SP 50 2002 Results

Results for the

6th Annual running of the
Snow Peak 50 Mile Trail Run

June 1, 2002

Karl did it again, Karl “Mercury” Meltzer that is, from Sandy, Utah. He took another 14 minutes off the course record he set last year with a winning time of 7:35.58. Nate McDowell from Oregon pushed the pace and was partially responsible for Karl’s new record as they were neck and neck with each other until just after the Little Valley AS at about mile 34 to 35 where Karl was able to start finally pulling away. Nate finished 2nd with an 8:06, on his first attempt here (fifth fastest time ever on this course, Chad Ricklefs has the 3rd fastest and Karl has the other 3).

Here’s how it unfolded in Nate’s own words…” Karl and I ran virtually together all the way to 35 miles, only separating occasionally when one or the other had to pee, etc. We were having a great time, talking a lot, etc, and around 25 miles we agreed to finish together if we could make it to the top together. I was feeling good. Then I made a mistake: I went through aid station #8 without grabbing my gels and caps from my drop bag. A mile or so later, Karl was pushing and I realized I needed to eat in order to keep up…I reached down and discovered I had forgotten my fuel. One thing led to another, and a few miles later I felt like a hypoglycemic zombie. At one point I fell onto my chest (just below the ridgeline trail) and my hamstrings and calves immediately cramped into tight balls…they felt like rocks. I couldn’t stand up, so I just lay there on my belly with my face in the dirt massaging my hams and then my calves. After ~5minutes I was able to stand up. Although it hurt alot, I couldn’t help but laugh…it just seemed so comical. Anyway, I finally made it to the Windy Pass aid station, completely wasted, downed a bunch of potatoes, gels, and powerade from the gracious aid station personnel, then proceed to run downhill, got sick from eating too much a 1/2 mile later, then recovered.

I think, had I not made the fuel/electrolyte mistake at AS#8, I would have run 15/20 minutes faster. However, I couldn’t have kept up with Karl. There is no way. He truly is a great runner”.

On the women’s side, and you other women and men, should take notice of this newcomer … Petra Pirc. She has now run only 2 ultras, she has 2 wins and 2 new course records, the other being Zane Grey just a few weeks ago. She became the first women to go under 9 hours on this course joining only a handful of men who have done the same, as she shattered 2 time winner: Ruth Zollingers record by almost 25 minutes with a time of 8:59.25. Oh … and by the way … her trainer……Karl Meltzer. 2nd place was taken by a women from my home town of Santa Monica, CA. Jana Gustman in a time of 10:30.57.

The 4 Person Team division was won by Marc. J Kirsch, Todd Salzer, Steph Schwartz and Paul South from CO. And the Husband / Wife division was won by James and Julie Nelson of Layton, UT

Complete story will be in in Utlrarunner, including info about the microburst storm that caught many runners as they were going up over Windy Pass. You can also check out Runners Comments and Full Stories pages on the web site, these will be posted by June 13th.

Thank you to every one who came this year and ESPECIALLY to our VOLUNTEERS and SPONSORS.

NEW OVERALL COURSE RECORD**