Pony Express Trail 50 and 100 Mile Endurance Run
October 15-16, 2010, 8:00 a.m.
Here’s your chance to run in the wild west on the historic Pony Express Trail in western Utah. This is a 100 mile and 50 mile run. The course is VERY remote and a support crew is required to provide support along the way. The course is 100% dirt road and only has about 3,000 feet elevation gain/loss.
Course
The 2010 course for both races will start at Lookout Pass west of Faust, UT. The 100-mile race will go out 58.5 miles to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge and then head back, finishing at Simpson Springs.
Wild horses
The 50-mile course heads the same direction but finishes at Blackrock Pony Express station site. The course is VERY remote, but the roads are good if you don’t drive too fast. Crews are required! You must have a crew or share a crew with another runner. Usage of a map will be required, but the course is easy to follow. In general it is: “head west.” There are signs that point the way for the Pony Express Trail at major intersections.
For the 50-mile race. A crew is still required.
For more information see: detailed course description. Take a visual tour of the course.
Register
Registration is now open! $65 for the 100-mile and $35 for the 50-miler. Talk about a bargain! Fee will go up July 1. Click here to register.
Start Time
2009 Start
To reduce the congession of crew cars, we will have a staggered start. The start times will likely be 8:00 a.m. for the 100-milers and 9:00 a.m. for the 50-milers. There will also be an early start option for each race, two hours before, at 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Early starts are encouraged for 100-milers who may finish over 27 hours and 50 milers who may finish over 12 hours. One benefit of an early start is a greater likelihood of seeing wildlife in the early morning. This year, there will be a 30-hour cutoff for 100-mile finishers. (The course is even easier this year so that should be very doable. It is probably about six hours easier than Wasatch 100. The 50 is about two hours easier than Squaw Peak 50).
Crews
What really makes this race different from others, is the ability to involve crews. Your family and friends can watch you and help you for the entire race. They are welcome to drive along and give aid along the way.
Crews, please make sure you have a good jack, wrench, and spare tire. There are no gas stations directly along the course, so start with a full take before you leave civilization. There are gas stations at these points. Cedar Fort (30 miles before the start), Vernon (10 miles southeast of start). You can drive the course with a regular car taking care in a few spots with pot holes. Using a high clearance vehicle will be easier to get around. Please also take it easy driving between Government Creek and Simpson Springs. The crushed rock road can have small sharp rocks on it. I’ve gotten two flat tires along that stretch. Be mindful of kicking up dust with your vehicle around the runners.
Water: Bring plenty for you and your runner. Don’t count on finding any along the course except at Fish Springs Headquarters.
Cell Coverage
Don’t count on any on cell coverage on the course. We will have Satellite phones on the course. There is a pay phone at Fish Springs.
Pacers
Anyone is welcome to join in at any portion of the course. Jump out of a crew vehicle and join in the fun.
Aid Stations
We will have an aid station at both the 50-mile and 100-mile finishes with hot food to help you recover.
Awards
This year we will have finisher awards, including belt buckles for 100-mile finishers.
Why the Friday Start?
This race is scheduled on a day when the kids in Utah don’t have school. This makes it much more practical for families to participate in the crewing experience which is a major feature of this race. Wasatch 100 and Bear 100 also have Friday starts, making it easier in Utah to attract volunteers and runners who make Sundays a day of rest.
On-line Results
This year we plan on having near-realtime On-line progress and results.
Lodging
The closest lodging to the start is either in Tooele or Lehi, Utah, 50-60 miles from the start.
Weather
Weather is typically ideal for running. Highs in the 60s, lows in the 30s. We have yet to have any rain or snow during this event. Every year we have had clear skies at night.
Questions
Contact the race director, Davy Crockett at ultracrockett@gmail.com
