2005 Runner Comments & Testimonials

Bill Graney

Hey Coach,
I'm so glad I decided to make the trip to the Tetons. Definitely one of the great experiences of my life. Thanks so much for all your help, your coaching certainly helped me turn it up several notches. Your races are already generating some good write-ups on the Ultra-list so the word is getting around. I'm still feeling all the good vibes you, Jay and Zach generated. Hopefully that will be a permanent feeling.

Keep in touch, Bill Graney

The inaugural Teton Ultra was run this weekend. Sometime in the next couple weeks when I get time I will send a more complete report. In brief, this is going to be a great event. The RDs were well organized, fun people. The Grand Tetons, of course, are beautiful as many of you already know. The weather, however, did not cooperate and was actually adverse in the extreme with cold pouring rain, sleet, snow, slippery mud, etc. -- very difficult. Next year, however, the RDs are going to make this a mid summer event which should make for ideal trail conditions. For any of you fast types and competitive age groupers, get this run on your radar for next summer. If you enjoy setting course records on what could mature into one of the premier western mountain ultras, every course and age group record is totally ripe for the picking next year. The conditions were so adverse that next year every record will be set by a margin of hours. The bottom line is that this is definitely an event that you will want to check out. It will be a good course for competitive runners and a lot of fun with relaxed cut offs for laid back runners and first timers.

Richard Sandison M.D.

I totally agree with Rick about the Teton races. The RD's (Zach, Jay & Lisa) did an unbelieveable job putting these races (marathon, 50, 100) together in a matter of months. With a year to plan, next year's race should be something else. The weather was definitely extreme and the snow storm that hit at 3:00am was defitely not something this Californian was used to. The mud made for very slow going after the first 25 miles but everyone was in the same boat and you saw a lot of determination on the faces of the people out there.

Considering the extreme weather and the fact that the course had to be altered during the race because an aid station at the highest elevation was knocked out due to snow & wind, you'd think from an organizational perspective it would be a nightmare. But the three RD's dealt with everything that came up and from the runners perspective it was a very smooth operation. The aid station volunteers, who often had to wait hours between runners during the night, were wildly enthusiastic and helpful. The whole thing, from pre-race dinner to the finish, was a extremely well run. Again, I agree with Rick; put this one on your calendar.

Bill Graney

Thanks for putting on a great race and creating a wonderful supporting environment for the race. I had a great time despite the weather but that is the beauty of doing these races.

I'll have to third what Bill and Rick had to say. Congratulations to Bill on winning the 100 miler. He looked strong whenever I saw him.

Nattu Natraj

Hi Lisa and Jay,
I'm writing to thank you two and Zach for preparing and putting on a great event last weekend. I believe good fun was had by all!!

Greg Martell, GT 100 Finisher

Just another word of thanks for putting on the race - I had a GREAT time despite the weather!  Thank you again for all your hard work - see you next year!

Mike Melton, GT 100 Competitor

Thanks for all your fantastic efforts last Saturday and beyond!

Jamie Mackintosh, GT Trail Marathon Finisher

We had a great time. Thank you for putting the race on. We are already talking about making it an annual event for us and some of our family members.

Bryce & Suzette Thatcher (1st Place Female, GT Trail Marathon)
GT Trail Marathon Finishers

Thanks for putting on such a great race - this type of event has been long overdue in the valley!

Erik Kampe, GT 100 Finisher

This is Denise Miller; my husband was a volunteer this past weekend. Well ... you changed his life! He's back into the ultras; hasn't stopped talking "training" since he came home.

Denise Miller