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 concept.
“AJW, would you be prepared to affix the Freeway 49 crossing volunteer staff 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 placement 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. Nonetheless, a number of years in the past the race organizers well 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 get rid of the necessity for crew shuttles and intensive visitors management.
Nonetheless, the runners nonetheless would want to cross the very busy Freeway 49, which is troublesome at any time however will be particularly difficult with 93.5 miles in your legs. So, although 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.
A few of the 2023 Freeway 49 crossing volunteer staff (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. Picture courtesy of Nicole England.
The situation 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 at nighttime all evening lengthy cheering runners on as they emerged from the darkness and made their manner by way of the fencing and throughout the busy freeway.
As one may anticipate in the midst 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 received 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 the earth through 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 aside 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. Picture courtesy of Nicole England.
Western States brings out the very best 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 atypical and extraordinary. The atypical gathering of which I used to be an element final Sunday early morning made my day somewhat higher and, I’ve to consider, 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 frivolously hopped and tremendous crisp.
An excellent summer time beer, No Regerts is an ideal, simple sipping beer for a scorching summer time evening.
Name for Feedback
- Should you had been at in particular person, otherwise you adopted on-line, final weekend’s Western States 100, what human tales caught your curiosity?
- Who did you end up cheering for somewhat tougher?
