead in this year's Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. To finish the Slam, runners must complete the Western States 100, Vermont 100, Leadville 100, and Wasatch Front 100 all in a single summer. If Bucklin can maintain his lead through Wasatch he'll not only become the first Montana runner to win the Grand Slam, but he'll be the first Montana runner to finish the Grand Slam! Good luck Tyler!
Squamish 50: Missoulians Mike Foote and Jeremy Wolf had strong runs at this weekend's race, which could very well be the most competitive ultra in Canada. Foote took second overall and Wolf finished 6th, good enough to make them the top two Americans.
Next Weekend: Missoula runners Seth Swanson and Chase Parnell will be among the 2300 athletes toeing the line at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in Chamonix, France. If I'm not mistaken, it's the first time racing in Europe for each of them. Swanson, fresh off of his 2nd consecutive runner-up finish at Western States 100, should be a contender in this always deep field. UTMB covers 100 miles through the Alps. Montanans, present and former, have a history of strong showings there. In 2014, Jason Schlarb took 4th, Foote finished 5th in 2013, 3rd in 2012, and 11th in 2011. Mike Wolfe finished 2nd in 2010.
Mountain Monday: The ever-popular Montana Trail Crew group run is on for today. Noon at the Clark Fork Trout, Missoula. All are welcome to join for some, or all, of this run up Sentinel, which offers just enough of a challenge to make things interesting. Make this part of your routine.
Women's Group Run: From Kpat: Womens Group run tomorrow (Tuesday) 7:30am at Crazy Creek Trailhead. 6.5 mi 1200' gain. Katie Gibson will be taking the lead. Also: if you're not getting the emails about group runs and would like to, please contact us directly & we will get you on the list!
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| Tyler Bucklin: a man on a mission--a 400-mile mission! |
Grand Slam of Ultrarunning: Tyler Bucklin of Conrad, MT, finished the Leadville 100 on Saturday to expand his overall lead in this year's Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. To finish the Slam, runners must complete the Western States 100, Vermont 100, Leadville 100, and Wasatch Front 100 all in a single summer. If Bucklin can maintain his lead through Wasatch he'll not only become the first Montana runner to win the Grand Slam, but he'll be the first Montana runner to finish the Grand Slam! Good luck Tyler!
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| Jeremy and Mike - Credit: Jeremy Wolf via Facebook |
Next Weekend: Missoula runners Seth Swanson and Chase Parnell will be among the 2300 athletes toeing the line at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in Chamonix, France. If I'm not mistaken, it's the first time racing in Europe for each of them. Swanson, fresh off of his 2nd consecutive runner-up finish at Western States 100, should be a contender in this always deep field. UTMB covers 100 miles through the Alps. Montanans, present and former, have a history of strong showings there. In 2014, Jason Schlarb took 4th, Foote finished 5th in 2013, 3rd in 2012, and 11th in 2011. Mike Wolfe finished 2nd in 2010.
Mountain Monday: The ever-popular Montana Trail Crew group run is on for today. Noon at the Clark Fork Trout, Missoula. All are welcome to join for some, or all, of this run up Sentinel, which offers just enough of a challenge to make things interesting. Make this part of your routine.
Women's Group Run: From Kpat: Womens Group run tomorrow (Tuesday) 7:30am at Crazy Creek Trailhead. 6.5 mi 1200' gain. Katie Gibson will be taking the lead. Also: if you're not getting the emails about group runs and would like to, please contact us directly & we will get you on the list!