It’s a bit of old news, but worth catching up with here … Marist alum, good friend and blog follower from afar Bob Sweeney (he now lives out near Boulder in Louisville, Colo.) had his best race since moving out West at last month’s Mt. Evans Ascent in Idaho Springs, Colo.
According to the race Web site, it is billed as “America’s Highest Road Race.” And really … who is to argue this claim when you consider the fact that the race STARTS at the lung-searing elevation of 10,600 feet … and then proceeds to go up … up … up for the next 14.5 miles, finishing at 14,264 feet. Here’s how the race’s Web site describes it:
Although the air will be noticeably thin at the starting line, Echo Lake's 10,600 feet of elevation is just the beginning. The climb totals nearly 4,000 vertical feet - much of it above treeline - as you make your way 14.5 miles to the finish line located at the summit of one of the most recognizable peaks on Denver's mountain skyline - 14,264 foot Mt. Evans.
Bob blitzed the race, completing the course in 1:52:58 – a 7:48 pace – and good for second overall. A young hotshot nearly 20 years his junior drilled the course in 1:41:21 (7:00 pace!).
Bob’s in great shape as he continues consistent training for ultra challenges in the future. For those that do not know Bob or know OF Bob (I have spoken about him frequently to the current team, none of whom has met him), he was and is a talented, tough and very fast marathon and ultra-marathon runner. I could continue to brag about his amazing endurance performances here, but that would probably annoy him, so I won’t.
Congrats to Bob! Thanks for keeping us updated on his exploits. I recently did some hiking at 9,000 feet and can't even envision what running uphill for 14 miles from 10,000 to over 14,000 feet must be like.
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