Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon - Week in Review

The above slideshow complete with Phillip Glass music was put together using photos from taken by several members of the Grupo Animales otherwise known as Club Mas Loco.

These photos cover the beginning to the end of the trip, including the hike over from Batopilas to Urique the pre-race ceremony, the race and post-race celebration.

Results from (www.CaballoBlanco.com) : The Ultra Marathon had 38 starters and 20 finishers.

1) Scott Jurek (33)--El Venado--Chumari'--Washington-- 6:32
2) Arnulfo (27)--Chepatare--Batopilas canyon 6:50
3) Billy Barnett (22)--El Rana Lobo--Wolf Frog--Virginia 6:59
4) Jenn Shelton (23)--La Brujita--Little Witch--Virginia 7:00
5) Manuel Luna (42)--Gavilana--Batopilas canyon 7:47
6) Arnulfocito (18)--Santa Rita--Batopilas canyon 8:00
7) Nacho Palma (42)--Quirare--Batopilas canyon 8:03
8) Martin Gallito (21)--Chepatare--Batopilas canyon 8:10
9) Leonardo Cleto (22)--Piedras Verdes, Urique canyon 8:12
10) Jose Hilario (22)--Piedras Verdes, Urique canyon 8:13
11) Sebastiano (37)--San Jose, Batopilas canyon 8:16
12) Mike Adams (38)--El Perro Grande-Big Dog-Washington 8:48
13) Micah True (54)--El Caballo Blanco--White Horse--???? 8:58
14) Barefoot Ted McDonald (42)--El Mono--Monkey--California 9:44
15) Charlie Crissman (38)--El Buho--The Owl--Washington 9:54
16) Chriss Labbe (37)--El Cabro--The goat--Colorado 10:02
17) Jamil Courey (22)--El Carnero--The Ram--Arizona 10:16
18) Deborah Bezanis (49)--La Cebolla--The Onion-Chicago 11:33
19) Samuel Warren (38)--El Girafa--The Giraffe--Washington 11:33

20) 36 miler: Leah Jurek (30)--La Venada--Dear--Washington 8:20

BFT

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE with Christopher Nyerges

from www.christophernyerges.com SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m., $51. We'll be in a higher elevation where we can make shelter, practice weaving, make fire without matches, and put together a great meal from wild plants. Switzer's Camp, Angeles National Forest, Location 3.

This was a fantastic day learning how to do the following:

1. Create yucca cordage
2. Weave a net
3. Identify some edible plants
4. Identify good tinder plants
5. Build a lean-to shelter
6. Construct small animal traps with triggers
7. Start fire without matches

I was particularly happy to learn how to start a fire using a fire drill. The video footage below shows several people working together using just their hands to start the fire. Later, I did the same on my own, from building the hearth to using the drill and getting the fire started. Very cool.



BFT

How to Tie Huarache Sandals Part 2

A couple more videos showing the tieing of huarache sandals. Videos taken while participating in the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon 2007.

BFT

1906 Running Shoe Design

From the description, the construction is such that it "gives to the shoe a fit like a glove or stocking." "The construction of the shoe is also such that there will be no seams on the inside which will rub or chafe the foot."

They knew a lot in 1906. The most important lesson: less = more.

BFT

Barefoot Sandal Patent 1938

This barefoot sandal was invented for "modern dance". Looks pretty cool. I wonder how many pairs sold.

BFT

Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon in Huaraches

Crossing the bridge at mile 10

My huaraches after the race

Successfully completed the race in 9:44, an hour better than last year. The entire race covers between 47 and 49 miles. Wore my hand-made, Vibram-soled huaraches for the entire race. They worked perfectly. My feet were fine after the race...only a little dirty!

I learned more secrets about the huaraches on this trip. For on thing, the name in Raramuri is akarache or akahuarache. Secondly, I learned a better, simpler way to tie them. Finally, I learned that most of the Indians use their huaraches in daily life as workboots etc. They are not particularly interested in a thinner sole. The Vibram soles on my sandals are only 4mm thick. You can still FEEL plenty and they are extremely flexible.

I like to put myself as first place in the division of gringos who ran the race with shoes that they made themselves!

BFT

PS. Photos by Chris and Andrew Labbe

Julian Romero runs LA Marathon Barefoot in 2:53

Photo from San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Very happy to report an excellent race for an up-and-coming barefoot runner, Julian Romero. This guy ran the Los Angeles Marathon in 2:53 on a course that is the toughest in over 20 years. Some of the slowest times ever were recorded for the top runners which makes Julian achievement even more incredible.

Several of my friends in the Wild Mountain Runner Club said that they saw and ran with Julian. What impressed several of them was that he didn't look like a typical fast marathoner, i.e., super thin and narrow, yet he was MOVING.

Congratulations again and looking forward to hearing about your future successes.

BFT

PS. You can read about Julian's race here

Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon - Walking the Course

This footage is from two days before the race. We all walked the first section of the course together.

Some of the walkers include Arnulfo, winner of last year's race, and Scott Jurek, winner of this year's race.

Having fun hanging out with our Raramuri friends.



After the hike, we had fun at a swimming spot under the bridge complete with diving.

BFT