Gore-Tex Trans Rockies Run 2012
Six Days Across the Rockies
News Release / 15.08.2012
The 2012 edition of the GORE-TEX® TransRockies Run started its 6 day march to Beaver Creek from beautiful Buena Vista, Colorado. This year saw the start line move several blocks to the quaint neighbourhood of South Main. Three hundred and sixty plus Trail Striders lined up and hit the trails at 9:00 AM sharp.
The GORE-TEX™ TransRockies Run isn't just a race it's a celebration of trail running and the outdoors. It's a 3 or 6 day trek through the Rockies with people from all over the world who love to go further, and higher, than their pavement pounding counterparts. One of the most appealing things about the GORE-TEX® TransRockies Run is how it brings so many different groups of people together. Runners of all ages, speeds, shapes and sizes come together to experience a race like no other. Over the week, friendships will be made that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
This morning, as the starter's pistol sounded, those 360 hardy souls from 16 countries from Australia to Ireland took to the trail to test their minds and bodies and 'Find out what's inside ... outside'.
The runners were greeted by yet another glorious Colorado summer morning. There were faint hopes that rain from the previous day would bring cloud cover and cooler temperatures. As the runners hit the trail, and began their first long climb of the week, it was evident that the day would be warm, but not scorching, as in years past. With day one underway, our Trail Striders began to tick off the 20,000 feet of elevation gain that lay before them over the next 6 days.
As in past years, a strong elite field assembled to mount their assault on the 6 day version of the event. These teams would use this first day to test their competition and see who came ready to race. Team Run Flagstaff, past winners Michael Smith and Rob Krar, established themselves as the dominant force in the Open Men's category with solid 2:15:20 and 13 minute win over 2nd place Team Salomon runners Jorge Maravilla and Mario Mendoza. In similar fashion the ladies of Ooh la La Sportiva, Pam Smith and Jenny Capel, racked up their first podium placing of the week with a 3:13:26.
Last year Zach Violett and Stephanie Howe of The North Face Bendites placed third overall in the Open Mixed. Today they took one step toward an overall title with a first place finish in 2:47:57 over Team Sam members Amy Schneeberg and Geoff Reid. With over a 7 minute lead, the other teams will have some work to do but anything can happen over the next 5 days.
SleepMonsters
