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Welcome to my blog which I hope to develop with some interesting material on ultra running both on the trails and road including reports on races and interesting training runs, views on kit and equipment as well as anything else I find of interest. I love running for adventure, opportunity and well being. Enjoy!

Sunday 28 June 2009

Western States - Results

Well, it was the epic of all epics. I moved through the field and felt very confident of a podium finish when I met my pacer, Scott, at Forest Hill (62 miles). Then we dropped down to the river, and the temperature soared. Scott tells me it was well in the 100s. I managed to hold it together until the river crossing (78miles), but the wheels were starting to wobble big time, I lost a couple of places and fell back to 7th. 80 to 88miles was pretty hellish; the setting sun was pounding the side of the final canyon we were traversing. But as soon as it went down, I got my head down and ran some quick miles. At Highway 49 I was in 5th, not many miles left to reel in the remaining guys who I knew were fairly close in front. I smoked it to No Hands Bridge, still no sign of them. There Scott re-joined me after sorting his blisters and we put our heads down and ran more quick miles. I got into 4th at about mile 98, then hit the podium slot of 3rd in the last mile. It was emtional stuff. I finished in 16h 54 (I think), 3rd place. The finish into the stadium was simply awesome.

There were many high profile drop-outs, probably due to the intensity of the racing and the heat. I amd pleased beyond words with my 3rd place - and with a Japanese runner taking 2nd - for the first time ever there are two foreigners in the top 3. Great stuff.

Thanks to everyone for the support from back home, I was thinking about everyone tracking me online and it was a great motivation aid!

Full report soon!

Jez :0)

34 comments:

Subversive Runner said...

Brilliant, brilliant stuff, Jez. I'm speechless. Well done.

Mark Collinson said...

Many, many congratulations!!! Awesome performance!!! I tracked your run throughout , very impressive pacing!!! Its very inspirational to see a UK runner with a podium finish!!! Cheers, Colly!!!

Davie said...

Brilliant run, Jez. Many congratulations.

John Kynaston said...

Congratulations Jez.

We had a post whw bbq at Ian & Alison's and we were following your progress thoughtout.

It was the first topic of conversation when we got up this morning and we were all really pleased for yu finishing 3rd.

John Kynaston

ianbeattie1 said...

yes, very well done Jez - sounded like a fantastic performance. Ian

Tim said...

Just fantastic Jez. So pleased for you that it came together this year.

Keith Hughes said...

Jez - an awesome and inspirational performance.. The bushfires may have kept you out last year, but as you say it was this year you were smokin !! Congratulations, we are all so proud of what you have achieved.. - Cheers Keith

Ciemon said...

Outstanding result Jez, well done flying the flag.

Unknown said...

Great job Jez !!!

You looked ecstatic!


See the finish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJwZxy4Dqeg&



Mike

Thomas said...

Epic!

The other guys at the front of WS aren't exactly bad runners, and to give the the runaround like you did is amazing beyond belief.

Congratulations!

oneproudsis said...

Mum and I just watched your finish on youtube Jezza, you are such a star!
I personally thought people were very brave to want to hug you after running that far, rather them than me!!!
xxx

E said...

Well ran! Tracked you through the course and was a wee bit anxious with the wobbles, but you pulled it together mightily! Brilliantly done! From Oregon, via Belfast, cheers! Eilís

Elin Jones said...

Well done.Fantastic result.Kept informed by your aunty Suzie Jones.

Unknown said...

Quick report and photo from the
Auburn journal:

http://auburnjournal.com/detail/117923.html

Another pic:

http://twitpic.com/8ni83

Vicky said...

Congratulations Jez! A truely fantastic performance.

Kathy said...

What a great story! Congrats on the 3rd place finish. Epic indeed!

Karen said...

Hi Jez
Well done - brilliant run - glad your wheels mended and you ran through the heat near the river.
Cheers
Karen

The Sunday Adventure Club said...

well done Jez, amazing run!
Richie

yvan said...

From France : un grand bravo !!

Unknown said...

I just want to congratulate you on an outstanding run. I followed the action on the WS100 website and was really pleased to see you doing so well. Your reaction going over the finish line said everything. I havn't seen anyone so pumped up about finishing a race in ages.

Inspirational stuff. Awesome run. Well done.

Johnny Hall said...

Brilliant. Top class.

The egans... said...

Congratulations. Watched the whole thing online. An amazing run. It has given me the inspiration i needed to think that I will finish my Osmotherley run.

David, Laura, Anwen, Ceri Egan.

Nick said...

What a phenomenal performance Jez. I was elated for you when I saw your result listed on the TV monitor early Sunday morning at the finish (when the medics had finally finished with me). Herman and Ann send their hearty congratulations. Ann followed the race avidly.

I look forward to seeing the pictures and YouTube footage when I get home.

Nick.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic. I am speechless. Well, nearly. A truly great performance. You must be very pleased with the way you dealt with the bad patches and realised that there was still time to claw it back. Well done fella.

Julien said...

Amazing, what a pace! Well done Jez!

HFP Consultants said...

Jez, I didn't think you could genuinely get excited following an Ultra on the net, but your performance blew that myth away, in style. Watching you cross the line was so inspirational, you looked great. Stunning performance, can't wait to hear about it all.
Massive congratulations.

Jasper Halekas said...

Congratulations Jez. You passed me at Robie like I was standing still. What a race. Way to serve notice to the world.

-Jasper

Ultra Disco Stu said...

I'm absolutely blown away by that Jez!! I'm new to ultra running...didn't think it was possible to run WS100 that fast!! Dean who!???? seriously man that is a super-human effort!! Very inspirational and great to see a Brit go out there and mix it up.

Sarah Ridgway said...

brilliant run, Jez. Guts and Glory!

brendaontheRun said...

Congratulations! You did a great job out there.

Ian Sharman said...

Great run, Jez. Certainly looks like an amazing race and you nailed it.

Dave - Atlanta Trails said...

very, very impressive stuff, Jez! Way to represent the other side of the pond!

Meghan said...

Hey, I found your blog!

Congrats again! You gotta be just sooooooooo happy!

Recover well!
Meghan

Börkur said...

Congrats Jez!

Was up in the mountains running but had asked Mike to send me SMS update of your progress and it was really exciting to get the constant news of you moving up through the field.

Cheers!