Men's Leaders at the Start
The day dawned clear and cool in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia. Assembled was an all-star cast of ultra-runners gunning for some prize money in the first edition of the Ultra Race of Champions 100k.
Ian Sharman
Ian Sharman ran steadily and politely the entire distance, always quick to thank spectators for their words of encouragement.
Jason and Alison Bryant
Jason Bryant receives council from his wife Alison. He left the Sherando aid station to get away from the people and come to terms with DNF'ing. "I was just so mentally invested in the competition, it was hard to let go."
Dave Mackey in the Fog
Dave Mackey lead the way for the first half of the race, as the fog rolled in on the top of Shenandoah Mountain, mile 25. Still closely followed by 2:18 marathoner Scott Gall here, he eventually dropped out with an injury.
Other Lookers-On
The fog wasn't the only thing to roll in on the ridge. This attentive spectator, a bear dog, showed up (in its owner's truck) to watch the runners come through aid station #4 before heading out for his own race in the woods.
Dave James Drops Out
Dave James emerges from the mist, rips off his number, throws it in the trash. Known for his many DNFs and quick to make light of his injured foot he quipped, "This is my first DNF... this month!"
Running Brave/Running Scared
Devon Crosby-Helms looks over her shoulder--she led from the start but was never confident of her position.
The Chaser
Ragan Petrie slowly but surely eats into Crosby-Helms' lead. Petrie would ultimately take the lead 35 miles in and never look back.
Running the Blue Ridge Parkway
Anne Riddle-Lundblad, the veteran, runs off into the fog on the Blue Ridge Parkway, en route to a 3rd place finish.
The Professor Abides
"This course has something to hurt everyone," was the pre-race advice of Eric Grossman, another veteran ultrarunner. Plenty of road, lots of technical down- and uphills, fog, darkness, confusing turns ...
Working Up the Field
"I feel like I remember how to run again." After struggling in big races this summer and almost skipping this race entirely, Geoff Roes found his stride on the trails 33 miles in and moved into second place.
The Ultra Way
Matt Flaherty, in his first 100K, is still plugging away with the keys to success in ultras: patience, stubborness, and a sandwich and a gel in each hand.
Just Another Race for the Ol' Legs
Wardian keeps the tunes pumping as he readies for the last foray onto the trails. He looked unbeatable. Two miles later he took a wrong turn and added 4 miles plus a big climb to his race. He fought back to take 2nd place.
Winning in the Fog
Geoff Roes wins the inaugural UROC 100k. "This was one of the strangest wins I've ever had. There were so many high and low points."
Coming to Terms
Mike Wardian, 2nd place, pictured with his unanticipated crew member, Jason Bryant. Bryant who dropped around mile 20, was the first to realize that Wardian had gone off course. He and Dave James sprinted on injured legs to resupply Wardian once he was back on track.
2nd Place, 2nd Winner
"HA! I didn't give up!" Crosby-Helms finishes in 2nd place. Bryon Powell tweets it so.