Ouray 100 Race Report

 Wow. What an "#OurayExperience." I'm still a bit speechless but I hope I can share with all what I went through at the Ouray 100 this past weekend in this report.

Maria and me at the "Switzerland of America" Look Out Point

Pre Ouray:

Okay here we go... well sorta. Let's back up first. I first knew about this race when a fellow ultrarunning friend, Avery Collins ran it back in 2016 and had his documentary made on Amazon Prime. It had been on my radar for five years and I knew I would want to run it one day. Then in 2019, I was approached by The North Face Japan to help crew/pace their sponsored athlete, Hiroki Shimura the back 50+ Miles. We made a documentary of Hiroki's race and that is now on Youtube as well as the Ouray 100 website (definitely a must watch). After being on course in 2019, I knew I would want to run in 2020, but you know what happened... COVID-19. 2020 was a bust to run the race so I had to wait until this year, 2021.

Leading up to the 2021 Ouray 100, I did not have a single race lined up to help me prepare for the race itself. I definitely wanted to get in quality training but from January-April I was working quite a bit at my daytime job, Quiero Arepas. I hardly trained during this period and just trained sporadically. It wasn't until May that I was like, "I need to train." So I looked at Ultrasignup and found a race in June to run as prep for Ouray.

I found Mace's Hideout 100 Miler and it was perfect for my training. A low key, first year 100 mile race in early June, in the Wet Mountains, outside of Beulah, Colorado put on by excellent RDs, Chris Westerman. I saw the start list and noticed my friends, Alex Biesle and Laura Kaplan running it, so I signed up for the race a month prior and kicked off my training on May 1st.

Fast forward, I won Mace's Hideout 100 and it was a wonderful run that would help the training block for Ouray. Mace's Hideout was a spectacular race and I highly recommend checking it out in the future.

Training had gone very smoothly. I recovered from Mace's and then kept the ball rolling into July. I was careful not to overtrain or not take care of my body. Leading up to Ouray two weeks priors to my taper, my peak week, I ran 124 miles and 33,000 Feet of Vert. I also set some new PRs on the second flatiron in the process which gave me good indications I was fit and ready to race.

Ouray:

My parents flew in from Washington State to help crew me with my amazing girlfriend, Maria. My folks have crewed me one time prior and it was at the 2017 inaugural High Lonesome 100 which I had won as well. My parents know what to expect at these events... Maria on the other hand does not. She never knew these events even existed, but once she entered my life, she would instantly learn the sport from me and this was going to be the first time seeing me in action and supporting me in person. 

We all drove down to Ouray on Thursday morning and arrived just before our Chalet Inn check-in. We went to the first crew-able aid station at Ironton (miles 27.3, 35.4, and 43.6) to show them where'd they go the next day during the race. After driving on the beautiful Million Dollar Hwy, we went back to the hotel to change and get ready to go to the runner's check in at Fellin Park which is also a multiple aid station spot on course (miles 74.5, 84.8, 91.5) and the start/finish line at mile 0.0 & 102.1. 

Check in was quick and easy, I threw together three drop bags (Fellin, Ironton, and Crystal Lake). I got my bib number: 100 and my swag goodie bag and then bounced to get some of the best thai food in town. Seriously, I've been to the thai place like 2x prior (in 2019 with the TNF Japan team) and knew it would be clutch.

Afterwards, I got everything ready for the race, i.e my race gear, shoes, socks, etc. I ended up watching some Olympics to wind down and then passed out around 10pm.

Laying out all the gear.

The Ouray 100: 

Pre Race Portrait

Race morning, I awoke a few times in the middle of the night prior to my 6:00AM alarm...I woke up in the middle of the night cause of some noises outside the room. Thankfully, I did fall back asleep for a couple more hours. 

I ate my breakfast and then got dressed. Time flies the last couple hours before the race and suddenly it was time to head to the start. We all headed down to Fellin Park. Took some last minute pre race photos, talked to some other runners and caught up with my old high school XC teammate Will Jones who I knew was starting the race as well.

10 minutes to the start, Race Directors, Charles and Chris had some last minute pre race talk before sending us off on our adventure. Time to line up... Here we go. I squatted and held my hands in prayer. I was ready but antsy. "It's time to rage and burn the whole house down"

Praying for a good, fun adventure.

3...2...1... GO! Myself and the other ~99 other runners are off on the grand adventure. I'm already leading with two other guys. Both of them introduced themselves, but I only remember one at the moment and it was Kilian. Can't forget a name like that... (Sorry to the other guy, its been a long race). Anyways, even before we got to the Perimeter Trail up to Camp Bird Road I broke away from everyone and was leading the race. GO BIG OR GO HOME. 

