A month earlier than this yr’s Western States 100, Invoice Hambrick, the race’s veteran assistant race director, got here to me with an thought.
“AJW, would you be prepared to affix the Freeway 49 crossing volunteer workforce in the midst of the evening to energise the runners and push them towards their silver buckles?”
“That sounds nice Invoice!”
And so it was, within the wee early morning hours final Sunday morning, that I discovered myself amongst a small, joyful band of volunteers on the 93.5-mile level of the Western States 100.
For years, the Freeway 49 crossing was the situation of an support station. Coming after the lengthy climb up from Quarry Street and earlier than the ultimate pitch as much as the Cool Meadow, Freeway 49 was a welcome refuge. Nevertheless, a number of years in the past the race organizers neatly determined to maneuver the help station a mile additional up the path to Pointed Rocks, a location that was safer for each runners and crews and would remove the necessity for crew shuttles and in depth site visitors management.
Nonetheless, the runners nonetheless would want to cross the very busy Freeway 49, which is tough at any time however may be particularly difficult with 93.5 miles in your legs. So, despite the fact that the help station was eradicated the race organizers determined to stage a small group of volunteers on the highway crossing in addition to a California Freeway Patrol officer full with flashing lights, flagging, warning indicators, and extra.
Among the 2023 Freeway 49 crossing volunteer workforce (l-to-r): Nicole England, Christina Sousa, Kristina Reiswig, AJW, Zach Denico, Kevin Haugen, and Jody Braninburg. California Freeway Patrol officer Pat is just not pictured. Photograph courtesy of Nicole England.
The placement of the Freeway 49 crossing is just not precisely a backyard spot on the course. Set within the midst of a working quarry and surrounded by chain-link fences and barbed wire, the Freeway 49 crossing is about as welcoming to the runners as a maximum-security jail. And that’s the place the joyful band of volunteers is available in.
Spearheaded by Nicole England, and supported this yr by Kristina Reiswig, Christina Sousa, Jody Braninburg, Kevin Haugen, and Zach Denico, this intrepid group of volunteers stood in the dead of night all evening lengthy cheering runners on as they emerged from the darkness and made their approach by way of the fencing and throughout the busy freeway.
As one would possibly count on in the middle of a late-night gathering like this one, over time a few of our group took on nicknames, “Child Runner” and “Christina with a Ch,” for instance, in addition to some established patterns, like the place Jody greeted each runner who got here down the hill with a, “Work these quads!” Even police officer Pat bought into the act as he held the cease signal in the midst of the freeway and inspired runners on to the end.
When my shift ended, I couldn’t assist however suppose how unimaginable this was. Is there one other occasion on this planet during which this might occur? Is there one other place the place eight folks may collect collectively in the midst of the evening alongside a busy freeway with no reward apart from the distant satisfaction of cheering on a runner towards the end of a lifetime? And but that’s the spirit of Western States.
Nicole England and her household on the 2023 Freeway 49 crossing. Photograph courtesy of Nicole England.
Western States brings out the most effective in all of us. Western States isn’t just a celebration of humanity however a possibility for folks to assemble in methods which are each extraordinary and extraordinary. The extraordinary gathering of which I used to be a component final Sunday early morning made my day a bit of higher and, I’ve to imagine, gave these weary runners just a bit push towards that end line. To me, that makes all of it worthwhile. I can’t wait to get again on the market subsequent yr.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Morgan Territory Brewing in Tracy, California. No Regrerts Tropical Pale Ale — that’s how they spell it! — is an easy-drinking, barely fruity American Pale Ale that’s evenly hopped and tremendous crisp.
An impressive summer season beer, No Regerts is an ideal, straightforward sipping beer for a scorching summer season evening.
Name for Feedback
- When you had been at in individual, otherwise you adopted on-line, final weekend’s Western States 100, what human tales caught your curiosity?
- Who did you end up cheering for a bit of more durable?
