The Jackpot Ultra Running Festival from February 16 to 18 this year was presented in Las Vegas, USA at Cornerstone Park, a recreational facility with several miles of paved, gravel and packed dirt running track. Ken and Stephanie Rubeli have created a ‘must do’ event with Jackpot, comprising of a variety of distances and times such as 6hr, 12hr, 24hr and 48hr races, plus a marathon, 50 miler and 100 miler.
For 2018, the 100 miler was the USATF National Championship, and as such drew a stellar field. Won in under 14 hours, the course suits all abilities thanks to a 30-hour time limit.
My favourite event, the 48hr, started on the Friday morning with a field of 66 runners, including such luminaries as former world champion and multiple winner of Western States 100, Ann Trason.
We ran a certified 2.5-mile horseshoe course with about 60’ elevation gain per loop. The gradual climbs were gentle and seemed of little significance until much later the following day. There was about a 20’ shortcut trail with uneven footing and some loose rocks, whose only virtue was its proximity to the timing mat, thus a good sign on the endless loop.
Fellow Australian Cheryl Symons eventually came into my view. We exchanged a few pleasantries, and for the next 48-hours I followed her progress with much interest and growing excitement as she challenged the course, eventually winning with 195-miles, a new course record.
Trason spent countless hours hiking with friends old and new, all eager to spend time with her. A hiker now, she graciously listened to trail stories, answered questions, and accepted the admiring comments of her retinue! We had a couple of loops to share some insights, and to question our sanity as the second evening rolled around.
This wasn’t my first rodeo, but lessons still remained to be learned. I took a short break in the afternoon as the temperatures climbed into the 70s, and then tackled my 50 miler in earnest. As evening fell, the birds called, swooped, fed, argued, and then slept. A sliver of moon was seen along with the lights of the surrounding Henderson streets, reflected in the lake.
I started to curse the short uneven trail section, as it seemed to drift further back from the timing mat. Along with a warped sense of distance, my internal lap counter led me to believe I had reached 45 miles, when in fact it was just 42.5 miles. That meant three more interminable laps until 50 miles and a welcome break in my warm sleeping bag in the back of the truck.
By 2am, all was well. With 50 miles done, the shoes and socks were off, I had a quick wipe down with a towel, and a blessed a three-hour break. My feet looked great, no blisters or toenail issues at all. A previously troublesome knee was doing great, thanks to medical science and an intra-joint steroid shot. I thought I hadn’t slept at all, but was woken with a fright as my loud alarm sounded at 5am.
A few more miles, and by 8am I had accumulated 57 miles, right on target. Fun now to see the next 175 runners start their 6hr, 12hr, 24hr, marathon, 50 miler and 100 miler races. So young, so fast, so clean, so cheerful. Knowing looks amongst the old timers were shared all around.
The aid station crew kept up a steady supply of drinks, snacks and hot food. The rest room block was nearby and a warming tent was provided for short breaks. Music and movies provided entertainment for crews, and interest as we passed the aid station yet again.
The day went according to plan. I was mainly walking, but kept a steady pace with each lap taking about 55 minutes if I moved quickly past my truck and the aid station. By nightfall, I was starting to calculate my 100-mile time, and amount of rest I could afford. At 85 miles, fatigue was real. The temptation to take just one hour was almost irresistible, but I realised that taking a five-minute break by the warming fire after each lap was almost as effective.
At this time, the kindness of other runners was my salvation.
Only once did my stomach fail me, but CJ, a runner’s crew member, gave me some applesauce and a concoction of fresh fruit, chia seeds and raspberry puree which put me back on the right pace.
Participant Jill Hudson was a few laps ahead of me, but walked three of my last four laps with me, and together we celebrated my 100 miles at 2am, just as I had calculated.
That warm sleeping bag never looked so good! I woke up as dawn broke, and knew I had a few more miles left in me. The early morning light, awakening birdlife, cheerful runners, hot coffee and food reinforced my decision to start out again. All too soon, with 30 minutes left on the clock, I pushed the pace for partial credit on the last lap, sprinting the last half mile to the 1.5-mile marker.
I was done. I’d completed 104 miles, and felt thankful for such a great race experience yet again.
Awards done, old friends and new enjoyed congratulating course record setters, winners and each other. Serious bling was given at the event, in keeping with Vegas glitter. The Jackpot is a great event for beginners and experienced ultra runners, offering such a choice of times and distances. Finishers’ award medals and belt buckles are unique, the t-shirts are well designed and of excellent quality, and the swag bag is generous. I cannot recommend Jackpot more highly.
Pictured: Marie and Cheryl Symons celebrating their 100 mile buckles and Cheryl’s new course record of 195 miles.
