Pacing at Angeles Crest 100

After my buddy Ryan bowed out of Cascade Crest 100 where I was slated to pace, I directed my focus to finding someone to pace at the more local Angeles Crest 100 taking place on the same weekend. That someone turned out to be veteran ultrarunner Mark Tanaka.



I initially wanted to get a night run in prep for an upcoming race but once that was ruled out and my knee started bitching, I went from planning on pacing him from mile 75 to the finish, to miles 52-59. Lori would take over from there and pace from 59-75.

Since a few friends were also planning on fulfilling pacing duties and because I wanted to cheer on some of the other runners on the course, we decided to meet at the finish and carpool together to mile 52. Colin and Kristin took turns pacing our buddy Josh Spector from mile 52-75 and Evan did the last 48 miles (!) with Dean Dobberteen. All in all, it was a great time with all of our respective runners placing top 10 and coming in under 24 hours. Special shout out to Josh in particular who was running his 1st 100 and still came in 8th overall at a little over 23 hours. Wow.

Anyway, although I ended up walking away severely sleep deprived, I had a great weekend and a great time on the trails with some good friends while making new ones along the way. Some pics from the weekend:


Lori, Evan, Me, Kristin, Colin before pacing duties.


Sharing some yuks while waiting at Chilao (mile 52).


Evan heading out with his runner Dean.


Josh coming through Chilao with crew/entourage on hand.


Josh heading out for the next stretch with Kristin.


Mark coming into Chilao.


With Dr. Tanaka at the handoff at mile 59.


Lori and Mark heading out.


Taking a taco(s) break w/ Kristin while driving over to Chantry Flats.


Evan and Dean coming through Chantry Flats (mile 75).


Josh (and Colin) getting some just due applause at Chantry.


Killing some time with Colin on the trails in the wee morning hours.


Not a whole lotta sleeping was done here.


Josh with pacer Jimmy Dean on the final stretch.


Done in an incredible 23:14:11!


Mark cranking it on the final stretch.


Mark's finish in just under 24 hours!


Mark...


...and Keira.

Congrats again to everyone that participated and in particular to those that absolutely rocked it!