The North Face - Endurance Challenge

THE ENDURANCE EXPERIENCE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TRAIL - WASHINGTON D.C. - 2009

Race Recap | Results | Photos | Take Survey

RACE REPORT - THE NORTH FACE® ENDURANCE CHALLENGE WASHINGTON D.C. - 2009

By: Michael Wardian

Algonkian Regional Park, Sterling, VA (September 19, 2009) - Washington, D.C., is famous for politics and fickle weather; The North Face® Endurance Challenge was cancelled in 2008 due to tropical storm Hana. Not only were all medical and emergency agencies preoccupied by the storm, the course was unsafe for competition due to an abundance of rain and debris, and unfortunately all events of the Endurance Challenge had to be cancelled.

During the week leading up to the 2009 edition of The North Face® Endurance Challenge, I was worried we might have a repeat of 2008, but as the work week concluded the weather became better and better, and I was itching to race.

On Saturday, September 19, 2009, fine weather was in store for the competitors of The North Face® Endurance Challenge. Temperatures were nice and comfortable, at a low of 62 °F (16 °C) and high of 76 °F (24 °C). The courses were mostly protected from the sun by lots of tree cover, which made it ideal for running. Goldilocks weather: not too hot, not too cold.

The race had grown from 370 athletes in 2007 to a full capacity of over 1,000 runners, all milling about, itching to participate in the four different events: 10K (6.2 Miles), Half Marathon (13.1 Miles), 50K (31.1 Miles) and 50 Miles.

The courses consist of 50 percent singletrack, 30 percent dirt or gravel doubletrack, 10 percent gravel carriage road and 10 percent paved road, and each race gets to experience a little of these surfaces, makings for a nice runable course that can produce some extremely fast times for a trail race.

I was excited for a trail 50 mile event that was not all climbing and descending and was a course I could really run. It was not going to be easy, as there was a lot of singletrack and lots of technical gnarly roots and rocks, but I thought I had a good chance to be in the mix.

I woke up around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and had the pleasure of company; my friend from college, Vince Voisin, had come to town to run the Half Marathon distance. His mother, Vicki Voisin, got me into running while we were in college, and this was my chance to host him for one of his first trail races.

We had some PowerBars for breakfast, hopped in the car and headed out to Algonikan Park. We arrived to the delightful view of mist rising off the ground in the surrounding blackness. We could see a plethora of stars, and my friend was impressed that we had such “wilderness” so close to Washington, D.C.

The start line was off in the distance, and it was lit up with huge lights, and there were tons of people wandering about. I grabbed my number, put on my The North Face® PR Shorts, my singlet and shoes, and I got ready to roll.

Looking around, I wondered if some of the people I had met in The North Face Running Club over the last few months would be in attendance, and I was not disappointed; they were there, looked in great spirits and were ready to go.

The pre-race number pick-up was flawless and bag drop was divine. Everything was coming together for a great race.

I was curious to see how the race would shake out, as I knew there were some solid runners with incredible past results, along with people running their first 50 Miler, like my friend and training partner, Bart Borghuis. I had seen him training very hard for the race, and caught him in the middle of a difficult four-hour run a few weeks before, when I was out pushing my boys (Pierce - 3 years, and Grant - 9 months) on a weekend morning run.

That is the exciting thing about the Endurance Challenge events: they are always competitive, but they allow people of all experience levels to run the trails in a safe and controlled environment.

BANG. Off we went, with headlamps blazing, at exactly 5:00 a.m.

The race was well designed, and we rolled through the early miles at an easy clip in a few large groups, getting to see the runners behind us at numerous opportunities. It was fun, as everyone had headlamps, making for quite a spectacle.

We ran from Algonkian Regional Park, through Riverbend Park and then to Great Falls, at which time the sun started to crest.

I had fallen off the leaders by the time we hit Great Falls, but having the sunlight made a big difference. Once in Great Falls, the course did three loops, and halfway through the first circuit I was able to reconnect with the lead group. By the second lap I had put some time into them, and by the third I had opened a substantial lead.

I was really enjoying the feeling of running in Great Falls, where I used to come and train with my dogs early in my running career. Thanks to the winding course, it was also very cool to see the other runners multiple times. I was able to cheer for friends and other runners, and they were able to encourage me, too. What a nice feeling. I was just rolling and enjoying the feeling of running, without a care in the world.

The guys, Ben Nephew (1st overall) and Leigh Schimit (2nd overall), among others had different ideas as to how this race would shake out, and they passed me before the finish. I managed to pull back up to them, but they were too strong in the end, and I had to settle for third overall in the Gore-Tex 50 Mile.

It was disappointing not to bring home the victory, but I was pleased to have run a solid race, and I did my best and pushed myself to the limits.

I thought the course was terrific, and the race organization did a superb job. I expect that next year the races will be even better, and I look forward to being a part of it. From the chatter at the post race party, it sounds like almost everyone that competed will be back for more in 2010!

