[Author’s Note: This is the second article in an 11-part series celebrating legendary aid stations. You can read about the series here.]
After a protracted day of working over jagged mountains and heat-soaked canyons, runners on the Western States 100 arrive on the Rucky Chucky river crossing of the American River, mile 78 of the race. It is likely one of the most iconic locations in ultrarunning, and every year, it supplies runners with an expertise they gained’t neglect.
Ladies’s champion Ruth Croft on the Rucky Chucky river crossing at mile 78 of the 2022 Western States 100. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The river crossing is split into three sections spanning roughly 50 meters of the course. On the “close to aspect,” the place runners arrive first, is a full-service assist station hosted by volunteers from California’s Tamalpa Runners membership. On the “far aspect,” there isn’t any assist station, however a drop bag service is supplied for runners wishing to alter into dry footwear and kit after getting moist on the river. In between the close to aspect and the far aspect is the river crossing itself, operated by volunteers within the water, specialists in boats on the river, and extra volunteers serving to runners get into and out of the river on all sides. At night time, with lights above and beneath the water, the realm appears to be like like one thing from the movie “Apocalypse Now.” Briefly, it’s a rare enterprise.
Through the 2021 Western States 100, Cody Lind is refueled by his crew within the assist station earlier than the Rucky Chucky river crossing at mile 78. Picture: iRunFar/Alex Potter
The American River’s move varies extensively, so how runners cross every year is dependent upon the river’s water degree. Some years, runners cross on foot whereas holding a rope stretched throughout the river, whereas different years, rafts transport them throughout. In the complete 50-year historical past of the race, boats have been used 12 occasions, whereas the remainder of the time runners have forded on foot. In my 10 years of working the race, I took the boats 4 occasions and crossed on foot six occasions. My choice was most definitely to cross on foot relatively than in a ship, because it allowed me to completely submerge within the life-giving waters of the American River and take in myself within the full expertise of the race.
The Rucky Chucky river crossing through the 2023 Western States 100, a yr when boats have been used to cross the river. Picture: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Moreover, runners, pacers, and crews have selections relating to the river crossing. Crews and pacers can entry the close to aspect assist station by way of a automobile shuttle service operated by the occasion. On the far aspect, nonetheless, if crews need to entry their runners, they hike about three miles down the course from the parking space simply above the Inexperienced Gate Support Station at mile 80 of the race.
Whereas the hike will be arduous, particularly at night time, accessing their runner from the far aspect permits crews to reap the benefits of one of many distinctive features of the Western States 100. The race permits crews to accompany their runner, together with their pacer, for the complete two-mile stretch between the river crossing and the Inexperienced Gate Support Station.
For spectators desirous to expertise one of the distinctive features of the Western States 100, a visit right down to the Rucky Chucky river crossing on race day is a should. And, for the runners themselves, particularly those that have waited years to realize entry into the race, the singular expertise of Rucky Chucky will probably stand the take a look at of time as one of many seminal experiences of their working lives. I do know it has for me.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Moonraker Brewing Firm in Auburn, California. Vespers 9 is a scrumptious milk stout that’s candy and silky with a contact of caramel. By no means bitter, Vespers 9 is a stout to be savored and greatest consumed by itself. It’s an ideal stout for a cold winter night.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever been to the Rucky Chucky assist station as crew, spectator, or runner?
- What are your recollections of it?
