The live results page is experiencing some technical difficulties, so this update will just be some thoughts and anecdotes observed over the last couple days. December 31st brings the largest number of runners on the course on any day of the race. The 72 Hour, 48 Hour, and 24 hour all finish simultaneously tomorrow morning, while the Six Day runners get to endure their 4th day of torture.
Today there is much excitement in the air – running a race starting in 2015 and finishing in 2016 is what this race is all about. We’re about to go Across the Years!
As a Six Day runner, I’ve now seen 4 race starts in 4 days, and everyday we see the same repeat of runners going out hard, later to fade in the afternoon, and by nightfall only a trickle of athletes remain out on the course. Seems nearly 90% of the runners who had ‘lofty goals’ going into this race face a reality check about six to eight hours into their own race as the body adjusts and the constant pounding of the legs. It’s very cold at night but we press on from t-shirts in the afternoon to parkas and North Face gear overnight with full bottles of water turning to solid ice.
As far as who’s in what position, Ed Ettinghausen is still leading the Six Day race. David Johnston and John Geesler are probably still within a few miles of each other, while Christer Svensson & Greg Salvesen are close behind. George Biondic, Bobby Keogh and Andy Noise have consistently added miles and round up the top male spots. Sue Scholl, Yolanda Holder, Kimberley Van Diest and Martina Hausmann are the top female runners.
For the 72 Hour, 48 & 24 hours, the exact standings are unclear momentarily, but I think it’s going to be Dave Proctor & Jill Hudson winning the 72 hours, Kelley Agnew & Debra Horn still maintaining their lead(s). Dave Proctor had issues with his knees and won’t be going for the 500km Canadian National Record, but is still adding some laps. We’ll get to see clearly Friday morning who will have run the fastest 24 hour race over the past 4 days.
Happy New Year, Keep on Running.
