While the Saturday night snowstorm cut short the inaugural Prairie Spirit Trail 100- and 50-mile races, it reinforced what race organizer Eric Steele knew all along: that ultramarathoners are some of the toughest athletes around.
“In nearly 20 years of directing and competing in ultra races, I have never witnessed such relentless intestinal fortitude and raw determination from a group of runners than I did this past weekend,” Steele said in an email.
The storm — which blanketed much of eastern Kansas with more than 8 inches of snow — forced organizers to call off the competition early Sunday, with many runners still on the trail.
“In spite of all the chaos and challenges Mother Nature threw our way, I am super-elated to have been a part of it all,” Steele said. “I was beyond impressed by how nearly all individuals handled themselves under conditions like we experienced.”
And while the race didn’t go off as planned, “there will be a next time. Count on it,” Steele said.
Of the 54 100-mile racers who ran the trail from Ottawa to Iola and back, five completed the race before it was called off.
Brandon Purdeu, 25, of Lawton, Okla., was by far the quickest, besting his nearest pursuer by nearly seven hours.
Purdeu navigated the 100-mile trek in 16 hours, 9 minutes and 10 seconds.
The other finishers were Randy Ellis, 61, Sapulpa, Okla., 23:07:40; John Nobles, 28, Cleveland, Okla., 23:24:36; Rene Villalobos, 54, Fort Worth, Texas, 23:44:02; and Jason Ryan, 38, Tacoma, Wash., 24:57:33.
In addition, Steele said a portion of the proceeds from the weekend race will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ($450) and the Prairie Spirit Friends of the Trail ($250).
“Massive congratulations to everyone who was gutsy enough to toe the starting line, in either race,” Steele said. “I am very grateful to have been a part of it. What I witnessed from runners and staff was nothing short of miraculous, and pushed my belief in the overall drive and capacity of the human spirit to an entirely new level.”
Plans already are in the works for next year, Steele said.
Registration for the March 29, 2014, race should begin in the few weeks.
Race organizer reflects on snowy Prairie Spirit 100
