The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning

The real meat and potatoes of Team Sherpa's Project 2010, consists of the races encompassing The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. I understand that many of you reading this may not be privy to what the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning is, why it's important or why this summer is the summer I've chosen to run it. So, without further adieu, I'd like to shed some light on the subject as we continue to head into Race #1, Western States.

History:
Former editor of Ultrarunning Magazine, Fred Pilon, first contrived the idea of a Grand Slam of Ultrarunning in 1985. His idea was to run the four oldest 100 mile races in the country in one summer. In that very year, his first attempt at running the slam was unsuccessful. In 1986, Tom Green, a painter from Columbia, MD became the first person to complete the slam.

The races first included The Old Dominion 100, Western States 100, Leadville 100 and Wasatch 100. In 1989, when the Vermont 100 came onto the 100 mile scene, it became accepted as an alternative to Old Dominion. In 2003, Old Dominion was eliminated as one of the Grand Slam races and the list of races now remains Western, Vermont, Leadville and Wasatch. In 2008, forest fires forced the cancellation of The Western States 100. Because of the race cancellation and thanks to the help from Arakansas Traveller 100 race staff, the AT100 served as the fourth race in the series for this year only.

By the Numbers:
Since 1985, the Grand Slam has been completed a total of 226 times by 197 people. Only 18 people have ever completed the slam on more then one occasion. A testament to the commitment to train as well as the difficulty to even enter these races. The average age of a Grand Slammer is 44.89 years old.
The fastest time of the current slam is 75 Hours 7 minutes by Joe Kulak in 2003 and Ann Trason in 1998 with a time of 79 Hours 23 Minutes 21 seconds.
(Stats from: http://www.run100s.com/slamstats.txt)


2010:
This year, 27 individuals have officially registered as entrants into the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, aspiring to take on these 4 races in 4 months.

No runner from New Hampshire has ever completed the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. This year, I am the youngest runner registered in the Grand Slam and the youngest since 2006.

Entry:
In order to gain entry into the Grand Slam, runners must complete an application and pay an $80 fee which will be used to cover the cost of the finishers awards. Runners must be official entrants into all four races and have paid this $80 fee and filled out the application prior to Western States.

Awards:
Any runner who officially completes all four 100 mile races in one summer will receive a beautifully sculpted eagle head trophy and their name will be among the few hundred who have accomplished this arduous and adventurous task.

The Races:

(Keith Kniplings GPS Profiles from 2006)

Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run

June 26-27, 2010 - Squaw Valley, CA
100.2 Miles : 18,040' of climb : 21,970' of descent
Highest Point: 8,720' : Lowest Point: 581'
Entry: Lottery +$395

Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run

July 17-18, 2010 - Woodstock, VT

100 Miles :14,160' of climb : 14,160' of descent

Highest Point: 1,945' : Lowest Point: 492'

Entry: $200

Leadville 100 Mile Endurance Run

August 21-22, 2010 - Leadville, CO

100 Miles : 15,600' of climb : 15,600' of descent

Highest Point: 12,260' : Lowest Point: 9,200'

Entry: $300

Wasatch 100 Mile Endurance Run

September 10-11, 2010 - Layton, UT

100 Miles : 26,882' of climb : 26,131' of descent

Highest Point: 10,450' : Lowest Point: 4,880'(Start)

Entry: Lottery + $175