Speed Goat 50k
The Speed Goat 50k
The Speed Goat 50k held this weekend out in Utah might easily take the prize for the hardest 50k in the world. 11,600 feet of elevation gain in just 32 miles! Three words; Steep. Steep. Steep. This year might be the deepest mens field ever assembled for a state side Ultra (and in the running globally). Any time Salomon’s Killian Jonet from Spain lines up at the starting gate he’ll be the favorite and the one to chase, as he’s rarely beaten on a mountain course (or any other course).
The big news though is that one of the most recognizable faces in mountain running will be making his return after over a year off recovering from injuries. New Balance’s Tony Krupicka (we’ve got his weapons of choice, the NB 101’s on the wall in Homewood!) says he’s in the best shape of his life and one look over at his blog will tell you he’s been putting in a brutally steep training regime in mountains of Colorado getting ready for just this race.TK & Killian, that’s the race for first.
But that’s just the start as the field is stacked with huge names in the trail running world. Speed Goat former champion Nick Clark of Pearl Izumi, Max King, Dylan Bowman, and on and on and on. and on… and on…. Really, any of the top guys in the mens field are capable of having the kind of day to win this race.
The woman’s field this year isn’t as thick with top talent as the mens but all eyes will be on Salomon’s Anna Frost of New Zealand who is sure to reign supreme as she’s been on TK’s mountain training plan as of late, but this is only her 2 true mountain ultra, so one of the many strong ladies like Meghan Arbogast (at 50+ years), or up in coming talent Tina Lewis (2011 San Juan Solstice 50 winner) could easily keep it steady up the mountains and take the win away from the blonde bomber.
Once again, iRunFar.com will be bringing you the play by play Saturday morning and here’s their pre-game write up plus a fun video of race director and all around 100 mile superman Karl Metlzer’s race predictions (notice Karl’s sporting a Pinhoti 100 race shirt (Alabama’s finest 100 mile run!)
Speed Goat 50k Preview from iRunFar Here
Alabama Outdoors is excited to help spread the word of such great dirt running events out west as we get geared up for our own local Alabama trail running season to start soon!
We get things kicked off out at Red Mountain Park in Birmingham August 14th with our group trail runs once again. Be on the look out for several trail running clinics, gear demos, and races we’ll be hosting this late summer and fall. Stop by any of our locations and see the newest offerings in outdoor gear for trail runners, backpackers, to outdoor clothing styles.
