[Author’s Note: This is the fifth and final article in my five-part series on unforgettable moments in ultrarunning history. Read our introductory article on this series for a description of what, to me, makes a moment unforgettable.]
I used to be standing on the soccer area at Placer Excessive College in Auburn, California, the place the Western States 100 finishes annually, at round 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2015, when a rumble unfold throughout the assembled crowd. Phrase had come from a mile and a half or so up the highway that one final runner had cleared Robie Level and was headed for the end line.
It was the waning moments of the occasion and Spokane, Washington’s Gunhild Swanson, on the age of 70, was trying to turn into the oldest feminine finisher within the historical past of the race. She was a few mile and a half from the ending monitor and had lower than quarter-hour to get there earlier than the 30-hour cutoff.
Up till this time within the proceedings, the 2015 Western States 100 had already been a memorable race. Flagstaff, Arizona’s Rob Krar had efficiently defended his 2014 win with a repeat win in an unimaginable time of 14:48, and Olympic marathoner and crowd favourite Magda Boulet, from Oakland, California, commandingly gained the ladies’s race in her 100-mile debut. However at this second, with lower than quarter-hour left within the Golden Hour, that magical remaining hour on the Western States 100, all eyes have been on the ticking clock and the destiny of 70-year-old Gunhild as she made her method by means of the streets of Auburn towards the end line.
Gunhild Swanson on the Placer Excessive College monitor that day after ending the 2015 Western States 100. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
All of us discovered later that, unbeknownst to the assembled plenty at the highschool monitor, Rob Krar and his accomplice, Christina Bauer, had wandered as much as Robie Level to cheer on the ultimate finishers. And, in the mean time Gunhild crested the hill and handed the signal marking the race’s 99th mile, Krar, who may barely stroll a second earlier than, jumped in alongside her. Carrying his flip-flops and trademark cowboy hat, he urged her towards the end. his watch, Krar did some fast math and realized they would want to run a nine-minute mile to get to the end in time.
In the meantime, down at the highschool, a gentle stream of finishers circled the monitor en path to their finishes. 29:51, 29:52, 29:53 … the clock saved ticking, the finishers saved coming, and the group turned extra anxious. On the 29:57 mark, John Medinger, the voice of Western States and the monitor’s announcer, bellowed into the microphone, “In case you are throughout the sound of my voice, you higher get transferring. Run such as you stole one thing.”
From my place on the infield, I rapidly jogged out by means of the gate and glanced 100 yards up the highway. There, within the midst of a big crowd of about 20 folks, which included 25-time finisher Tim Twietmeyer and race winner Rob Krar, was 70-year-old Gunhild Swanson, sprinting down the highway. Her eyes have been glazed over and centered on the highway forward. She pumped her arms aggressively, barely noticing my blood-curdling screams as she ran by. When she entered the monitor the clock learn 29:59:10. With 250 meters to go, it was going to be painfully shut.
As Gunhild made her method down the again straight a roar got here up from the group. Up within the sales space, Medinger was on his ft egging Gunhild on to the end and a large scrum of race volunteers, spectators, and associates waited simply previous the end line. As Gunhild hit the ultimate flip, Krar, Twietmeyer, and many of the entourage peeled off — leaving Gunhild in her personal ache cave for the final 60 meters. When she crossed the road, the clock learn 29:59:54. With six seconds to spare, Gunhild turned the oldest feminine finisher within the storied historical past of Western States. And the place went completely bonkers.
Gunhild Swanson after ending the 2015 Western States 100 in 29:59:54, six seconds earlier than the race cutoff at 70 years of age.
In my life as an athlete and as a sports activities fan, I’ve seen many superb issues, each in individual and on tv. Wanting again on that unimaginable Sunday morning in June 2015, I can confidently say that I’ve by no means, ever seen one thing as extraordinary as Gunhild’s end. And I in all probability won’t ever see something prefer it once more.
Within the years which have adopted Gunhild’s historic end, the Golden Hour has taken on a lifetime of its personal and there have been shut calls yearly. That stated, nothing can match the 2015 Golden Hour. For me, and for a lot of who have been there, that day Gunhild captured lightning in a bottle, and I really feel honored and privileged to have witnessed it — the only most unforgettable second in ultrarunning.
Bottoms up!
The group celebrates after Gunhild Swanson completed the 2015 Western States 100. Picture: Ted Knudsen
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Gunhild Swanson’s hometown of Spokane, Washington. Lumberbeard Brewing makes some glorious brews, with none as delicious as the brand new Thunderskunk New England Type IPA. Hoppy and fruity, Thunderskunk definitely bends the principles for typical IPAs and does so unabashedly. Subsequent time you end up within the inland U.S. Pacific Northwest, a visit to Lumberbeard can be nicely value your time.
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