Photo of me in first at the top of the bridge on the Perimeter Trail.
PC: Leanardo Brasil 

So I ran solo all the way to the first aid without much hiccup besides my tracker not working as for a few people behind me. I think it was Chris Twiggs (15x Hardrock finisher) who helped try to fix my tracker as well as the other folks behind me. So I slowed down while he did this and I look back to see Peter Mortimer coming up. Finally, someone I knew on Ultrasignup who was going to challenge me. 

I got to the first aid station at Lower Camp Bird, mile 5.5 and ~2400 feet climbed pretty quick. Saw some friends here and was out quickly as I knew Peter was on my heels. Now it was time to head up to Silver Basin for a quick hole punch before returning down to the aid. This trip would be 6 miles and ~2000 more feet. Stunning scenery around me as I made my way up. Power hiking and never really exerting myself as it was very early. 

I tagged Silver Basin and took some photos before heading back down. I saw Peter and then the rest of the field. I cheered and whooped for everyone I saw. It was a blast. Before getting back to Lower Camp Bird, Peter caught me on the descent. He and I introduced ourselves to one an other and chatted a bit before we got to the aid. He broke one of his poles and was going to have to fix them. when he got back down.

Silver Basin 

Wildflower galore!

We both arrived at the aid station and I immediately rushed to get things refilled and ready for the next section. From here, the journey was up to Richmond a quick 2 mile trip and then a 7.8 mile trip to Chicago Tunnel and Fort Peabody (high point of the course at 13K) for quick hole punches before return to Richmond Aid Station. 

Epic Views and climbs up ahead.

These climbs are no joke. Just in the ~9.8 miles to Richmond and Chicago Tunnel and Fort Peabody you gain a total of ~4700 feet. I was amped up on the scenery. Its just stunning seeing all the peaks and being so high and next to the clouds.

I tagged Chicago Tunnel and then turned around to see Peter coming. Bombed down and then made my slog up to the Fort. So many ATVs and Jeeps driving up... I laughed and joked to myself when I knew half these folks were tourists and I was out here just running/hiking up these passes like some crazy person.

Hole Punch @ Chicago Tunnel

The climb up to Fort Peabody was riddled with scaley rocks and loose terrain but eventually I made it and took in the view. Tourists were asking what was going on and I'd tell them. They'd respond back, "You guys are crazy." I laughed and would then bomb back down the trail like a mountain goat and they'd be in awe. Again, I saw the rest of the field slowly trickling up. I had put some time and gapped them back to Richmond. I saw my friends, Howie and Sierra and wished them well before heading out for Ironton.

Headed up Fort Peabody

Fort Peabody Tag

Views heading down the trail with second place coming up.

I topped off the bottles and from Richmond, I'd go up and over Richmond Pass, a 1700 foot climb and then a huge descent of ~3400 feet to get to Ironton Aid Station about 6 miles away. The views again were breathtaking and I took some videos up here as I was in flow state and in awe.

I got to Ironton on time and pace when I told my crew I'd be there at mile 27.3. Yay, the first marathon and the warm up was done. Life truly begins after 26.2... I saw my dad first as he was taking pictures and then I got into the aid station and my mom and Maria as well as everyone's crew were there. 

Rehydrating and eating at Ironton

Maria and Me. <3

They sat me down, I changed socks, ate and talked briefly before heading out for the lovely Corkscrew and Gray Cooper section of the beautiful Red Mountains. It's an 8.1 mile section with ~2800 feet of gain and loss. It was great the first trip around, clear skies but I knew weather was going to be coming in.

Coming back from the first loop of Ironton.

I remember scouting this section with Hiroki in 2019. Just take it easy and soak in the views of Red Mountains #1, 2 and 3 in the way up. Anyways, I made kinda quick work with the first counterclockwise loop and got back to Ironton with ease at mile 35.4. Next, was to flip it around and reverse it. Refueled by my awesome crew and volunteers, I headed back but just the clockwise way. I saw Peter and then the third place guy, Ben about 10-15 minutes after I left the aid. 

I started my way back up the backside of Gray Cooper when crackles started. Rain was starting to come down. I didn't bring my rain coat, but I knew I had my poncho and emergency blanket if needed. Well, I definitely needed the poncho. It started to downpour heavily as I was climbing and lightning and thunder were crashing oh so close. I could feel the vibrations and static in the air. I was stoked! Adversity only builds ones character.

Returning to Ironton #2. Thunderstorms were crazy up on Corkscrew and Gray Cooper.
Thankful for the poncho.

