Gore-Tex TransRockies 2012 Wrap Up

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In its 6th year of operations, the Gore-Tex TransRockies continues to amaze its participants and thousands of people watching and cheering the runners on.  While ultra marathons have begun to enter into the lime light, most runners aren’t ready to dedicate a year of training with the likelihood of not finishing.  On the other hand, you have the Gore-Tex Trans Rockies which is a 6 day stage race averaging 20 miles a day in the magnificent Colorado Rockies which is a little more manageable yet still challenging.

This is my 3rd year of participation in the Gore-Tex Trans Rockies and while the 3rd time around there is less to surprise me, the race still gives me warm fuzzies.  For starters, with the race setting taking place in the Colorado Rockies, all runners have to take on the challenge of running at high altitude.  With runners coming from all over the world, you get some people that live at high altitude and are used to the thinner air, but most runners are from lower altitudes and have to acclimate as fast as they can.  Another challenge runners race is running long distance multiple days in a row.  Most people will run one or two long runs in a week, but 3 or 6 days straight of long runs can take its toll on the mind and body.

Photo by Chris Hunter

With an option of running either 3 days without a partner or 6 days running with a partner, the TransRockies has opened the doors of appealing to a wider audience.  The TransRockies Run 3 sold out this year as the distance is more attainable for most and you don’t have the challenge of finding a partner as crazy as you and can run the same pace as you for 6 days.

Organizing a race such as the Gore-Tex TransRockies is not an easy task.  There are hundreds of behind the scenes task that must be taken care of that take months of preparation.  The trail marking by the TransRockies crew is impeccable.  They really do an amazing job keeping you on the course. To help you mentally and physically prepare for each stage the following day, the people setting the course give you a Google Earth fly-over each evening letting you know what you can expect on the run the night before the run.  To keep you well feed and energized, all meals are catered by the Gourmet Cowboy and are very tasty.  Think of catering for a wedding 6 days in a row, not an easy task!  Like I said, there are hundreds of logistics to coordinate for a race of this scale and the organizers do an amazing job.  If you want more details, be sure to check out TransRockies-Run.com.

Photo by Chris Hunter

Running the Gore-Tex Trans Rockies is a huge challenge for most, but winning your category takes more than your typical marathon training.  The runners winning the Gore-Tex TransRockies are in amazing shape and these runners work their off to get into this shape.  I have a great deal of respect for these runners as I have trained a decent amount in years past for the run and I came nowhere near the top 3.  The overall winners for the male category in 2012 are Mike Smith and Rob Krar from Team Flagstaff.  This is the 2nd year in a row Team Flagstaff has won. On the women’s side, Pam Smith and Jenny Capel from Team Ohh La La Sportiva won their first TransRockies Title.  For the mixed team, Stephanie Howe and Zach Violette from Team The North Face Benditites.

If you are even the slightest bit interested in the Gore-Tex TransRockies, I highly suggest you take a look at their website.  The race has quickly become a bucket list item for many runners, will it make yours? The TransRockies is starting to take entries for 2013 and like most races, there is a discount for signing up early.  August 26th is the first cut-off date for discounts.  For more information on registering, visit Transrockies-run.com/registration