Race Report: 2016 Squaw Peak 50 Miler

The 2016 Squaw Peak 50 Mile Race ("the 4th Hardest 50 Miler in the Nation" as attributed to the race director, John Bozung) was an exhilarating and exhausting experience. The race was filled with highs and lows, both psychologically and environmentally--quite literally, the elevation gain of according to my GPS was 9945 total vertical ascent. John Bozung reports that the race consists of "dirt trails (43%), dirt roads (38%) and some paved (19%)" The festivities began at 5am sharp with a nice jog down the Provo Canyon paved trail from Vivian Patk with John Brown. After nearly 2 miles we began the first of many ascents up a well defined, somewhat technical single track to the first aid station. This first climb was described by many as "the Conga line", since it was a single file crowded line of runners hiking. This conga line didn't begin to break up until after the first aid station. The runners hit the first patch of snow around mile 13, near the Rock Canyon aid station. The climb to, and beyond the Rock Canyon Aid Station took us through some of the most scenic areas in the Wasatch, with views of the Utah Valley below. We began a decent from the Camel Pass Aid Station, taking us along a double track Jeep trail, with intermittent single track connecting dirt roads. At the 22.7 mile mark we hit blacktop once more, for 3.7 miles as we ran the Hobble Creek Road, above Springville, Utah. Near mile 26, John Bozung began giving runners Creamies ice cream along the road, which was a very welcomed treat! Blacktop is also found on the last 3.7 down to the finish. There is over 14,000+/- ft. of elevation gain and loss, with 5 major climbs varying from 1100 ft to nearly 3000 ft. The first starts at mile 2.1. A series of climbs takes you up 2700 ft. over 5 miles to an overlook of Squaw Peak.The last and most difficult climb takes you from the top of Berryport Canyon, to the high point of the course just before and above Windy Pass at about 9300 ft. The one on the south side is the trail we use on Race day by which time there should be little if any snow on this side, as you approach the high point of the course about a mile before Windy Pass . From here the course drops almost 4000 ft over the next 9+ miles back to the Finish at Vivian Park.

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