I made my way back up and over and saw the rest of the field starting their trips over the counterclockwise direction. It got downright nutty on the jeep roads heading down corkscrew. Flash flooding had wrecked the jeep roads and landslides were happening. ATVs and some Jeeps got stuck on the way down as I was running. It was so wet that the jeep road would crumble and become a gravel sinkhole. I got sucked in and was knee deep in sludge gravel. This definitely slowed a lot of folks down and I knew I could take advantage. I made it back to Ironton at mile 43.6 with both shoes/socks filled with rubble. It was comical when I dumped my shoes how filled they were. I am so thankful to my parents Maria and  Chris Westerman who helped clean my shoes as I changed my socks and ate while getting small updates about where Peter and Ben were. I was unfazed. I definitely took my time here as the next section was to head back up and over Richmond Pass to the halfway point at Weehawken.

Chris Westerman giving me advice and helping me in the aid station.

Peter Vercio helping out at the aid station.

Maria and my mom keeping me amped up. :)

Heading out of Ironton, I said goodbye to my parents and Maria as I wouldn't see them until the next morning at Fellin Park since they weren't going to head to the next crew spot at Crystal Lake at 3AM.

Heading out and back up and over Richmond Pass

I went up back up Richmond Pass, and the previous thunderstorm started to slow a bit. I used this time to climb up the 3000ft pass as quickly as possible. As I was moseying uphill, there was one runner still coming down from the pass. He gave me some thumbs up and some positive energy. There was a little fog rolling in so I moved as quick as possible over and then down to the Richmond Aid at mile 49.6, where course record holder Chris Price and his family were helping out. I refilled my bottles and talked to Chris briefly about his record.

At this point I was approximately 2 hours up on the record at this point, but knew the back half of the race was going to be a long one. I tried to keep as chill as possible. Now I just had to hold on tight. From Richmond Aid station, I headed down the 4.2 miles of Camp Bird Rd to the Weehawken Aid at mile 53.7. It was pretty uneventful in this sections as its all downhill to the aid. Besides seeing Chris Marcinek's truck and him telling me I was looking amazing. I saw some deer in the bushes but then made it to the aid in good time.

At Weehawken, I did have to use the bathroom. Luckily they have a porta potty and I took a massive dump. Got some warm food and stocked up for the 5.1 mile section up to the Alpine Mine Overlook. This was where I started to pace Hiroki in 2019, so I knew this section very well.

I sped up the trail as fast as I could but the trail was very overgrown and sopping wet from the earlier rain. I made it to the top of the mine and hole punched and could see the town all lit up. It was stunning and then I turned around as to not waste more time. On the way down, I saw Peter and his pacer. They were very close. Then before finally arriving back at the bottom of Weehawken, I ran into Kilian and his pacer.

Alpine Loop Hole punch

After getting back to the aid at mile 58.8, I didn't want to stay long knowing the chase group was hot on my heels. I said my goodbyes to the volunteers and was off to Crystal Lake Aid at mile 65.9. The fun thing about this next section was in the next 7.1 miles, I'd enjoy climbing the ~3600 foot Hayden Pass and descending ~2800 feet to the aid to get a fresh pair of sock I left in my drop bag.

I pushed hard maybe too hard in the section knowing I was being chased and I got a little nauseous and started to not be able to stomach any food. On the way down, I started to puke. "More adversity builds the character". I got down the aid and was very happy to see another friend and owner of Feed Your Crazy, Bard Parnell. I tried to stomach food, but it was just coming back up as soon as I put it down. I then stayed in the aid a bit to warm up and try to eat and was looking forward to changing my socks. BUT this is where again things in 100 mile race don't ever go according to plan. The aid station didn't have my Crystal Lake drop bag. They mistakenly loaded it to another area... In my head, I'm like "are you serious?! Where is it? What did you guys do? It was clearly labeled with 3 Tags and my bib." But Instead I just calmly just reassessed the situation and asked Bard or any volunteer if they had a pair of injinji socks I could borrow since my drop bag was botched. Thankfully Bard had a pair of socks to lend even though they were the road type of Injinji socks. I wasn't going to complain that they weren't the trail Injinji one, it just helped to have a fresh pair of socks after all the overgrown trails and water from Hayden Pass go me soaked. 

I got some food down and changed the socks I was given and then headed back up and over Hayden Pass back to Fellin Park for the final three gnarly climbs. During this time, I was wondering how Peter and Kilian were doingHad they gotten up the pass yet or were they on their way down.

I got out of the chair and hobbled out of the aid station. I was hoping some of the food I ate at the aid would stay down on my power hike up the backside of Hayden with some deep breathing and mindful thoughts.

