Superior 50k Race Report - Wynn Davis

Superior 50km
Race Vitals
Event Date:
May 17th, 2008
Time:
4 Hours 8 Minutes
Distance:
50km
Climb/Descent:
(5,550+ ft.)
Course location: .
Superior Hiking Trail
Lutsen, MN
Surface:
Rugged Trail
Place:
1st overall

Race Report
I can’t think of a better place on earth where I would rather be than on the rugged and hauntingly beautiful Superior Hiking Trail. It is gorgeousness and gorgosity all over. The earthy aroma of the fauna homogenized with the silky mist from the gitchi-gummi is sweet bliss.

Race morning brought beautiful sunshine and a relatively cool breeze off the lake. Record attendance gathered for both the 25km & 50km races. This particular part of the race course is very difficult, as it includes three major climbs (Mystery Mtn., Moose Mtn, and Leveaux Mtn.) and a partial climb up Carlton Peak for good measure. The deluge of rocks, ruts, roots, corduroys, blow downs were ever present throughout the race. I let my confidence, course knowledge and pace dictate the race. The blow downs took some time off indefinitely, but they cleared out once runners made it through Moose Mtn. I ran many of the hills experimenting with cadence. The distance between aid stations is pretty far (7 miles), so it is wise to bring fuel. I made it to the turnaround at 1:57 and was greeted by the legend himself, Charlie Hubbard. Charlie has the CR in just over 3:56 on the course. It looked as though a sub 4 could be possible regardless of the blow downs, but I was not sure of my month and a half fitness level of running. However some solid mileage was accumulated leading up to the race.

The climbs up Moose Mtn. and Mystery were definite quad pounders due to their incredible steepness. Moose is a definite “hands on quads” walk fest, and Mystery is an endless steep spiral. In fact I think I heard it calling me on my return trip up the mountain. I think it said something of the likes, “How art thou, thou cheap bottle of stinking chip oil!” However I persevered by grinding away, sliding down a gel and bombing down Mystery when I realized that a sub 4 was not in the cards today. A 4:08 would have to suffice, which I feel is still a solid time for that course.

It was like old home week again seeing familiar faces. Greg Hexum tore up the 25km and Andy Holak came in second winning Masters. It was a special race for many reasons considering my lengthy predicament over the winter months, but never giving in. My right-hand man, my dad, greeted me at the finish with a handshake “Put one in the ol’ vice!”. A great way to celebrate his 69th b-day; he’s as fit as a fiddle. Post-race: Fresh smoked salmon & Two-Hearted Ale in Duluth, real proper like. The roclite 315’s were the perfect compliment to the trail.