Krayzie's & Western States Preview
"This won’t be a case of Walmsley beating Walmsley"
Your weekly fix of NZ trail running news
We’re like the morning ice plunge of the trail-running world. A bit wanky and unnecessary, but everyone’s doing it😝
Here's what’s in the drop bag this week:
🏁Krayzies Midwinter Backyard Ultra Preview
🏁Western States Preview
🎯Things You May Have Missed
📰SK News Desk
⛰️💊Mountain Skag of The Week
Note: Due to the length, some email browsers will hide some of the content - make sure you click ‘view entire email’ or click through to substack.
Krayzie Midwinter Backyard Ultra Preview
In one week, 249 Krayzies will step up to take on NZ’s biggest and coldest Backyard Ultra😵💫.
Now, I always presumed it was just the bros who wanted to run around the sand dunes in winter to show how tough they are, but apparently not; the field is 35% female (up from 28%). I guess there’s something to the whole bitches be crazy thing🤔.
This is probably because KMBU is leading the way by introducing a Chick Zone at the event.
“We've added a Chicks Zone this year for females, which is a private zone where they can change clothes, deal with menstrual overflow, etc.”
“We have spare supplies, warmth, a friendly marshal to help with those hideous wet sports bras that you have to be a contortionist to get out of and a washing machine and dryer to clean clothes etc.”
“We hope that this initiative will go some way to help reduce some of the barriers females face in competing in these events.”
Steph, The Boss
The big story heading into KMBU is it’s the final chance to qualify for the NZ Backyard team for the October World Satellite Team Champs.
There are 2 ways to make it on the NZ team:
Win. It’s the last Silver ticket event. A bit like the Golden ticket in Willy Wonka. However, instead of drowning in a pool of chocolate, you get to slowly die running around in circles again in October.
Run 40laps+. Jane McAlpine is currently the last member on the team with 39 laps, which she recently ran at Dead Cow Gully, so that’s the magic number to beat.
But it’s not going to be easy. Only two people have run over 40 laps on this course, one of which is, you guessed it …Sam Harvey.
Last year, he made it back-to-back victories, running 43 laps, with Brandon Purdue taking the assist for the second year with 42.
Hadani Woodruff is the female CR holder with 21 laps, so it will require almost doubling the current record to break into the team for the chicks.
But, looking through the starters list, I see there is the potential for this to happen.
Jane McAlpine, who might need to run more than 40 to defend her spot
Julia Chamberlain, who’s been on an absolute tear
CR holder Hadani Woodruff, who’s only getting stronger
Kings Backyard Last Female Standing, Ketina Chivasa
Lastly, a name that I can’t quite make out. It looks a bit like Alley VVilson😉
In saying all that, the best thing about backyards is anyone can step up and absolutely destroy it, and no one knows who the f🤬ck they are.
The 2 main factors that make it a challenge to go long at KMBU are:
🔦 The dark. If you’re scared of the dark, you’re in trouble. We are only just past Winter Solstice, and the nights are 13 hours long.
🥶 The cold. It gets freezing down on dem duunes.
Jim Hickey won’t return my calls, so here’s local weather enthusiast Tony Sharpe with the latest on the weather.
“Current model runs are changeable but at this stage defo wee bit less cold than previous years. Unlikely to be frosty. Low chance of anything nasty.
All in all no weather dramas at this point”
If you’re stuck with the kids over the weekend and you need them to burn off some energy, head down to Spencer Park. They’ve also added 3 kids’ races this year.
“There's a 1km, 2km & 6.7km. It's a trial run this year to make sure they don't interfere with the BYU and if it doesn't then they will become a permanent fixture. Entries still open for the kids races.”
These events always need more volunteers, especially if they go deep into the 3rd day. If you’re at a loose end, email krayziekapers@gmail.com. I’m sure Steph would love to hear from you.
Click Here for more info on KMBU & follow on Facebook / Instagram for the latest news.
