Within the interval between September, 2009 and September, 2010, I imagine that 34-year-old Alaskan ultrarunner Geoff Roes had the only best 12 months of any male athlete ever in path ultrarunning.
After back-to-back wins and course information on the Wasatch Entrance 100 Mile and the Bear 100 Mile in September that 12 months, Roes scorched the course file on the Mountain Masochist 50 Mile in a mind-blowing time of 6:27. A month later he completed second on the extremely aggressive The North Face 50 Mile Championships in San Francisco, California, earlier than operating off a streak of consecutive wins and course information on the American River 50 Mile, Western States 100, and Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile. To the shock of nobody, he was named the 2010 North American “Ultrarunning Journal” Ultrarunner of the Yr.
Geoff Roes operating on the 2010 The North Face 50 Mile Championships the place he took second behind Miguel Heras. Picture: Krissy Moehl
Occasions have definitely modified within the sport since Geoff’s unbelievable streak nearly 15 years in the past, as runners as of late are likely to race much less ceaselessly, and the aggressive finish of the game is unfold throughout occasions around the globe. That stated, nonetheless, till just lately, we have now not seen a stretch of ultrarunning from a person just like the one Geoff pulled off in 2009 to 2010. With David Roche’s latest win at Javelina 100 Mile in October on the heels of his course file win on the Leadville 100 Mile in August, I can’t assist however surprise, is David Roche on his strategy to having his Geoff Roes second?
It must be famous that whereas Geoff burst onto the scene in 2008, and rapidly ascended to the highest of the game, David has been at it for a very long time. Nevertheless, till just lately, his focus has been on shorter-distance races the place he has carried out fairly properly. I acquired a first-hand view of David’s health again in March on the Crown King Scramble 50k, right here in Arizona. Whereas he didn’t win, David ran stride-for-stride with Flagstaff speedster Ryan Raff earlier than ending second in 3:44 to Raff’s 3:41. Each of these occasions have been underneath the earlier course file at what is likely one of the oldest races on the Arizona path operating circuit.
David Roche successful the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile and setting a brand new course file. Picture: Life Time
In August, David jumped into the primary 100 miler of his profession on the Leadville 100 Mile and proceeded to placed on a masterclass in pacing and fueling on the best way to beating Matt Carpenter’s 19-year-old course file at that iconic race. David was fairly open in saying that it was his aim to go after Carpenter’s legendary file and he executed his plan completely. Then, simply final month, David returned to Arizona, this time to the Javelina 100 Mile. On a traditionally scorching day, he gained the race in 12:45, simply two minutes off the course file, and in doing so punched himself a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100 in June, 2025.
On the danger of getting too far forward of myself, I feel if David pulls off the win on the Western States 100 in a sub-14-hour time, which he has instructed me is his aim, I might say that it’s definitely Geoff Roes-ish. Moreover, assuming David jumps into one or two tune-up races between from time to time, we may see a 12 months even higher than Geoff’s 15 years in the past. What a good time to be an ultrarunning fan.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from David Roche’s hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Saison, from Sanitas Brewing Firm is a traditional Belgian fashion beer that’s barely fruity with a contact of spice. Weighing in at 5.9% ABV, it’s splendidly drinkable and an ideal accompaniment to a pleasant autumn day within the Rockies.
Name for Feedback
What different season or 12 months from a specific athlete, previous or current, stands out to you?
