Devil Mtn Question

[Chris Liverett]

I saw this question today about the Devil Mtn Run...
http://www.runnersworld.com/community/forums/runner-communities/trail-running/devil-mountain-ultra-50m50k-pagosa-springs-co


Someone may enjoy answering it??

Chris Liverett

[Ed & Gail Furtaw]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for forwarding this. I am not a member of the Runners World
forum, but my response to the question is given below. Would you
please forward my comments to the Runners World forum?

Thanks and best regards,
Ed
++++++++++

Hello, I am Ed Furtaw and I am the Devil Mountain Ultra course
designer (but not the event director). Therefore, my opinions are
definitely biased in favor of the course, but I will try to give an
accurate overview. Individuals may contact me directly by e-mail at <efu...@skywerx.com
>.

The 50K consists of a big loop. The 50-mile consists of most of the
same loop, plus an out-and-back from/to the middle of the loop. Both
race courses are entirely within, and under permit from, the San Juan
National Forest. The courses are a combination of Forest Service dirt
roads and trails. Some of the trails are open to ATVs, and some are
non-motorized single-track trails. Many of the trails are quite
remote and not heavily used. Therefore, some of the surfaces are not
well-groomed. There are some places that are rocky, rooty, and
technical. There is a lot of elevation change, with 5,000+ feet of
gain (and equal descent) in the 50K and 8,000+ feet each of gain and
descent in the 50-miler. Course elevations range from about 7,000
feet to 9,950 feet above sea level. So these are definitely tough
trail courses. To prove this point, consider last year's results. In
the 50-mile, there were only six finishers of eleven starters, and the
winning time was 11:58:15, by a woman. The winning male was 44
seconds behind! The 50K winning time was 5:21.

The good news is that the courses are incredibly beautiful. The
routes pass through forests of ponderosa pine, fir, spruce, and aspen
trees. The aspen leaves should be golden by the October 1 date of the
event, which will add color to the stunning beauty of the forest and
mountains. The views are spectacular, especially from near the top of
Horse Mountain, the highest point on the course. Much of the course
passes through old-growth forests that have never been logged. The
big old trees are awesome to behold, as you blow past them as if they
were standing still.

I think these courses are humbling, both because they are so difficult
and so beautiful. If you appreciate mountains and trees, you will
probably love either course. But they are some of the most rugged and
difficult in the country for their given distances.

Here are a couple of photos from some of the old-growth sections of
the course.

[Jeff & Deb Blackwell]

I have already replied! Jeff B (ALTRjeff)

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[Jeff & Deb Blackwell]

Already replied! Jeff B (ALTRjeff)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Liverett" <chrisl...@gmail.com>
To: "Pagosa Springs Running Forum"
<pagosa-springs...@googlegroups.com>