07 | August | 2012 | IAN CORLESS

Oregon Ultrarunning Stars Olson, Koerner to Headline Waldo 100K RaceWomen’s field includes Joelle Vaught and Denise Bourassa

Race Day Aug. 18, 2012

WILLAMETTE PASS, Ore. — Western States 100 champion and Montrail Ultra Cup winner Timothy Olson and Hardrock 100 winner Hal Koerner top the start list for Oregon’s premier ultramarathon,Waldo 100K.

They will be joined by Waldo women’s course record holder Joelle Vaught and 2011 second place finisher and Montrail Ultra Cup champion Denise Bourassa, along with some of the nation’s finest ultrarunners. The demanding 62-mile race takes place on mostly single-track trails southeast of Eugene, Ore.

“We’re fortunate to have deep fields on the men’s and women’s sides of the race,” said Craig Thornley, Waldo race director and Western States 100 assistant race director. “However it goes down, we can guarantee there will be some exciting competition.”

The excitement of the race is ratcheted up a notch by the fact that Waldo, once again, kicks off the Montrail Ultra Cup race series, and the top two male and female finishers will earn automatic entry spots into the 2013 Western States 100. Top finishers will earn cash prizes thanks to event sponsor Sunsweet Growers. The first place male and female finishers will each earn $500.

Top talent on the men’s side includes Joe Uhan, winner of the 2011 McKenzie River 50k, and 2012 McDonald Forest 50k winner Nick Triolo. 2011 Rocky Raccoon 100 mile champion Ian Sharman will also be competing, along with 2011 Forest Park 50k winner Yassine Diboun and young gun Jacob Rydman, who was third at this year’s American River 50 mile race.

On the women’s side, Ray Miller 50k winner Jen Benna will be in the mix, along with Mountain Masochist 50 mile champion Alison Bryant. Blackhills 100k winner Helen Lavin and Capitol Peak 55k champ Kathleen Egan are both on the start list.

About Waldo 100k

Founded in 2002, Waldo 100k is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization supporting the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol. The challenging mountainous race takes runners over three major climbs of more than 2,000 feet each for a total of 11,000 feet of elevation gain and an equal amount of loss. Sponsored by Sunsweet Growersand Mountain Hardwear, Waldo 100k is funded in part with room tax funds from the city of Oakridge/Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce. The event is part of the Oregon Trail Series and the Montrail Ultra Cup. For more information, go to waldo100k.org.

I have just spent a day with Mark and Steve who are the distributors of Hoka One One in the UK. Always great to catch up with these guys and look at what is coming up from the land of Hoka. In this case, 2013.

The big news; TWO NEW SHOES!

A stripped down trail shoe called RAPA NUI COMP is the first highlight. It has all the benefits of the Hoka One One range such as the rocker profile and bucket seat but this shoe has ‘less’ cushioning to give more ‘feel’ under the foot. In contrast to conventional trail shoes this new shoe still offers great cushioning but NOT to the extent of the Stinson Evo or Mafate 2.

On the trail now you have three choices: Mafate 2 for the rough tough and muddy stuff, Stinson Evo for a more refined trail shoe with less grip and a more streamlined feel than the Mafate 2 and of course now, the Rapa Nui Comp which is an out and out trail racing shoe for hard trail.

Following the ‘stripped down’ feel is a NEW road shoe, the KAILUA COMP.

The shoe shown here is currently a prototype and will change slightly for 2013. Basically the ‘glossy’ effect on the toe box and tongue will go and be replaced with a ‘matt’ finish. As with the Rapa Nui Comp this is a stripped down Hoka One One with rocker profile and bucket seat but with a little less cushioning to provide an increased feel for the road. This will be a great shoe for marathon or below. Again, Hoka One One will now have three shoes for road. Bondi B is a great long distance road or even hard trail shoe, the Stinson Evo Tarmac is a long distance racing shoe (see below) and the new Kailua Comp offers a lighter weight and lower profile shoe for the out and out road racer.

Finally, available now! is the NEW Stinson Evo Tarmac

The Stinson Evo Tarmac is an evolution of the Stinson Evo Trail shoe but with a road sole. It is a fast shoe for distance road running. As with the Evo it comes with two insoles and two lacing options; speed lacing or conventional. The shoe offers a more precise fit over the Bondi B and is a little narrower in the toe box. Availability in the UK will be very limited with just 50 pairs until delivery of 2013 sock expected March.