Hellgate 100k

At the end of the race someone asked me why I’ve continued to return to run Hellgate (this was my 6th), because they thought the event had been so hard. Well strangely the fact that it isn’t easy (as no ultras are), is one of the reasons. Then there is the atmosphere created by the race director and other competitors, the start time (12:01 am) and lastly unpredictable factors caused by the weather (OK, so maybe I’m also slightly nuts as well!). The 2008 Hellgate has been and gone, it feels like it all happened within a blink of an eye, but in reality it took 13 hours 33 minutes and the experience was as unique as all the others have been.

Last year I didn’t have as good a race as previous years, adding to this a disappointment of not finishing Leadville earlier this year and a feeling of struggling during some of my other races. I drove to VA with a few gremlins to resolve. Added to that, what has become an annual pilgrimage for Spuds and I was also going to be a first time 100k for El Torro. He ran a great race at the Stone Cat 50 Miler last month and I sensed that if I was able to run in front of him I was going to feel his hot breath not far behind! On this point, Ultra hadn’t been helping in the days before our departure as he independently advised ET and I that the other was planning to kick butt! It is times like that when you do wonder what friends are for! 🙂

The journey down has a few traditions that have formed over the years. A Thursday evening departure, overnight stop around Hamburg, PA. Breakfast followed by a walk around the cavernous Cabella’s store at Hamburg and then a long drive to Camp Bethel where the race briefing takes place. Everything went to ‘plan’ and we arrived in good spirits, ready for action.

The race brief provided no surprises. Some of the aid stations would be out of bounds to aid crews because of road closures, some of the route markings might have been vandalised (a pile of tape had been found dumped at a trail head earlier that day) and some of the aid stations might not be in the published locations. Welcome to Hellgate! We digested the news, Chipper and Guthrie plotted their car route and we three runners laid down to rest. The ride to the start, normally a mad dash convoy through the Virginia night was much more civilized this year, maybe the bright full moon was a calming influence. The temperature at the start was chilly, but not as cold as it has been in previous years and without too much ceremony we headed off into the night.

El Torro and I started at the front of the pack, I hinted that the early pace might be quick and warned him not to be tempted to follow, we would see some of those early leaders later on and they wouldn’t be smiling! The first stage is mostly single track with a river crossing near the end. As we approached the bank two runners ahead of us hesitated at the water’s edge. I ploughed pasted them quickly into the chilly water and heard someone say; “That’s one way to do it”. From the aid station there is then a long dirt road that meanders up a long switchback climb to the next check point. From here the girls cheered us forward and we descended onto a rocky single trail. The ET Express kicked in and in a flash I lost sight of ET as he powered down the slope. I wondered if that was going to be the last time I saw him before the finish. The thought made my legs feel heavy but I kept to my pace……maybe, just maybe.

From the single trail we dropped on to a wider dirt road that climbed once more. I saw the shadow of a runner ahead in the gloom, ‘ET I thought’ and lifted my pace in chase. I reached the runner – no ET but wait, more shadows ahead! In fact not one but two. I overhauled them but still no ET. I started to wonder if he had got lost earlier and was in fact behind me, then more movement ahead captured my attention and I could now make out the hydration pack he was wearing. Before the race I had shared a few night running tips. Take advantage of the moon light and where possible run without a light to make your presence less noticeable. Sight of a light ahead can be a target to push towards, while one behind can be impetuous to push harder. I noted that ET was using this tactic – the little bar steward! Up the hill we went, I watched and noted each time he ran and kept pace, if he walked I’d keep running as long as possible to reduce the distance between us. By the time we reached the next aid station I was back on his shoulder – much to his surprise!

After that we kept pace until we were caught by a runner in a bright yellow wind breaker. The ET Express left the station once more and I felt I was still on the platform waiting for the next train to arrive! Added to this I was in need to take a side trail (I needed to poop), I was reluctant to drop back further but the forces of nature were working against me and I was forced to allow the need to pass. After wards I continued thinking once again that the remainder of the race would be a solo effort, but on arriving at the next stop there was ET.

We stayed together for the remainder of the race. I can’t speak for him but at times I was grateful to fall in behind and use his pace to drag me along. We negotiated the rocks, most of which were nicely concealed beneath a deep covering of leaves. We slowly found ourselves passing some of the early leaders and by the penultimate stage were in 7 – 8th position. The next section is one of the toughest, the gradients aren’t particularly big, but the distance feels much, much longer than it is claimed to be and arriving at the final aid station is a sight to behold. We now had just 6 miles to go – 3 up and 3 down. After a quick snack we headed out with a top ten finish looking likely.

Part way up the climb we were overhauled by a fellow ex-pat Brit who was powering his way up the slope. After that we each made the odd nervous glance back to make sure no-one else threatened to do the same. Around this time I told ET that I was happy to run in together unless his competitive instinct wanted to duke it out to the line. To my relief (but don’t tell him that), he admitted he was pooped too and a joint finish was not a problem. We crested the hill and started running the last three miles to the finish. A mile from the end, we found Guthrie running out to meet us. She done this before on other stages and it was good to see a smiling face. With about a quarter mile to go, she glanced back and saw our friend in the yellow jacket running after us. ET and I shared a simultaneous “oh shit” moment and picked up the pace. Had our tormentor caught us, the prospect of a joint finish would have been out the window with every man for himself, but it seemed that our pick up was enough to put him off and we were able to ease off the gas to cross the line sharing 8th place overall.

The final results showed that we each won our age groups! Running with someone else for the entire distance of an ultra was a first for me and I enjoyed the experience. It certainly helped to keep the pace going as there are times on this course when mental strength is almost more important that physical energy. So thanks for the ride ET, I’m not so sure you’ll allow me to ride your heels another time!

After warm showers and food we waited for Spuds and this year managed to stay awake to greet him outside as he ran the last few yards to the line. He told Dave Horton he felt as fresh as a daisy. These flowers aren’t noted for their aroma, so I guess it might have been an accurate statement!

As always, thank you to the girls for their unselfish crewing. Gentlemen, congratulations to both of you on your finishes. ET watch your back, I’m not done yet! 🙂