By Rick Gaston

The first weekend in June was the San Diego 100-Mile Ultra in San Diego’s Cuyamaca Mountains and what a race it turned out to be. The top three runners finished within 8 minutes of one another and Suzanna Bon set a new female CR.  For me personally it proved to be one of my best efforts at the 100-mile distance. The event was full at 130 participants and the weather was unseasonably cool for this time of the year. At the pre-race briefing we were warned not to go out too hard and fast. Many runners underestimate the course as it has only 12,300 ft. of total gain throughout the 100-miles. However, this year only 66% of the field finished and last year it was just 53%. My friend Andy Kumeda gave me a similar warning when I bugged him for some info and advice leading up to the race.

Well I didn’t need to be told a third time. I started my race conservatively and scaled from there. My friend Olga who knew the course provided me with splits for all the aid stations and I was gratified to see that I was staying ahead of her numbers despite the conservative pace. The cool weather must have helped. Halfway through I ditched the heart rate monitor and went with RPE (rate of perceived exertion). My heart was super but I definitely started to feel my legs after the first 50-miles.

At the start, photo courtesy of Jessica Fewless

The course was much more beautiful and fun to run than I had imagined. Hills were all around and even the dead trees from a fire years ago were a sight to behold. There was more green than brown which was great. Most of the trails were exposed and it would have been hot had normal summer weather temps been present.

The course is made up of one 19-mile and one 31-mile loop that we run twice to make 100. I didn’t mind the repetition, in fact it only helped my race since I knew what to expect for the second half. There is only one big climb on the course, it comes after mile 30 and again after mile 80. About 1050 ft. in 2.75 miles followed by a rocky 800 ft. descent for another 2.85 miles. I’ll admit that I was cocky and disrespectful the first time. We have lots of hills here in the San Francisco Bay Area and I feel at my strongest on the downhills. I wasn’t laughing the second time when I had to go back up in heavy fog and back down the wet, slippery, and rocky descent. It was hard to see through the fog even with strong lights. Besides the main climb everything on the course was quite runnable and mostly non-technical.

Coming through mile 50 at around 4:00pm, photo courtesy of Seth

Overall I had a great time. The finish was bittersweet because I missed the sub-20 hour mark by just 25 seconds. So close yet so far. The wheels came loose the last 7 miles. However I was pleased to have executed a fairly strong race, certainly my best so far and my time of 20:00:25 is a new 100-mile PR. I was 55 minutes below Olga’s splits which was another goal to celebrate. My friend Jessica Fewless crewed for me and proved invaluable. Jessica helped me with everything I needed and more, and could cheer like no ones business.

Two thumbs up on this great event. Race Director Scott Mills and his volunteers do an amazing job. These guys give 110% for their runners. Aid stations were well staffed and stocked. Emergency staff was also on hand, a reassuring presence. This is an event to experience. Thank you San Diego 100.

At the finish with RD Scott Mills, photo courtesy of Jessica Fewless

For my detailed race report including additional pictures and videos you can visit my site Here

The San Diego 100-Mile Race Website and full results can be found Here

RD Scott Mills race report can be found Here

Jessica Fewless’ reports from the race can be found Here

Chris Marolf’s photos of the SD100 can be found Here

Top Results:

1. Ben Hian (18:15.45)

2. Tom Nielson (18:21.35)

3. Brian Krogmann (18:23.27)

4. Suzanna Bon (19:32.19) *First Female

5. Jonas Hansen (19:46.48)

6. Rick Gaston (20:00.25)

7. Jane Larkindale (21:04.57) *2nd Female

8. Angela Shartel (21:17.55) *3rd Female

9. Charles Wickersham (21:25.30)

10. Todd Hiskey (21:26.32)

-Rick Gaston

Rick Gaston is a trail and ultra runner from the San Francisco Bay Area.  You can follow his running adventures at http://365ultra.blogspot.com/