As the racing and travel season is starting to slow down, so will our update posts. We’ll obviously still have lots of great stories, race reports and adventures to share, but not necessarily every week throughout the winter. With that, let’s check out what the Dirtbag Ambassadors and Teams have been up to lately!
Sounds like Ambassador Kyle Konczal had a well traveled summer! His last bit of racing came at the last US Skyrunning race in Flagstaff:
“Over the past couple of months I have spent my weekends in the back of my Toyota Tacoma, traveling to races and mountain adventures. This past weekend concluded my racing season at the Flagstaff Sky Race 55k, so I figure why not make the most of my trip!
I started my drive to Flagstaff with a stop in Moab, UT. I spent the night on the banks of the Colorado River off of Highway 128 followed by a morning run above the Colorado River on the Jackson’s, Rockstacker and Pot Hole Arch trails.
After leaving Moab that afternoon I obviously had to make a detour to the Grand Canyon. I have never been, so a quick stop at the South Rim was a must! I now know the next time I am here it will be to run Rim2Rim2Rim!
When I finally made it to Flagstaff found a couple free camp spots off of Shultz Pass and near the Arizona Snowbowl. My race did not go quite as planned. My IT band tightened, then my back.. and it was down hill from there. I sadly dropped at mile 26, after suffering for 16 miles which resulted in my first DNF. But I know it was the right decision for the longevity of my running. The best highlight of the weekend was spending time with my buddy Morgan who walked away with the win and the overall US Sky Running Ultra championship!
1,700 miles of driving and one fantastic adventure to Flagstaff! Met some really great people along the way showing just how amazing people are in the trail and running community! If you have not checked out a race put on my Aravaipa Running, add it to your list! Jamil and his team do a fantastic job organizing their races that making a running adventure well worth it!”
One of our Dirtbags from Arkansas, Tracey Heath, made a trip with family over to Galway, Ireland for a little run-cation. While there, they took on the Galway Bay Half-marathon! Very cool!
One of the big events from the Natural State is the Arkansas Traveller 100 Miler. Ambassador Cassie Brown and fellow Dirtbag Lisa Mobley were on hand to run parts of the course as pacers! Additionally, Justin Cook sought redemption at his second 100 mile attempt and rocked a 29:43 for his first finish! Awesome job Justin!
It was an all around great weekend for my fellow Dirtbags of Boise as several team members ran the local Foothills 50k Frenzy! This is no easy course boasting roughly 6,000′ of vertical gain with a large chunk coming within the first 11 miles.
Fresh off of a solid top 20 finish at The Rut 50k, Danielle Marquette turned it up a notch (and was apparently smiling the entire way) and took home first overall female and 3rd overall! Three more Dirtbags took 5-7th places for an outstanding weekend! Garrick Arends and fiancée Rachael Powell finished together (smart move by Garrick coming in a second behind!) and Brady Vandegrift a few minutes later. Congrats Dirtbags, way to represent!
*If interested, check out Garrick’s Race Report on Facebook.
Another Boise Dirtbag, Bob Pollmann, ran the St. George Marathon this weekend. Not too shabby of a result for a 53 year old: 2:53:52! Way to crank out a sub-3 Bob!
Turned out to be an extra badass weekend for Bob as his 19 year old son Tayte Pollmann took 2nd overall at the Flagstaff Sky Race 39k, just getting out sprinted by World Mountain Running champ Joe Gray!
Ambassador Erik Buzzard hosted an Oktoberfest Trail Run in Amarillo, Texas over the weekend “pounding dirt, beers, brats & struedel”! Sounds like a great time & the costumes looked amazing!
Enjoy your weekend Dirtbags, hopefully it includes a few miles of trail and a couple of beers!