Trust, Faith, and Courage during a 100 miles on foot.
By Roland “Rollie” Ring-Jarvi. Support crew for Ross Ring-Jarvi
Ross Ring-Jarvi is running the Wyoming Range 100 mile race and is at mile 80 in the race at Hunting Camp aid station. He has just run one of the most difficult sections of the course from Deadman aid station climbing some 3500 feet with very rugged terrain and terrible footing. He has had a pacer Joe with him for the last 10 miles and it is now 3:45 am and it is very dark. Joe has done a good job. Jen is about to be a pacer for Ross- she cannot lead or carry anything for Ross but simply help if problems occur.
Ross’s spirits are good - he exchanges his hydration vest for a new one filled up with fluids and snacks.
He eats a few items and drinks warmed soup out of a cup.
Jen will pace Ross for the last 20 miles which has 2000 feet of vertical climb right out of the aid station and then some descent into the last aid station Rim Rock which is 14 miles away. Both are excited to be on the last couple legs - it has been a long day already.
Starting Friday 8/19 7:00am the race began 80 miles ago - and it is now 3:45 am Saturday - after running for 20 hours and 45 minutes- now only about 5-6 hours remain.
However its is still dark and headlamps are lighting the way forward ..
The trail’s pink flags mark the way - so you need to pay attention because the path is not worn down or even very visible at times - GPS on a cell phone provides backup and reassurance that you are on the correct trail. However no cell phone communication is possible. The trail has had storms which have created numerous deadfall’s which make travel more complicated and slow.
Mandatory gear for runners and pacers is the same - one item that is mentioned frequently - Bear Spray - which you must carry at all times plus fluids and gear for cold and wet conditions. Plus the support crew people who drive from aid station to aid station need bear spay with them as well. At the pre-race meeting - a bear is mentioned close to the race course.
I watch Ross and Jen disappear into the night as the headlamps secure the way forward.
About 15 minutes later another runner (Eric) comes into the aid station- he is tired - the last section has been tough and he eats and rehydrates. His pacer goes with him and they disappear into the night as well.
As support crew driver I now drive to the finish area some 52 miles away by road - the running trail is only 20 miles, I arrive about 7 :30 am.
The race director is setting up the finish area and gets a message from Rim Rock aid station that Jen has hurt her ankle and could be broken and that she is heading back to Hunting Camp aid station - since Rim Rock aid station has no access for crews or pacers and only one aid station worker.
So I drive back and upon arrival I hear from the aid station that Jen has gone to Rim Rock and not come back. I drive back to the finish area - it has taken me 5 hours to do the round trip - gravel back roads are very rough and slow driving along with some cattle on the roads.
Upon arrival at 10:45 am - I see Jen and Ross at the finish area. What has happened?
Trust, faith and courage had taken place.
About 5 miles after leaving the aid station in the dark Jen has hurt her ankle so that she can not really run at all and can barely walk and has a bump on her ankle - lots of pain.
Ankle could be broken or sprained .
Jen tells Ross - go ahead to the finish I don’t want to hold you up - they are about 9 miles from the next and last aid station and 15 miles from the finish. Ross is reluctant to leave her alone at night in Grizzly bear country and unable to move very much. Jen is insistent that Ross continue running while she walks out - Ross was using hiking poles which he now gives to her..
Ross thinks she should got back to Hunting Camp which is closer about 5 miles back up the trail instead for going to Rim Rock - 9 miles away.
Ross and Jen are married - he has left his wife in the night in bear country alone on a trail you can barely follow. They have no cell phone coverage to ask for help.
She insisted he go on. He does.
They are both extremely experienced trail runners and have done other 100 mile races before crewing for each other. In 2020 they both ran 100 miles together on the White Rim Trail with temps in the 90’s. Then got married the next day at the overlook in Canyonlands and then drove to Arches and hiked up for wedding pictures.
They both have trust in each other and have faith in themselves and positive attitudes .
Jen had courage to tell Ross to go on to the finish - both didn’t know what was gong to transpire but had faith and trust in each other to do it.
Courage , faith and trust go along way - so what happened?
Ross completes the 100 plus miles is at the finish line and his first question is how is Jen?
The race director tells Ross - Jen was just at Rim Rock and is moving forward alone.
She kept going taking some pain medication and continuing to walk - one hour and half later she is at the finish line limping in. Jen’s ankle is swollen - elevation and ice now.
Next day at Jackson clinic - a walking boot and crutches are provided after X-rays are taken. No new breaks but something from an old break is causing issues - need to see a specialist. Ankle is black, blue and ugly swollen.
By the way Ross won the race with a time of 26:15 for 105 miles - he was leading the race at the time of Jen’s injury.
Jen sent him on his way.
How many of us would have the courage to say go ?
- at night in bear country alone and barely walking on a rugged trail - miles from anyone?? Courage.
Wyoming Range 100 has a very remote rugged trail - with over 20,000 feet of climbing - is a point to point course with gravel roads for crews . The race director - Denis Cook is a great guy with great volunteers helping him. If you are looking for a challenge this is a race for you.