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For the first time in the 35-year history of the event, the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run has been canceled. Citing poor air quality and wildfires burning near the course, organizers took the unprecedented step to cancel the run. Athletes from around the world were to compete in Saturday’s event. The following letter sent out to runners and supporters on Wednesday night: Dear Western States Runners, It is with deep regret that we announce today that the 35th running of the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run has been cancelled, due to the unprecedented amount of wildfires that have struck northern California in recent days and the health risks that have been associated with these wildfires. The Board of Trustees of the Western States Endurance Run has consulted with many of our local and state race partners, including the U.S. Forest Service and the Placer County Air Pollution Control District, in coming to this decision. We apologize to our runners for any inconvenience this decision has created.
The race's organizers are currently working on a revised schedule of
runner activities for Thursday and Friday in Squaw Valley, and these
details will be made available soon. Although there will be no race for
the first time in our 35-year history, we still wish to make this
experience as meaningful as possible for our runners. Activities will
include annual events such as runner check-in for goodie bag pickup on
Friday morning, the pre-race briefing and raffle on Friday afternoon,
the showing of Western States documentaries on Friday night, and a
special gathering of runners commemorating the race's start on Saturday. Since the beginning of more than 840 wildfires statewide, 312 wildfires
in northern California and more than 3,200 lightning strikes in the
Tahoe National Forest alone on June 21, the race's organizers have
worked closely with a variety local, county and state agencies in
determining the best course of action for our race. It has become
apparent that given our race's paramount concern - the safety or our
runners - holding this year's race would pose too great a risk to our
runners, to our aid station personnel and to our volunteers. Given the
close proximity of at least two fires that are within two miles of our
race course and a critical access road, as well as the deteriorating
air quality stretching from our start in Squaw Valley to Auburn,
Calif., the board has determined that cancellation, rather than
postponement or the use of an alternative course, represents the safest
and most prudent decision for our 2008 event. Our decision was based on three factors: 1. Proximity of the fire to the race course, which has the potential to
impact the safety of runners, aid station personnel and volunteers at
any point during the race. Fire projections indicate that the Westville Fire has the potential to
reach the Foresthill Divide Road by the weekend; in addition, the
Peavine Fire could reach Last Chance and Mosquito Ridge Road, possibly
compromising access in and out of these areas. In a statement, Jan
Cutts, District Ranger for the American River Ranger District, said,
"In addition to the potential direct impact by the fires, (the race's
cancellation) is based on safety concerns surrounding the increased
number of vehicles on the road and congestion associated with the Run.
We see hundreds of vehicles on the Foresthill Divide Road and Mosquito
Ridge Road for this event each year. That's just too many additional
vehicles when we've got fire-fighting equipment and personnel using the
same roads for fire suppression operations. … Safety is our overriding
concern and we felt we could not provide a safe environment for this
year's Run because of the unprecedented fire activity in the area." 2. Air quality deterioration. Placer County Air Pollution Control District officials have issued an
air-quality advisory. Air quality specialists with Placer County are
advising individuals to reduce their exposure to the unhealthy air, and
that includes vigorous outdoor activities. Medical representatives from
the Western States Board have consulted with several physicians
regarding their expert opinion on running a 100-mile trail race through
rugged country through such unhealthy air; the consensus has been that
such an activity would not be recommended, with the potential for
serious health risks - even for the most highly trained of athletes. As
a point of reference, a high level of pollution is 35 micrograms of
material; in Auburn on Wednesday the level was 10 times that amount,
according to figures from Placer County. In addition, Placer County Air
Pollution Control District officials have characterized the air
conditions as extremely hazardous and the worst recordings the area has
had in more than 10 years. In a statement, the Placer County Public Health Officer, Air Pollution
Control Officer and Director of the Office of Emergency Services, all
concurred with the decision to cancel this year's run: "The current situation in Northern California with respect to poor air
quality and active fire danger is unprecedented. Within Placer County
there are three active fires burning in the American River watershed,
two of which have potential to impact the Western States Trail
directly. These fires, as well as ones burning outside of the American
River watershed to the west and north are creating unhealthy smoke
concentrations throughout the foothills. This has necessitated county
public health officials to issue advisories recommending a curtailment
of voluntary outdoor activities that include strenuous physical
exertion. These recommendations include reducing exposure to smoke."
Added Tom Christofk, Placer County Air Pollution Officer: "The
widespread smoke throughout Northern California is forecasted to remain
as long as the wildfires continue to burn and the weather conditions do
not substantially change. The poor air quality conditions being
experienced in Placer County are expected to persist through the
weekend and impact elevations from the valley to Tahoe. High
particulate matter concentrations affect respiratory and cardiovascular
systems negatively, and I concur with the decision to cancel the Run
from a public health perspective as we have been issuing health
advisories recommending the limiting of outdoor physical exercise until
conditions improve." 3. Safety of our runners. For 35 years, the Western States 100 has been predicated on our
runner's safety. As stewards of the race, the Western States Board has
always recognized that running 100 miles over snow, through high
elevations, into infernal canyons and through the dark of night can
pose great challenges for even the most skilled of runners. Couple the
challenging nature of our run with the existing combination of close
proximity of wildfire, potential volatile fire activity that could cut
off key access points to the course as well as some of the most
unhealthy air the region has seen this decade, and the decision was
made in recognition of our preeminent goal -- the safety of our runners. For all of you, today's news is disappointing. Since the lottery was
held in December, you have trained with remarkable diligence and focus
to get to this day. You have dreamed big and made countless personal
sacrifices to prepare for one of the greatest days any trail runner can
ever have. As a group, the Western States Board would like to commend
you for your dedication and devotion not only to the preparation that
is required for our race, but to the community of trail runners of
which we are all a part. You are members of a special group, one that
relishes challenge, constantly strives to improve the limits of what is
believed possible, and seeks the special kindred spirits of others who
revel in the beauty of our sport. We have been honored to have your
name as part of our race's start list this year. We would be remiss if we did not publicly thank the men and women of
the American River Ranger District, particularly Jan Cutts and Ed
Moore, for their consultation and constant flow of updated information
regarding this very challenging fire situation. The City of Auburn,
City Manager Bob Richardson, and officials from Placer County, in
particular Tom Christofk, Placer County Air Pollution Control Officer,
and Dr. Richard Burton, Placer County Public Health Officer, have also
been invaluable sources of information and advisement. Thanks to all of
these trail partners.
In the coming days, we will announce details regarding entries for next
year's race, which will be determined in a fair and equitable manner.
It should be noted that per our race rules, all race entries are
non-refundable. Thank you again for your participation and interest in the Western States 100. We hope that we will see you in 2009. Sincerely, Tim Twietmeyer, Western States Board President Greg Soderlund, Race Director
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