Here’s what some of the other athletes are saying about their experience:

“The North Face Washington DC 50 Miler was a great course for first time 50 Milers, and a good challenge for veteran ultra runners trying to run a fast 50 Miler. The course was a good combination of singletrack, moderate hills and carriage roads which kept things interesting throughout the race. The three-loop section in Great Falls made refueling logistics easy, and allowed us to check out our competition throughout the race. Aid station staff was very supportive and encouraging throughout the race, which was greatly appreciated. It was another well-organized event by The North Face, and I especially appreciate the competition these events have stimulated in the Northeast over the last three years. They have been significant additions to the ultra calendar in our region. ”
Ben Nephew, 1st place overall-Gore-Tex 50 Mile Male

“A perfect day for running. Cooler temps to start, and, more than anything, a nice canopy throughout almost the entire course. The new, revised course layout was less technical and perhaps less hilly than the course I recalled running in 2007, but, on the flip side, it made for faster times and long stretches where you could ‘open it up.’ As for the race itself, an interesting and dramatic finish, indeed. Ben and I pushed each other all day, and then, around mile 40, I pulled ahead and ran steady. Nonetheless, Ben caught back up to me - he's a real scrapper - and we exchanged places numerous times in the last 1.5 miles. In the end, he out-kicked me in the last 100-150 meters. A mere seven seconds separated our finish times - one of the closest results that I've ever experienced in running ultras. Perhaps most interesting, however, was the fact we thought we were dueling it out for second and third places respectively! 'More drama than an episode of Grey's Anatomy... or something like that.”
Leigh Schmitt, 2nd place overall-Gore-Tex 50 Mile

“It was my first 50 Miler and I could not have chosen a better race to do my first 50! The course was beautiful, the weather spectacular and - most importantly - I felt safe and taken care of at this race. The staff was beyond amazing, and all the volunteers supported me like they were my number one fans! I really felt like a spoiled princess during this race! ”
Jimena Barrera, 50 Miler, 3rd place-Gore-Tex 50 Mile Female

“I was falling apart at mile 25 when a collegiate women's cross-country team came running by for practice. I thought I might be hallucinating, but they certainly looked real. I tried to catch up, but soon realized that I looked like death warmed over, and I didn't want them calling the cops.”
Hannon Didier-3rd place overall, 50K

“I had a great time. There was the perfect amount of runners, and it was not too crowded on the course. September is the perfect time of year to race in D.C.; it’s not too hot. I also love the course choice and route. I will do it again next year, but I plan to try the 50 Miler instead of the 50K.”
Andrea Manley, 1st place female, 50K

“The North Face Endurance Challenge Course is very runable for experienced runners and new runners alike. It's a great race to kick-start the fall season. The race was well organized, and everyone got some great North Face gear just for signing up. My plan is to come back next year and run 50 Miles. Watch out!”
Matt Woods, 1st place overall, 50K

“That was my first 50 Mile race, and I loved it! The course was great. I enjoyed my run along the river and jumping over the rocks at the Great Falls. It was a lot of fun! The weather was just perfect for the run - nice and cool, plenty of shade from the trees and cool air of the river. Want to make special mention of volunteers: They were great! Very, very helpful and supportive! Huge thanks to them!

I also liked the Great Falls loop because I was able to run with other participants and have encouragement from family, friends and other spectators. And when you do 50 Miles, it feels really good when people support you. ”
Lyudmila Anderson-Gore-Tex 50 Mile Female-1st place

“This was my first 50K at age 41, and I can’t wait to do another one. I had a blast and savored every moment of a perfect day. Both my husband and I got lost and ran an extra couple of miles each, but it was all part of the adventure. Thank you! ”
Melissa Kerr (3rd female overall, 5:25-50K)

“I really liked the trail. It wasn't too steep and I won some cool prizes. ”
Jackson Powell, 11 years old and champion of the under 20 division of the 10K

The North Face® Endurance Challenge series totals four regional races and one Championship event. From May through December 2009, five endurance events will span the country, starting in Bear Mountain, NY, passing through the Seattle area in Bellingham, WA, then traveling to Washington, D.C., and Madison, WI, before culminating with the championship in San Francisco, Calif. The four race distances at each event are 10K, Half-Marathon, 50K and 50 Miles. Each men’s and women’s regional GORE-TEX® 50 Mile champion will take home $1,000 and a complimentary entry to the Endurance Challenge Championship in San Francisco in December, where $10,000 – the largest prize purse in ultrarunning -- will go to the top male and female GORE-TEX® 50 Mile finisher. Winners of The North Face® Endurance Challenge Championship (U.S.), and winners of The North Face® Canadian Death Race (Canada), The North Face® 100 (China), The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® (Europe), and The North Face® Ultra Maratón de los Andes (South America) will all receive an expenses-paid trip to race at their choice one of the other four races.

For more information, to register for the event or join your local The North Face® Endurance Challenge running club, visit www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge.

• Contact
• Privacy
• Term & Conditions