BHP Billiton Rock and Ice Ultra
A Quick Who’s Who
Rob Howard / 21.03.2009
Among the ultra distance racers here there is vast range of experience and a lot of competition in the 4 categories within each race. (Ski and foot in each race with male and female categories.) Among the K-Rock foot racers a name that stands out is Dennis Colburn as he won the 6 day ski category last year. I asked him why he had changed from ski to foot, and from 6 days to 3 and his answer gave an insight into the favourites in all the other male categories as he’d thought carefully about the race he’d do best in, and who not to compete against!
“I know am not going to beat Greg (McHale) on foot over 6 days. He’s a machine and living in the Yukon is used to these conditions. It’s nothing different to him, he’s out in these temps every day so I can’t see anyone beating him, certainly not me! I don’t think the skiers will beat him either. There is no glide, you can’t do anything with wax in these temperatures and trails are often cut up by snowmobiles, so there is really no advantage being on skis. I raced the first couple of days last year at 120/130 heart rate and then tried to chase Greg on the last day and was at 170 – and I still couldn’t catch him.
“Phil Villeneuve is another man I know I can’t beat, he’s a top endurance skier and won’t be troubled by the distance over 6 days, and I think he’ll probably beat Phil Argue who is his main opposition, but I’m not in shape to race either of them now. So the 3 day foot race is for me. There is still a diamond to race for and it’s only half the distance! I Googled everyone I’m racing against, and the only one I found any results for was Marcus Wiaderek so I guess he is the competition, but we’ll see. You never really know.
“How we will shape up I don’t know, but I’ll be happier when I have the first day complete and see how I feel. Last year a 9 hour first day was a real shock. A real shock! Conditions look better this year, but a lot depends on the condition of the trails and I’m going out to recce some of the day one route this afternoon. I hope to running most of the way rather than snow shoeing.�See All Event Posts