Just as I was getting to the top of the pass, I see Peter and his pacer. He didn't look great in this section. Probably from the way he was coming really took a toll on him so, I was glad I put some time on him here. Then as I was going down the other side and my way back to Fellin Park, I see Kilian and his pacer making the slow grind up the mountain. The downhill was pretty slow, but i tried to miove fast and light on its tight switchbacks which were very overgrown, wet and a bit technical with debris and downed trees you had to climb over.

I made it down to Camp Bird Road and was feeling amazing. I looked at my watch and it was around 4:30AM. I was way ahead of my pace. So I tried to call and text Maria and my mom to have them come to the park.

I believe I got to the Fellin Park around 5AM which marked that I had run 74.5 miles of Ouray and had the three final climbs before the finish. When I arrived, the volunteers weren't set up yet. Luckily they had Chris go speed to Charles' house for my drop bag. I took my time trying to stomach some more food while they set up. I once again changed socks and then was out after topping the bottles off.

5AM back at Fellin Park. Getting some noodles down.

I would have a few more miles in the dark before the sunrise. I was on Twin Peaks to Silvershield and back to the park section now. This first part of climbing to to Twin Peaks involves an extremely steep climb takes runners to an intersection. I had to do an out-and-back, tagging the first peak which involved a scramble to the top to get another hole punch. Doing this all while the sun was rising gave me a second wind even though my legs were pretty tired and the steep grade made coming back down a challenge/. I then headed back to the intersection and ran past some dinosaur prints that have been left on the rocks. It was really cool seeing them all filled up with water all before descending to Silvershield Aid a few miles below at mile 80.6. At this point I had ~31,652 Vertical Feet on my legs and was feeling it.

I was very surprised to then see my parents and Maria here. I forgot it was a crew access spot. They forced some food in me and my stomach was starting to feel better. I didn't want to stay to long knowing I was still being hunted, but before I left, I then gave a quick video for one of the volunteers, Peter Vercio who wanted to update Ranyo-San (who was TNF Japan's Team Manager). Heading back up Silvershield is also awful. I didn't see Pete so I assumed something happened. I saw Kilian now in Second and when I was heading down to the park, I saw Third Male Kent and First Female, Alyssa and their pacers.

I got back to Fellin (Mile 84.8) around 9AM (25 hours into the race which was really solid. I was feeling alright but definitely the fatigue was starting to creep in. I knew I had to keep moving. I got my electrolytes refiled and ate some fruit. I was ready to tackle the penultimate climb up to the Chief Ouray Mine. The 6.7 mile round trip would have a lovely 3,400 foot climb and descent before coming back down to the Start/Finish. Yay for having ~37,019 feet of vert on the legs.

I headed out of the park by the hot springs and playground and started my climb up to Lower Cascade Falls.  The trail resumes a low-grade climb and gets moderately more technical. The grade increases as I had to work my way up switchbacks. Although not as bad as the ball bearings on Hayden Trail, the Chief Ouray Trail definitely has some challenging footing in the form of loose rocks and dirt that tend to give way with much force. The rain from the previous day and also having to dodge other trail users and their families that were day hiking made the trail very challenging as it was very loose and crowded and slow going. But I eventually made it to the Chief Ouray Mine and got my hole punch.

Outside the Chief Ouray Mine

I then turned around and started my return. I was pushing it very hard knowing I just had ONE LAST CLIMB and then I'd be done. My quads were sore but I kept pushing them to the max cause I wanted to see where the everyone was at. I knew if I could get back to the trailhead before I saw anybody, I'd win this race. I got to the intersection of the trailhead and the Lower Falls when I saw Kilian again followed by Kent a few minutes later. I had about an and half on them.

I made it down to the park to cheers and hollers at 27 hours and 48 mins. I knew the record was out of door but I still wanted to see how hard I could run and be in time wise... I was smelling the barn... I had run 91.5 miles of Ouray done and I had only ONE FINAL CLIMB. I refueled and was out quick. 

Here we go, BRIDGE OF HEAVEN. A 10.6 miles and ~4844 feet gain and loss and I'd be done and the winner. I knew some afternoon storms were coming but I thought I'd use that to my motivation of getting up and down as fast as possible. So I headed up the Old Horsethief Trail without any rain gear and was as minimal yet had the fuel I needed. I was climbing steadily and weaving up the trail. I was thinking about the whole day previous and how I was so grateful for this moment and how thankful I was running well for my folks, my loving girlfriend, Maria watching me for the first time and all my family, friends and sponsors that were supporting me from afar. It was so close. Just one more hole punch at the top and then I'd bomb down the trail to the finish. 

