August 2025 The Strider

THE STRIDER

Your news source for the Mesa Monument Striders, Grand Valley running, and beyond.

In this issue: tons of summer race results, Tracy’s Tabeguache FKT, Ryan’s SJS win, & more.

Thanks to Tom Ela, Tracy Thelen, and Ryan Sullivan for contributions.

For submissions for upcoming newsletters, feel free to email articles, upcoming events, edits, race results/reports, etc. to Megan and Michelle at [email protected].

Race Results and Reports

Mike the Headless Chicken (5k) - May 31, 2025 - Fruita, CO

Local Striders Olivia Terwilliger and Brian Glassey won the MHC 5K this year! Over 450 runners participated in the event. 

Some top performances: 

San Juan Solstice (50mi) - June 21, 2025 - Lake City, CO

Many Striders traveled to Lake City this year to race, pace, crew, and spectate SJS 2025! 

Ryan Sullivan took first place with a time of 8:12:055! See his race report below!

Other notable performances from local runners and Striders: 

11th - Max Robinson 9:47:21

38th - Grant Roper 11:25:06

72nd - Scott Vig 12:26:31

Turkey Flats (9.5mi) - June 29, 2025 - Glade Park, CO

Word around the Striders "campfire" (yes, we complied with the fire ban) the night before the race was that trail conditions were great for fast times and the runners proved that assessment to be true. Ryan Sullivan, only a week out from his San Juan Solstice 50-Mile win, flew to a new course record. He lowered the record by over 3 minutes! Brier Youngfleish just missed setting a new Women's course record by a mere 8 seconds, Bryant Byrd cruised to what is now the 4th fastest time ever. An impressive showing by all!

Runners enjoyed a dry course clear of down timber but packed with wildflowers, per usual. No bears this year but a couple of bull elk were spotted. A lively after-party ensued with lots of stories shared. It's a fun time when this vibrant running community gathers. Special kudos go to Steve DeFeyter who ran sweep and picked up flags and to Cindy and Gary who each ran two unofficial laps. (Written by Tom) 

Check out the race photos here!

Full results (over 40 participants!):

Crag Crest (10.5mi) - July 13, 2025 - Grand Mesa National Forest, CO

It was a fine day to be in the mountains and 34 runners took advantage by running the Crag Crest Loop, an iconic Colorado mountain trail run. Austin Anderson was feeling the mojo and blasted to the second fastest time on record for this race. Nobody was close enough to push him so he was on his own to maintain his blazing pace including bouncing right up from a fall and continuing on. Cody Esbenshade took a fall also on his way to 2nd place. Maybe that was the trick for this race! Lexi Van Roekel didn't need any trickery to come in 4th overall and ahead of all the women. As usual, the course featured a riot of wildflowers and endless scenery. (Written by Tom)
Check out the race photos here!

Full results:

Powderhorn Mtn Trail Climb (5k, 15k) - July 19, 2025 - Grand Mesa National Forest, CO

Apparently 5k with 1500ft vert is too easy for Striders members so they represented in the 15k with 3000ft vert.

Tracy Thelen (1:50:28) flew her way into first using eagle arms on the downhill, and Shane Niksic (1:25:14) and Andy Mohler (1:39:51) were the first two men to finish.

Silverton Alpine Runs (50k, Marathon, 8mi)  - July 20, 2025 - Silverton, CO

After his smoking time at Crag Crest, we knew Austin Anderson was in prime shape. He reiterated that in Silverton with a 3rd place finish in the Silverton Alpine 50K then bouncing back the next morning with a 5th place finish in the Kendall Mountain Run. Amazing! You've earned a few days off. (Written by Tom)

Kendall Mountain Runs (12mi, 11k) - July 20, 2025 - Silverton, CO
Scott Hollmaier, Corey Maas, Richard Leclercq, and Austin Anderson all represented the Grand Valley in this Silverton 12 miler. According to Tom, rumor has it that Richard ran at least most of it with shoes on!

