2021 Wyoming Range 100: Runner update #3

Runners,

Thanks for your continued patience as we wrangle with the Soda Lake fire and potential changes to the course. We have encouraging news — but not yet a definitive course.

Before we dig into the details, let me emphasize that we have zero indication that the race will not happen. The Forest Service and our other partners have been and remain 100% committed to the inaugural running of the Wyoming Range 100.

Okay, on to the details.

The closure order has been mostly rescinded

On the positive front, the Forest Service rescinded most of the closure order on InciWeb: “The temporary special order closure has been rescinded, though some areas around the South Cottonwood Rd may remain temporary closed to allow fire personnel to operate safely.” 

Needless to say, the fact that fire is well on its way to 100% containment so quickly is the best news in all of this.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean we can use the original course

We just got off the phone with the Forest Service to discuss another reroute option — “plan C” here. This option would avoid the South Cottonwood Road closure for runners, crews and volunteers — and not require runners to be on gravel road for 17 miles, as is the case with “plan B.” Ultimately, we want to be as close as possible to the original route without getting in the way of cleanup and mitigation efforts! 

We should have a definitive route by early next week

The Forest Service is working hard. Ridiculously hard. We are monumentally appreciative of the time they’ve carved out for us recently, considering they’ve been in an all-hands-on-deck footing for the past six days. 

Our partners at the Forest Service have been reviewing our proposed reroutes when they can, but these things take time (particularly when your time is already stretched so thin). We could get a response today; we could get a response Friday. Our best bet, however, is that we’ll get official word early next week. As soon as we know, you’ll know. 

To be clear, plan B, which involves 17 miles of gravel road, remains an option. It’s not 98.5% single track, but it’s still darn pretty and darn tough.

Once again, we ask for your patience. If the updates we’ve shared give you heartburn, which is perfectly understandable, give us a call. We’re here to work with you.

-Denis & Colin