Old Pueblo Results and Photos

Below are some photos of Adrian's 50-mile Old Pueblo run. Runners gathered long before the sun rose at Kentucky Camp, a historic mining site near Sonoita, Ariz. The Old Pueblo 50 course takes runners along dirt roads and trails, including the Arizona Trail, a national scenic trail that starts at the Mexican border and ends at the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Here's how it ended. Check out the photos below to see how the rest of the day went. Or Click here for results.

Adrian scored this number on the last quarter mile of the race.

Adrian prepares for the race.

Runners start lining up.

Adrian reacts to the flash of the camera at 5 a.m.

Runners: On your mark.

Get set.

Go!

Adrian's off.

Whetstone mountains in the distance as the sun rises.

Adrian keeps moving.

Coming into mile 25. Now off to tackle Box Canyon.

Straight up.

Box Canyon is a killer. Lots of runners walk it.

Coming into mile 29, Box Canyon done.

Last stretch from Box Canyon.

Off to mile 33.

Coming out of Gardner's Canyon and into mile 40 aid station.

Mount Wrightson

Last segment

Approaching the finish line.

Crossing the finish line - under 10 hours.

One of the rewards for finishing.

Old Pueblo 50 Mile Endurance Run - Second half

It gets lonely out on the trail sometimes. Truth be told, there are runners a few minutes behind and in front of me. Mile 27 here and feeling good. This is entering into Box Canyon, a very pretty drive and a nice uphill for 4 miles.


This is aid station 29 and the next time I see Kirsten it will be at mile 40! She scored me an ice cold berry smoothie that really hits the spot. At this point I'm feeling pretty strong and reeling people slowly. My slower pace at the beginning is paying off now. A few runners tried to run up Box Canyon and that proved to be pretty taxing. Unless you are very strong, running up Box Canyon will take its toll later on for sure.


Coming into mile 40 aid station! Only 10 to go. This is Gene and I. We both run in the Tucson Trail Runs group on Sundays. Smiles are good at mile 40!!!

A few advil, lots of electrolytes and 46 miles from the start. Coming into the 46 mile aid station, the last of the race. Turns out mile 40 to 46 was one of the hardest sections with a big climb and a big descent. I passed a runner who had fell earlier and had a really bloody knee and a bad limp. I thought she wouldn't finish but she crossed the finish line only about 30 minuntes after me. Wow! Ross Zimmerman is here taking pictures. He's the director of Tucson Trail Runs and a really nice guy. Kirsten is here, of course. She was crucial for my success in getting this far and although I'm very emotional at this point, I manage not to shed a tear. From here out its a long 4 miles to the finish.


Here are some shananigans! Paul and I race to the finish at 10 hours and 31 minutes. The race director later told us we provided the only photo finish of the race! Too funny.


The best part of having a crew is the beer aftewards! Thanks Kirsten!
A good time was had by all.
Here are the results:
http://www.oldpueblo50.com/Results_files/op50results09.htm

Old Pueblo 50 Mile Endurance Run

I finally lived the dream that had consumed my mind, on and off, for the last 3 years; running a true ultra-marathon. The Old Pueblo 50 Mile Endurance Run is a classic desert southwest event. The race was put on my Lynda and was executed in grand style. Thanks to all the volunteers that made it possible....that includes you too Tom! The race went very well. I let everyone get out in front of me, and settled on the pace that I thought would carry me through. I walked most of the hills and ran much of the rest.


The runners line up with all sorts of thoughts running through their heads. All the training miles are in the banks and earning interest.


Here I say good-bye to Kirsten, my faithful crewer, and look forward to seeing her a mere 7 miles down the trail at aid station #2.


I have head lamp for the early morning darkness but it soon becomes dead weight as the sun rises over the distant Dragoon Mountains, home of Cochise's Stronghold.


This is aid station #2 at mile 7. Kirsten's here ready with a new shirt, sunscreen, snacks and other stuff I might need for the next long section of 18 miles. I'm nervous leaving this station because the next time I see Kirsten this race will be half way over and I may or may not be in such good shape by then.