![]() The race organizers started to prop up the legend of Gordy Ainsleigh and numerous news articles erroneously stated that he was the first to cover the course on foot. The 1978 entry form warned, “Do not enter unless in excellent physical condition, have run marathon distances over 26 miles, and have had a complete physical examination, preferably including a stress electrocardiogram.” The Gordy Ainsleigh myth begins Mo Sproul explained, “We did try to make our publications as top-drawer as they could be, so that we presented an organized face to the outside world, even though a lot of it was being done in my kitchen or at Shannon’s desk.” 30-hour time limit.” The entrant’s fee was $10. Course: rugged, uncertified over mountains, through streams, with snakes and bears. An experience only for ultramarathon veterans. Marketing for the Run was mostly by word-of-mouth, but in a 1978 Runner’s World magazine, an advertisement was included that read: “Western States 100-mile Endurance Run. Shannon Gardner worked at Robie’s bank, Heart Federal Savings and Loan, made contacts to get the word out, and fielded calls from interested runners. Gardner’s Western States office at the bankīecause of difficulties experienced in 1977 with both runners and horses on the same trail, especially with single-track sections, the run was moved to the month before the Tevis Cup (Western States Trail Ride), on June 24, 1978. Joe Sloan, age 44, an experienced runner and public relations specialist from Auburn who ran in the Boston Marathon that year claimed that he was also on the new Board of Governors that year. Even though they still had much to learn about the running sport, they blazed ahead into history to put together a mountain ultra that many other key ultras would mimic. They were Phillip (1944-) and Shannon Gardner (1947-), and Curtis (1949-) and Marion “Mo” Sproul (1952-). The four members, affectionately called “The Gang of Four,” were all horse endurance riders, still learning what ultrarunning was all about. Gang of Four – Curt and Mo Sproul, Phil and Shannon GardnerĪ Western States Endurance Run Board of Governors was formally organized by race founder, Wendall Robie. Visit Subscribe or renew today with this link. ![]() I can offer a 25% discount on Ultrarunning Magazine subscriptions and renewals. The 1978 race should be considered as the first fully supported Western States Endurance Run which gave all entrants a good chance to finish. Planning for the 1978 Western States 100 Run became more serious and was much better organized. They were lucky that there were no serious heat-related emergencies, and only three of the 16 starters finished. The first race was mostly self-supported and fairly dangerous in very high temperatures. The inaugural race was hastily put together by a few volunteers who had horse endurance race experience but did not have much experience with human running races (see episode 71). Three years later, in 1977, Robie decided it was time to organize a foot race on his trail. Two years later, in 1974, Gordy Ainsleigh surprised his horse endurance peers when he ran the 89-mile Western States Trail in less than 24 hours. Six years earlier, seven soldiers from Fort Riley Kansas proved that the horse trail could be conquered on foot, and they were awarded with the “First Finishers on Foot” trophy by Western States founder, Wendell Robie (1895-1984). The 1978 Western States 100 was the second year the race was held. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | JioSaavn | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More By Davy Crockett Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:50 - 31.5MB)
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