Comments on: Stump Jump 50K Race Report

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:35:44 +0000

Christian… really enjoyed (and surely will benefit) from reading this account. I’m headed out for my first Ultra at Stump Jump 09 this weekend. Someone sent me your race report as terrain prep. But reading through lots of other posts – especially the Cascade Crest 100 and Sawtooth 100 posts – made me realize that not only are Ultras insanely difficult, they are my next true love. Being a runner for many years and reading your accounts – physical and emotional experiences – brought me to tears a few times. It’s not about the destination, it’s the journey. Thanks for reminding me of that.

See you this weekend in TN. I’ll be the slow one wearing running shoes. The one questioning, but never ever doubting, my motives.

Cheers…

By: Dirk

Dirk — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:10:13 +0000

I hear good things about this race every year, thanks for the great post. this is on my list to do one year.

By: Mark McKnight

Mark McKnight — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:00:59 +0000

Thanks for the race report Christian!

I wanted to respond to Robin’s comments about the aid station running out of water in the 2007 race. We made a decision on the ground that day to continue with the race despite record high temperatures that forced the Chicago Marathon to close mid-race. We did this because we felt that we had enough supplies to keep us going throughout the race.

We enforced time cutoffs for safety and closely watched the runners’ condition throughout the day. Our only other alternative would have been to cancel the entire race, leaving over 300 people disappointed.
We used over four times the amount of water we used in the previous year at the Indian Rock House aid station. I assure you no event can plan for a 4x increase in water use.

I realize that we disappointed a few runners- we estimate about 10 people came through that station while we were out of water. When it looked like we might run out of water, we encouraged people to wait until the next aid station a couple miles later (because their location was not nearly as remote). We sent a volunteer down to the nearest store for water, and that water came as quickly as possible, but given the remote location took over an hour to show up.

We now know that we have to limit runners’ water use at that particular aid station to drinking only. Many people were using the water to cool off. The water at that aid station all has to be backpacked in because of the remote location, and it’s simply not possible to get enough water down there for everyone to pour a cup over their head. This year we brought far more water than we used, and we also provided water rags to help people cool off without using the potable water.

I read your race report and I’m sorry you ended up having to be pulled off the course. I hope you’ll try the race again as it only gets better every year.

By: Rahn

Rahn — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:16:53 +0000

Sounds like a good run. I haven’t been on a boulder field for years, and for some strange reason, haven’t missed them.

I considered doing this with some friends, but decided on Pumpkin Butt this weekend instead. I guess we’ll see if I made the right choice.

By: jonmoss

jonmoss — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:33:11 +0000

Thanks for the post race update. iMULTISPORT was out there too with cameras rolling and post-production of a video is underway.

Till then, amuse yourself with other race videos taken on parts of the Stump Jump course. http://imultisport.com/events.html

By: Christian

Christian — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:14:16 +0000

Robin & Rick:

Yea, in my head, I’ve canceled everything up to ATY. I say “in my head” because I am well-known for changing my mind and acting spontaneous, but I really hope I can take some time to rest and recover.

FATS 40, MMTR, Pine Mountain — all on hold.

By: Rick Spencer

Rick Spencer — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:59:02 +0000

I saw your name on the email list for the FATS 40 Miler this weekend. Sounds like you need a rest though.

I’ll be running that on Sunday after running the New River Trail 50K Saturday. Eeek.

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:59:30 +0000

Did this race last year. I agree that this is a top notch event with some of the best swag around BUT I am sad to say that last year they ran OUT OF WATER at two very important stations which then caused me and others to go into “shut down mode” and our race ended at the marathon point.

Never once did the director acknowledge the mistake of this happening and after several emails we wrote this race off of the books for this year.

You are right that it is not a course to PR on but one of the most beautiful courses nonetheless. And that rock garden…. that was a challenge.

Now rest for MMTR!!!! You are crazy insane! See you there:)