150 Miles Across The Years

Guest Contributor: Deanna Springall
​Read Time: 3 mins

Across the Years is an Aravaipa Running event offering timed (6-day, 72hr, 48hr, 24hr, 12hr, 6hr), fixed distance (200mi, 100mi, 100K, Marathon), and a Last Runner Standing event at the turn of the new year. It’s a loop course (1.4108 miles with 23 feet of elevation gain per loop) around the Spring Training facility for the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. 

Although I’ve done a few dozen marathons and ultras (mainly 50Ks), I walk rather than run, so I must choose races carefully based upon time cutoffs that I can achieve. Since most 100-mile events have cutoffs, I’d never make, perhaps Aravaipa’s 6-day event would give me enough time to cover 100 miles and get that coveted buckle. I convinced/coerced Sally - who’s a good runner but had never done anything longer than a marathon – into going along, so she registered for the 3-day race with a goal of 50 miles.

After the race, I still find it incredibly hard to decide if I should focus on our own experiences or to simply marvel at the fellow athletes, the event, and the stories that unfolded throughout this amazing experience. I guess I’ll just do a little of both! 

The Competitors:
It was an honor and an inspiration to be on the same course with:

• Ann Trason, member of the Ultrarunning Hall of Fame, owner of 20 running world records, 14 victories at the Western States Endurance Run and 4 victories at Leadville 100. She’s battled rheumatoid arthritis for years and came to the event with a goal of covering 50K but blew past that and kept going. When she finished lap 71 to reach 100 miles, she was accompanied by dozens of cheering fellow athletes. I had a chance to chat with her in the nap tent as well as a few times on course, and she even signed my race bib and added a few hearts! Check out details of her effort HERE.

• Ed Ettinghausen (HERE) who holds the record for most 100-mile races completed. When I asked him how this year’s event contributed to his tally, he recalled that, last year, he signed up for three races (24-, 48- and 72-hour) and could add 3 100-mile races to his tally. Since he opted for the 6-day event this year, it was only one race, so he was credited with one 100-miler, although he covered nearly 350 miles as the 6th overall male.

• Yolanda Holder (HERE), the World Champion Pedestrian (3100 miles) and the American 6-day Women Walker World Record (413 miles). When we chatted on course, she described how she found it so difficult to take a break then start again. But, she doesn’t take many breaks – over 6 days, her longest down time was 3 hours and 22 minutes. She placed 5th overall (2nd woman) with 395 miles. And you gotta like someone who takes the time to say they like your shirt.

• Simon Guerard (HERE), who filmed an extremely useful YouTube video on last year’s Across the Years event. Watch it if you’re considering this event! I had a chance to briefly thank him at the start of his 100-mile run. 

Simon Guerard in his distinctive striped top

• Justin and Melissa Montague, Mount to Coast athletes (and married couple) from the UK who were the top male and female in the 6-day event. Such nice people – we chatted with both several times. Their coach had a friend in Phoenix who, at the last minute, drove his RV to the sports complex for Justin and Melissa to use – and then proceeded to crew them for 6 days.

6 Day Female Champ - Melissa Montague getting some vert in (23ft)

This is why I adore the trail running community. Everyone is approachable and supportive and it's an amazing experience sharing miles and conversations with some of the top names in the sport!

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The Event:
We’ve participated in Aravaipa Running events before and were not surprised that they put on a world-class event. Aid station with a rotating menu of runner-friendly food, an eating tent next door and an express water/electrolytes line if you didn’t want to stop for food. Nap tent. Medical tent. Showers. Real restrooms with flush toilets, as well as porta potties along the course, cleaned regularly. Lights along the course so no need for a headlamp. Guest bibs so friends and family members can keep you company for a few laps. Friendly and knowledgeable volunteers. Everything available for the full 144 hours.

Literal "Swag" Bag

On-site Lodging/Tent Rentals

RV/car parking and crew areas directly on course. Beautiful swag. Live tracking. Live stream. Tables, tents, cots, and sleeping bags for rent if you couldn’t bring your own. Nearby hotels and restaurants.

Here’s a little thing that stuck with me. At the aid station, the single-serve cream cheese packets for the bagels were cut in half so you didn’t have to struggle opening them. I told the volunteers that it was one of the smartest things I’d ever seen.

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Dedicated or Medicated?

Medicated or Dedicated?

The Experience:
We like our creature comforts, so we booked a hotel to have a real bed and a hot shower for the nights. The hotel was about 0.5 miles from the course, so it was easy to walk back and forth if needed. The HPM Adventure Flag went along for the ride and witnessed every single loop!

Deanna's Stats

• Dec 28: 24 laps/ 33.86 miles. We started at 9 AM and it got fairly warm by the afternoon. As evening rolled around, there was a particularly encouraging sign about our "dedication"
• Dec 29: 12 laps/16.93 miles. I started about 8:30 and laughed when I saw that someone had cleverly modified the encouraging sign from the night before to question if we were "medicated"? My big mistake was too much mileage on the first day - by the afternoon, I called an early stop because I was beat.
• Dec 30: 18 laps/25.39 miles. I don’t sleep well after long distances, so I was back at it around 4 AM. The sunrise was lovely.
• Dec 31: 17 laps/23.98 miles. Ditto on the sleep. Got started about 6:30 AM, witnessing another lovely sunrise. This was my day to hit 100 miles and claim that buckle. Set my new goal of 200K.
• Jan 1: 19 laps/ 26.81 miles. Got to 200K with 126.97 miles and set my new goal of 150 miles.
• Jan 2: 17 laps/23.98 miles. I cheered Ann Trason as she hit 100 miles, then I hit 150 miles.
• Deanna Total: 151.96 miles

All smiles at the start

Constant reminder to keep moving!

Sally's Stats

• Dec 28: 22 laps/31.04 miles. Sally met her first day goal of 50K, completing her first ultra ever.
• Dec 29: 21 laps/29.63 miles. Sally then pulled out a marathon+, hitting her goal of 50 miles in 2 days. Like the Energizer Bunny, she kept going and reached 60 miles.
• Dec 30: 28 laps/39.50 miles, Sally smelled a buckle and hammered out her second ultra ever to get to 100 miles. Amazing.
• Sally Total: 100.172 miles

250 total miles! Sally (L) Deanna (R)

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The Lesson:
It was 100% worth the belt buckle!!

Check out Deanna's Adventure club entry here

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Journal - 150 Miles Across The Years