Just as I reached the ridge, here it came... The second biblical thunderstorm of the race. I had 1.2 miles more before the top... I got pelted as I climbed in and out of the trees. I was soaked instantly and the flash flooding of the Old Horsethief Trail started to have mudslides and a heavy flowing stream coming down the trail. I said my mantras and charged as fast as I could. My body was becoming more hypothermic and cold as time passed. My hands were frozen and I was starting to shiver and teeth clatter within minutes. I still charged forward and finally turned the final switchback corner to see the Bridge of Heaven hole punch on the trail marker. My hands were so frozen I barely could squeeze the hole punch as it was also frozen and wouldn't punch through my paper. I got the outline of the hole punch on my bib and called it solid. I was freezing and the rain was still pounding me. I turned around bombed as fast as I could down the wet trail. Teeth clattering, my motor skills were starting to lose function. I went kinda numb in my hand and my legs. I almost tripped a few times on the descent cause of how cold I was and how quickly the trail became so slick. Luckily I would save myself with the trekking poles. I then got back to where switchbacks and some private dirt roads intersect before I saw Kent and Kilian coming up. I had 2.5 miles left and they would have about 8.5 miles left.

I had the race SECURED! I was at ease mentally, but still racing the clock. I looked at my watch and it was at 31 hours and 25 minutes... I wanted to keep the run under 32 Hours. I pushed it very hard all the way down to the road. I didn't feel pain anymore as I was smiling and felt the joy of what almost being done would feel like. I ran every inch of the road back to the hot Springs and made my final turn into the Park's Finish Line.

Two Orange Cones are lined up in the middle right side of the park. I am running hard. I start yipping and hollering...The other crews, the other park folks, Maria and my parents are cheering! "Go! Go! Go!"

I then hold my hand up with the #1 sign. I cross the finish line. WINNER!

31 Hours and 52 Minutes! 3rd Fastest Time! 

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! 🔥

My watch got 101.46 Miles and 39,131 feet of climbing*. *(Actual according to Ouray website states around 41,862 feet of gain). 

I then received my belt buckle and my $1000 prize money from Chris and Charles and got some finish line photos with them and my crew. What a rush! I had just won one of the hardest 100 milers in the US and the World. The Ouray 100 ranks #9 on Outside Magazine's Top 10 Toughest Ultras in the world.

Thanks for reading this long race report. I hope it showed you the highs and lows and epic adventure I had out in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. 

Before I wrap things up, I want to give thanks to all the volunteers out there helping us in the crazy weather and race. Without you, I wouldn't have been successful. Big THANK YOUs to volunteers, Chris Westerman, Peter Vercio, Bard Parnell for really helping me out at crucial aid stations. Thank you to Race Directors, Chris Marcinek and Charles Johnston for creating this wild and burly demonic course. 

I also would like to thank the very few sponsors that support me. I am a regular guy with a daytime job at Quiero Arepas and these sponsors help me and motivate me to perform my best. Thank you to Honey Stinger, PurePower Botanicals, ReNew Earth Running, and Woke Running (my personal running club). If you're a company that would love to sponsor me, please reach out to me via email: Anthony.C.Lee94@gmail.com 

Lastly, I couldn't have done this without my incredible crew, which were my parents, Karen and Sunny and my amazing girlfriend, Maria. They motivated, changed my socks, fed me and kept me moving all day, night and the next day. I'm so thankful to them supporting me and witnessing my lovely adventure.

Thank you to everyone else I missed and big thanks to other family members, friends and fellow runners for your cheers both in person, around the globe and virtually. You guys rock! I felt all the good vibes.

Post Race portrait

Throwing up post race.

Photo with RDs, Chris and Charles with my shiny new buckle

Men's Podium... Kent (2nd), Me (!st), Kilian (3rd)
(Left to Right)

Stats for the race:

Miles run: 101.46 via my Suunto 9 Baro

Vertical Gain: 39,131 Feet* 

Honey Stinger Waffles Waten: 35 waffles

Quesadillas Eaten: 8 Quesadillas

Mashed Potatoes Eaten: 7 Cups worth

Skratch/ Electrolyte drank: 15 500ml bottles

Water Drank: 15 500 ml bottles

Gear Used:

Shoes: Topo MTN Racer 2

Socks: 4 pairs of Injinji toe socks

Lube: Squirrels Nut Butter

Shorts: rabbit Shredder 5"

Poles: Leki Trail Vario 

Shirt: Rocky Mountain Runners Tee

Pack: Arch Max 8L Pack

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=80212

100 Miler: 34 finishers / 94 starters = 36% finish rate