Stage 5 Results

Nicholas and Stephen finished Stage 5 in 5:46:33.7
Overall Position 15

Stage 5 was 24.2 Miles and 4100 feet climbing,
Red Cliff to Vail

From Transrockies Run Website
--------------------------------------

Another hot day in the mountains

. . .

Stage 5 is considered to be the “Queen Stage” of the GORE-TEX™ TransRockies Run and it takes runners high over Vail Mountain from the famous back bowls, across the China Wall and down a nearly 3000 vertical foot descent to the finish line at Golden Peak. After a hectic Stage 4 which saw Team Run Flagstaff retake first place and Team Bend’s Ryan Bak spill and bloody his ribs, Stage 5 promised to be another tough battle across the top of the Rockies with two significant passes and lots of singletrack along the way.

. . .

On this long day, there were few changes in the overall standings as survival became more of a priority than competition. With the finish just one day away, risks were forsaken for smart, safe race strategy. After three nights sleeping at over 9500 feet above sea level, even the air at Vail’s 8000’ elevation feels richer and thicker. That, warmer temperatures and a BBQ feast from Gourmet Cowboy catering should allow runners to get a final good night’s sleep in preparation for Stage Six and the run to the finish line in Beaver Creek.

In 2011, the TransRockies Run saves some real sting for the last day of the race with a 23.6 mile route to Beaver Creek which includes 5000 feet of climbing three major climbs and numerous smaller ones as the runners make their way down the steep-sided valley to the finish line at Beaver Creek. After five straight clear, hot days, many runners would welcome the break from the heat that some overnight rain seems to promise. One more very touch stage remains before the remaining TransRockies Runner get to call themselves “finishers”.

Read the full story at Transrockies Run.