[Author’s Note: This is the first of a 10-part series in AJW’s Taproom called Race Director Chronicles, where we profile the unsung heroes who make our sport’s racing possible.]
The San Diego 100 Mile takes place every year in early June, about 50 miles east of San Diego, California, within the Lake Cuyamaca space. The brainchild of legendary Southern California ultrarunner Paul Schmidt, the primary version of the race in 2001 had eight finishers, together with Schmidt himself! Right now, the race has grown to yearly appeal to fields of over 250 to the gorgeous rolling hills and buttery singletrack of Southern California.
One other legendary San Diego ultrarunner, Scott Mills, took over the race from Schmidt in 2008 and efficiently moved it from October to June in an try to cut back the danger of the occasion being impacted by wildfire. With the 2018 working, Mills transitioned the race to the present co-race administrators, BJ Haeck and Angela Shartel.
All the San Diego 100 Mile’s previous and current race administrators in a single photograph (from l-to-r): Scott Mills, BJ Haeck, Angela Shartel, and Paul Schmidt. Picture courtesy of Angela Shartel and BJ Haeck.
Haeck and Shartel directed the race in 2019 after which have been pressured to endure two consecutive cancelations as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 the race returned to the calendar, and though they feared that they’d lose a few of their loyal volunteers as a result of lengthy layoff, they stated, “We didn’t lose a single volunteer!
“We’re proud to be the Western States 100 backup race,” exclaims Shartel, “in addition to a Western States 100 qualifier!”
Constructing on the traditions established by Schmidt and Mills, Haeck and Shartel satisfaction themselves on the relationships which have been constructed across the occasion. From their connections with the state and regional allowing businesses with whom they work to the group of loyal volunteers and repeat runners who return 12 months after 12 months, Haeck and Shartel see themselves because the caretakers of one thing particular.
Angela Shartel and BJ Haeck, San Diego 100 Mile race administrators. Picture courtesy of Angela Shartel and BJ Haeck.
“We stage 5 coaching runs and three volunteer events yearly. To us, sustaining the group across the occasion is essential,” says Haeck.
To perpetuate the sense of group even amongst pacers and crews, one distinctive facet of the race weekend is that the necessary pacer/crew assembly is performed after the runners have began the race. “This permits us to verify everybody will get essentially the most up-to-date and related data,” says Shartel. Moreover, on race day, Haeck and Shartel make it some extent to personally go to each help station on the course to attach with volunteers, runners, crews, and state park officers. This private contact is a trademark of the occasion.
Acknowledging the elevated commercialization in ultrarunning, Haeck and Shartel are conscious of the influence of bigger, for-profit corporations which have entered the game. When requested if they’ve ever thought of changing into a part of the UTMB World Collection, their response was emphatic, “That’s a tough no!”
“Our most essential precedence is to supply a personally significant expertise for each runner,” says Shartel. Guided by the grassroots legacy created over 20 years, it’s clear that the San Diego 100 Mile is actually a “individuals’s race.” The dedication and management that Haeck and Shartel present, mixed with the splendidly supportive and beneficiant San Diego ultrarunning group, collectively make the San Diego 100 Mile one of many crown jewels of the North American ultrarunning calendar.
Bottoms up!
Runners through the San Diego 100 Mile. Picture: Howie Stern
AJW’s Angela Shartel and BJ Haeck’s Beer of the Week
“Whereas we talked with Andy, we loved the Mr. Padre 3000 Triple Pale Ale by AleSmith Brewing Firm in San Diego, California. The Mr. Padre 3000 was launched together with the Mr. Padre 2000 on August 6, 2022, to commemorate not solely the date that beloved San Diego Padres participant Tony Gwynn received each his 2,000th and three,000th hits but additionally his mother’s birthday.
“Associated to AleSmith’s extra available .394 San Diego Pale Ale that the brewery developed with Tony Gwynn, aka ‘Mr. Padre’ himself to honor each Tony and our beloved Padres, the dangerously drinkable Mr. Padre 3000 checks in at 10.0%. Whereas not strictly an IPA, its sturdy hops profile is basic San Diego whereas supported with a extra evident spine of malt that makes it a superbly balanced brew to get pleasure from when speaking ultrarunning with mates.
“Nevertheless, it’s only accessible in San Diego, so you’ll have to come go to us to get it!”
Name for Feedback
San Diego 100 Mile feedback time! Use the feedback part to depart your tales of this race, its historical past as an establishment of American ultrarunning, and its fashionable race administrators, Angela Shartel and BJ Haeck!
Angela Shartel and BJ Haeck consuming AleSmith Mr. Padre 3000 Triple Pale Ale whereas being interviewed by AJW for this text. Picture courtesy of Angela Shartel and BJ Haeck.