Grand Mesa Ultras (30k, 55k, 50mi) - July 26, 2025 - Grand Mesa National Forest, CO

Great job, Grand Mesa Ultra runners! 

Outstanding Striders performances by Whit Blair, Rachel Lawrence, Cody Esbenshade, Shane Niksic, Olivia Terwilliger and everyone else who had the gumption to complete these tough courses. (Written by Tom) 

Full results here.

Newsletter Contributions

Good Question

[Reflections on Tracy’s Tabeguache FKT and why ultra runners do what we do, by Megan S., Aug. 2025]

“Why would anyone ever run that far??” That was the question I asked myself the first time I saw a Strava activity for a 100-mile race. It was Tracy Thelen’s Silverheels 100mi finish in 2021. I honestly couldn’t fathom why anyone would run farther than a marathon - or why anyone would run a marathon for that matter (I had just joined the Striders at this point). 

As I sat with the question for a while, it became more and more pressing - why would anyone run that far? Tracy seemed like a reasonable person as far as I could tell, so why had she done it? I leaned into it and got more and more curious. Before I knew it, I’d started listening to podcasts about ultra running, reading about ultra running, and reaching out to Tracy to see if she’d be willing to coach me for my first ultra. Lucky for me, Tracy agreed and has been a guiding light as I learn to navigate this weird world of running long on trails. 

Fast forward to the following year, 2022, when Tracy attempted the 150-mile Tabeguache Trail Fastest Known Time (FKT). Again, I wondered, why? This one wasn’t even a race with all the aid stations and spectators and flair - but rather a solo attempt at running from Montrose to GJ via unforgiving terrain with over 19,000 feet of climbing (this was also my first time hearing about an FKT attempt). Tracy didn’t complete the trek that year, nor the following year 2023. While I still didn’t have an understanding of why someone would keep trying at something so challenging, it was clear she wasn’t going to give up until she made it to the Lunch Loops parking lot on foot. 

This year, she made the attempt in June rather than August, and I along with various other Striders followed along on her journey via her GPS tracker. One of the evenings she was out there, we had golf-ball sized hail that damaged the roofs of all the cars in my neighborhood, and all I could think about was Tracy and hoping the storm had skirted her. It sounds like she did get some weather out there, but that it luckily helped cool things down a bit. 

On the third day of Tracy’s journey, her GPS tracker was getting closer and closer and it was clear she was going to make it. Matt and I decided to brave the heat (ha!) and head down to the Lunch Loops parking lot, where Nick and some of Tracy’s biggest fans gathered in the shade (it was a very hot day). Nick shared stories about his adventures supporting Tracy on the trail (muddy roads spiced things up quite a bit), and we all buzzed with excitement as we spotted Tracy coming up the last section of Tab. She may not have felt it, but she looked fresh as ever as she trotted on up to us all cheering and taking pictures and videos. Her official time: fifty six hours, one minute and thirty five seconds. As Tracy crossed the “finish line” of the Tabeguache FKT, Nick asked for a two-word response to the question “Why’d you do it?” Tracy couldn’t have had a better response: “Good question!” 

Congratulations Tracy! Your completion of the Tabeguache FKT is awe-inspiring to say the least.

See Tracy’s FKT details, report, and pics here.

2025 San Juan Solstice

[Reflections on race performance and WIN, by Ryan Sullivan., Aug. 2025]

On June 21st I raced the 30th running of the San Juan Solstice 50. It's a true mountain race - it starts at an elevation of 8700 ft in Lake City, traverses a stunning 50-mile loop comprising three major climbs, totals about 13,000 ft in climbing, and reaches a high point of 13,300 ft on the continental divide. It's my favorite race of all time and it feels like all 400 residents of Lake City are a part of making the race happen every year. 

The race starts with 2 miles up Engineer Pass road before veering onto the Alpine Gulch trail where runners perform 10-15 creek crossings over a few miles.  Keeping things controlled but steady early on, I made it smoothly through crossings and by the time I got up the first climb (about 4500 ft up Alpine Gulch) and descended into Williams Creek I was in the lead with just a few minutes on the next runners.