Western States Preview
If you have no idea what Western States is, it’s like the Super Bowl of 100-mile races. Well, like the Super Bowl before UTMB rocked up. It’s Murica’s🌭 oldest 100-mile race, which started as a horse race. Just search Western States on Youtube and there’s countless hours of content for you to burn through.
Mens Preview
We’ve got the boys up first—not just because they’re faster, but because we’ve got 2 boys(Dan Jones and Andrew McDowall) in the fight this year and zero ladies.
I feel like it’s said every year BUT this might be the deepest field assembled at Western States. If it’s not the deepest, it might be the most aggressive.
6 of last years top 10 are returning to throw down this year, and now that Jim Walmsley has clocked UTMB, he’s swapped his crossaints for corndogs and is coming back to claim his throne.
Instead of copying iRunfar and listing last year’s top 10, and adding the names of about 50 other people who sound fast, you can just read their preview here.
I thought I would put up my top 5 with a quick commentary on how I think the race will go.
🥇Danny ‘MF’ Jones
Damn straight, I’m drinking the Kool-Aid. Last year, DJ came in 5th in his 1st 100-mile attempt. With another year of experience running ultras, on his day, I believe he can beat anyone on this course. I THINK he’s got the 2nd fastest marathon time in the field, so he can match it with anyone when the running gets good.
🥈Jim “Daddy Long Legs” Walmsley
It took 2 failed attempts before he nailed Western States. Then, there was no stopping him, and he won the race three times in a row. Now he’s back for his Cougar.
However, I think DJ will not only beat him but also outrun Walmsley. This won’t be a case of Walmsley beating Walmsley; it will be a case of DJ > Walmsley.
🥉Hayden “Shake & Bake” Hawkes
Hawkes & DJ have been training the house down in Utah. I think the two of them will work together and make a break on Walmsley once they’re out of the canyons, Shake & Bake style.
He’s even got the Mo to pull off the Cal look. Walmsley will reel in Hawkes in the final few miles, but he will hold on to 3rd.
4th- Tryler “Lean Bean” Green:
I don’t see Green running from the front and making a move, and in a field as deep as this one, I think it will be another year of Tyler Green mopping up the field towards the end, finishing at the front, but not on top.
5th- Dakota “2nd best DJ” Jones:
Last year, Dakota Jones looked in total control. He ran into Forest Hill ahead of eventual winner Tom Evans, where he was heard saying to his crew, “I’m going to try to break Tom”.
Someone got broken, but it wasn’t Tom, and Jones finished 17th🥵. This year, I think we will see the same aggressive strategy, but once again, I think he will get reeled in.
If you missed this week’s bonus article, you can read the Western States Q&A with Dan Jones below:
Women’s preview:
We’ve been blessed in recent years to watch the likes of Ruth Croft, Fiona Hayvice and Cecilia Flori race Western States. Unfortunately, this year, we have no Kiwis in the fight on the women’s side.
However, it should still be a fascinating race to watch. With no Courtney Dauwalter this year, the door has been blown wide open for a new champion to get their hands on the trophy.
🥇Katie ‘West’ Schide
Last year, Schide ran under Ellie Greenwood’s 2012 course record of 16:47. Unfortunately, she was well over an hour behind Dauwalter. I think Schide will follow the Ruth Croft playbook: 2nd her first year, then coming back and completely crushing it the next, claiming the victory.
I think she will lead from start to finish and go under 16 hours, but I don’t think she will get close to Dauwalters 2023 record of 15:29:33.
🥈Emily ‘How Good Is’ Hawgood
Hawgood has taken 5th in the last 2 Western States. 5th is a bit like turning 35. You’re still 5 years from 40, and it’s kind of hard to remember how old you are. I think she will be more aggressive from the start, trying to stick it with Katie Schide, which will drag her to an impressive sub 17 hour 2nd place.
🥉Rachel Drake ‘The Muss’
Rachel Drake is stepping up to take a swing at her first 100-miler. She’s been on the rise for the last couple of years but had her big breakthrough this year, winning Black Canyons 100K. That’s another very fast course, so it will be interesting to see how she goes stepping up to 100 miles.
