US path and mountain races typically get a uncooked deal as much less technical than European ones, so Robbie Britton went to search out out for himself on the Damaged Arrow Skyrace.
The scene is Olympic Valley, California. The altitude, for the beginning, is about 2000m. It’s definitely a race that takes you nearer to the sky than many others.
Damaged Arrow Skyrace has an entire bunch of distances to select from together with a vertical kilometre, 11k, 26km, 52km and the “Iron Face Problem” which is the frankly terrifying thought of racing up some through ferrata, so clearly the 52km was your best option when travelling over from Europe. The longer the race, the extra nearer I can get to the entrance… usually.
Two laps of the 26km loop is the format for the 52km, topping out every time with a ladder to climb atop Squaw Peak at 2700m. That’s proper, you must climb up a ladder on the very prime of the race. The Stairway to Heaven they name it, however on lap two it felt something however.
The group
As quickly as you get to the valley one factor stands out, along with the jaw dropping mountain vistas and large vehicles, and it’s the shut knit, pleasant and vibrant path operating group that’s coming collectively on the town. Outdated mates meet at each nook, individuals inform tales of races and adventures previous and the passion is effervescent throughout.
The identical may be stated for the checkpoints, that are extensively stocked with every kind of snacks and drinks. Frankly I’ve been in supermarkets with much less vary than a few of the checkpoints at this race. The volunteers too, abound with vitality that they undertaking onto the runners, from first to final.
Even hanging round on the end, everybody from the highest elite to final place are having fun with the corporate of others and capturing the breeze, watching mates within the subsequent race of the weekend.
The course
The loop itself begins with a dash via a carpark and you then’re onto the paths. The primary couple of climbs, earlier than it will get correct excessive, is runnable single observe in lovely woodland. Cruising alongside the descents you need them to go on for ever, however earlier than lengthy it ramps up. Actually.
The race will get severe whenever you hit some ski slopes and take the directissima path to the highest. Add within the reality you’re at 2400m elevation and it’s exhausting work for a Londoner for positive. The individuals overtaking have house cities equivalent to “Flagstaff” and “Boulder” and also you begin to realise that arriving two days beforehand most likely wasn’t the neatest (nonetheless, you play the hand you’re dealt and provides it you greatest shot, so no complaining right here).
Issues get extra technical the upper you get, with rocky escarpments main as much as the ladder within the sky and onto the small plateau at 2700m earlier than you begin descending (with an extra wee climb to maintain you in your toes).
For essentially the most half the descending is quick. Some technical sections gradual you down, however there’s some fireroads the place you may destroy your quads when you so need. The one observe sections are rocky, however nothing strikes about and you’ll fly alongside properly. Then it’s a bit extra hearth street into the end and also you go once more.
Word to self: the altitude sucks extra on the second lap.
The second time at 2700m I didn’t really feel any extra acclimatised. Frankly it felt rougher horrible.
A mix of the each worlds
So was this identical to a sky race in Europe? Sure and no. The course itself was actually robust, with the altitude enjoying a big a part of this and the technicality and the steepness on the uphills including to the combination. The descending had parts of the tough Euro descents, however nothing too sustained (and I preferred that).
The intermittent hearth street sections gave a pleasant likelihood to regroup between the one observe and also you weren’t throwing your life into the fingers of the path gods for 1000m of downhill prefer it feels at some Skyraces. Okay, that’s a bit melodramatic, however I’m from London initially.
David Sinclair successful the 52km in his snazzy kneepads and ringing the bell they each jumps for on the end.
Total it was merely a superb expertise. The paths, the group, the excessive ranges of competitions and an perception into the path operating world throughout the pond.
Now time for an additional massive race within the US. You might need heard of the Western States 100? Apparently that’s fairly an thrilling one too. Crewing, not racing this time although.