Western States Weekend

Wow! Is this field packed this year!  It sure is going to be an exciting race to watch whether you are there in person or watching the live updates.   The valley temps could hit 100 degrees.  How will that affect this year's race?

My predictions (because it's fun to speculate and I'm "that" person who also tries to predict Oscar winners):

Of course this is totally speculative.  So many things come into play like who does better in heat or cold.  Who the pacers are.  If someone gets injured, etc.  Here we go...  Men First:

1. Scott Jurek (heard he may have some plantar issues but he's undefeated on this course.  if he is not having an injury problem - and maybe even if he is - it's hard to bet on anyone beating him here)
2. Hal Koerner (last ws100 champion but he'll have to content with the king of the course if he wants to repeat)
3. Dave Mackey (don't know much about him other than he's been tearing up the trails and seems to be many people's favorite - aside from Scott)
4. Anton Krupicka (he's one tough mountain runner and maybe should place higher but I also heard rumors he is injured - will he even start?)
5. Eric Grossman (don't know much about this guy from out east but many say he could be the dark horse)

And the women:

1. Krissy Moehl (mostly quiet in 2008 but who can forget her amazing year in 2007 and record at Hardrock? She's also has a stellar pacer and has run here before when not at the top of her game.  She paced Hal when he was champion last time around.  This could be her moment to shine on this course)
2. Nikki Kimball (I'm not sure if any of the women in this race have run against Nikki toe to toe and beat her.  She may very well take 1st but I'm rooting for the "underdog" here and calling if for Krissy - if someone like her can even be called an underdog)
3. Jenn Shelton (I know she's not as experienced in the California mountains since she's from out east but she can be a very strong runner and if the mountains don't get her she can easily be top 5.  She might need a few more years before she takes the top spot in a race like this but she certainly has the potential to kick some ass)
4. Bev Anderson-Abbs (Very strong runner with plenty of WS100 experience and hard to even put her 4th in this list but the competition is tough this year!)
5. The next few spots I won't list because they are just about anyone's for the taking like: Anita Ortiz, Francesca Conte, Connie Gardner, Prudence L'Heureux, and Michelle Barton.

You can read some fun dialog on all this speculation over at Andy or Karl's blogs.

Can't wait for Saturday!  Good luck everyone and have a blast!

Jessica

Comments

[Stuart]

Sure is a strong field should be a helluva race...but then it always is!