The second climb (4000 ft up Carson Road to the continental divide) is the crux of the course and this is where I put some time into the competition. I felt great and did the climb in the second fastest time ever, all while keeping effort controlled. I was on one. However (there's always something), on the divide above 13K feet, I ran into the usual high-altitude nausea, was unable to eat/drink the required amounts, and subsequently lost what felt like a ton of time in a stretch of the course where I was hoping to be able to bang out some fast miles. There I was, dry-heaving while my sub-8 hour dreams floated away. All the while, Matt Vira was making up substantial time behind me.

After some time on the ridge I descended into the Slumgullion aid station in the lead, and was able to see the crew. The lower altitude at Slumgullion (9700 ft) helped the nausea about 50%.  By the top of that last climb, I looked back and Matt Vira was in sight about 1/4 mile back. I cursed to myself and got to business. My hydration status had improved, my downhill legs were ready to roll, and I had no excuse to not absolutely demolish this final 2500 foot descent into town.  I was unaware at the time that Matt had burned his last match reeling me in on the climb, so I ran the last 8 miles scared AF, thinking he was right behind me. But he wasn't right behind me - I proceeded to absolutely blow his doors off on the final descent, running the last downhill 4 minutes faster than anyone historically. I won the race in 8:12, the fifth fastest time in the race's history.  I proceeded to lay in the fetal position with my amazing crew making fun of me, having a hard time answering the questions asked by the local newspaper staff. I'll have to go back another year and secure that elusive green hat. 

Go Striders!

*Editor’s note - Ryan has been busy! Catch the Spoke and Blossom article about him here and his Gorge Waterfalls 100k race report for RoadTrailRun here.

Upcoming Events

• AUGUST 21: Thursday Aug. 21, 6PM, Peach Ice Cream Run Night
  In addition to our regular Thursday group run, we'll be hand cranking fresh peach ice cream to enjoy afterwards. Families are welcome. You don't have to run but you do have to help crank! Bring your own bowl and spoon to reduce waste.
• August 23, 2025: Telluride Mountain Run - Telluride, CO; Features 40mi, 24mi, and 13mi distances. Runners need to be prepared for a whole lot of vertical and technical running!
• August 23, 2025: Striders Mary’s Loop - Loma, CO; The run will be the original 8.5 mile course starting at the main Kokopelli Trailhead, running a clockwise loop and ending with the road back to the main trailhead.
• September 6, 2025: Imogene Pass Run - Ouray, CO; Anyone who is competing in this event has probably already signed up :) But more info in case you’re looking to support!
• September 12-14: Run Rabbit Run - Steamboat Springs, CO; 100mi & 50mi distances.
• Start thinking about snow and skiing! Support the GMNC:
  September 20, 10AM
  Run for Snow 10K Trail Run & 5K Walk
  County Line Trailhead on Grand Mesa
  INFO and REGISTER
• September 20-21: Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent - Colorado Springs, CO; 26.2mi and 13.3mi distances.
• September 27, 2025: Crested Butte Ultra - Crested Butte, CO; Run through the Gunnison National Forest and enjoy the fall colors! Features 35k, 55k, and 50mi races.
• October 4, 2025: Arches Marathon and Half - Moab, CO; Includes 50k, Marathon, Half Marathon, and 15k distances.
• October 11, 2025: Sage Burner Trail Race - Gunnison, CO; Located in Hartman Rocks Recreation Area and features 50k, 28k, and 15k distances.
• October 25, 2025: Canyonlands Ultra - Moab, UT; Includes 100k, 50mi, 50k, Marathon, and Half Marathon distances.

Group Training Runs

Contact: Tom Ela - (970) 773-3124

Mondays at 6pm - Fruita

Pollock Canyon TH, run Flume Canyon Loop

Pollock Canyon TH, run Pollock Bench Loop

Mary's Loop TH, I-70 Loma Exit

Devil's Canyon TH