4th- Ida ‘The Flying Swede’ Nillson:
She has been taking souls in the ultra trail world since 2016, but 2022 saw somewhat of a mini-revival. She took second place in the Long Trail at the Trail World Championships. Last year, she was fifth at the Black Canyon 100k before booking her Western States ticket by winning the Canyons 100k. Last year, she finished 7th at the big dance.
In comparison, she’s been quiet on the race scene this year, apart from an impressive second at Transvulcania behind Ruth Croft. I don’t think she has the wheels to race this from the front, but she will be there to pounce as people fade in the final 1/3 of the race.
5th- Ragna ‘Lothbrook’ Debats:
Ragna Debats set the Western States masters record in 2021 when she ran 17:41:13, aged 42, finishing 3rd overall. She’s got a cubic sh💩t tonne of experience and knows how to perform in big races, (🥇Istria 100, 🥇Transgrancanira, 🥇CCC, 🥇Marathon Des Sables).
I think she will run close to her 2021 time, and if it’s a super hot year, I can see her on the podium as less experienced campaigners struggle to manage the heat.
You can read iRunFar’s preview here.
Things You May Have Missed
Last week, I missed the Bridge to Bridge Ultramarathon. Results are available here. Tom Kissell ripped the 60km a new one, finishing in a time of 4:19:29🔥
Wellington’s latest Ultra Marathon took place on Sunday … when the lead bike decided that the top 3 runners in the Wellington Marathon looked too fresh, forcing them to run another 2.4km. Whoops. Ah, well, everyone has a bad day, right🤣?
SK News Desk
💪SK Valleys Alex Lark & Alex Amos 22h58m
They say the season is never over … it’s just whether you want to freeze your balls/ and or flaps off in the process.
This weekend, Alex Lark pulled the old “Have you ever gone for a run in the Tararua? It’s fun” trick and introduced Alex Amos to the glory that is the Tararua.
Here’s Alex Lark’s post scraped straight from Wellington Big Sunday Run Facebook.
“Took my mate Alexey Amos to loose his virginity in Tararuas with the shortest day/longest night (well almost 😜)”
“With Ruamahanga running at 4 cumecs was just enough to get your tender parts wet couple off times 🥶 thanks to intel members of this group finding the track after Cleft Creek was easy as.”
“Trails are slow and muddy but still pretty mesmerising! Small hiccup at Cows creek hut to realise of lost phone with a non regretful jog back to the saddle to find out it lying near the trail. I guess Tararuas just being a bit cheeky …”
“Last glimpse of daylight near Atiwhakatu Hut and fast section to Totara only to be slowed by Alexey’s knee giving up, but not the spirit.”
“The heard so many time mottos: “Never give up”, “No sleep till Kaitoke”, “The season never is over”, “Carpark of glory”…they kept us pushing even if it was a slow walk out. Doesn’t really matter as long as we made it under 24 and definitely topped the category “Two Russians on a shortest day/longest night”
Well done, lads; I feel chilled to the bone just thinking about it.
If you want to know more about the SK, follow this link.
#Mountain Skag Pic Of The Week
Ok, not your classic ridgeline #mountainskag entry from Jenny Rankin this week.
But you’ve got to be in to win right? This was the only entry I could find this week. Remember to email, DM or tag @trailrunning.nz or #mountainskag to enter.
Doing it for the Viiiiiiews!
Tag @trailrunning.nz (NOTE THE “.”) and use #mountainskag, DM on Instagram, or email trailrunningnz@gmail.com to enter.
Every entry has a chance to win the monthly giveaway of a Mountain Skag T-shirt or hat.
We will be back next week with the KMBU Results & Western States.
It takes hours to write this newsletter but only 8 seconds to forward it to a friend.
PS. Let me know in the comments who you think is going to qualify at KMBU this weekend
Haha yea I probably should have made that more obvious - I think a lot of people had that view over the last few weeks!
My photo was tongue in cheek 😂