Subject: Dust Devils 100+ Mile Info. From: "Dorion, Mark G" Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 13:57:34 -0600 NOTE: Despite the all-time record FLOODS and trail destruction the El Paso area has suffered lately, as of September 5 we are still planning on this low-key run. --MD Dust Devils 100 Mile (also 31 mile/ 51 mile/ 66+ mile) **We purposely do not have a website at this time. Sat. Oct. 28. 6:45AM Mountain Daylite Time start (we will stay on MDT throughout the 31 hours even though in town folks will have set their clocks back before 2AM Sunday). Start: aprox. 4.8 miles east (towards pointy mountains) of Mesquite, NM exit off I-10 (exit 151). Road is paved for a mile, turns to dirt, then zigs left (north) for a half mile and zags back east and becomes much more narrow and more rough the last 1.5 miles after passing a waste treatment station on the left (if in doubt when side roads branch off, stay on most-well travelled road). A regular car may be driven in, BUT USE CARE IN ANY VEHICLE. Look for two gravel parking areas 200 yards apart (one on right side of road has a horse hitching rail). Course: Due to recent major floods and trail damage this course is tentative at present. Big 10 mile loop east on old jeep roads near Long and Finley Canyons, return past start, 5+ mile loop south on single-track and old jeep road/ power-lines road > repeat second time to 50Km point. After 31 miles do smaller loops in 2 directions (north and south from parking area). After 51 miles do similar but slightly different smaller loops (bypass one major hill on flats). Time cut-offs at 31 miles (9 hours) / 51 miles (15 hours) / 66 miles (TBA). Please do not try to ignore the announced cut-offs. Final time cut-off 31:00:00. Climb: +- 13,000' in 101 miles. Much of this is in short steep ups and downs of 20-40' while crossing small arroyos and canyons. High elev.: 6,000'+ Low elev.: 4,290' Surfaces: +-65% single-track trail, 15% overgrown rough old jeep road, 15% car- driveable but rocky jeep road, 5% other. In general the surface is hard-packed dirt and rock that is hard on feet and shoes. There are also many low-lying cactae that can grab shoes, socks, legs. Aid: Water and some soda pop provided at start-finish area and, after 31 miles, every 3 miles. Bring all the food and drinks you may need for a LONG effort. Drop bags: at your vehicle (passed at +-10, 15,5, 25.5, 31, 37, 44, 51 miles and every 2-3 miles thereafter. ENTRY DONATION FEE $$: $3.00 US (benefits local trail work funds) Awards: maybe a small token such as a bandanna or bottle of chile salsa. Results: sent to ULTRARUNNING magazine. Camping: runners have camped in the vicinity of the start-finish. It can get windy. Hotels: Many hotels at Mesa Street west exit in El Paso (La Quinta, Red Roof, Comfort, Microtel, etc.). Nearest Las Cruces hotels are at University Drive exit (first exit on I-25, 1 mile north of I-25/ I-10 junction just south of town. More motels at Mesilla exit off I-10 (Hampton, etc.). Restaurants: There are two good truck stops with restaurants and convenience stores at the Vado exit (#155), 3.5 miles south of the Mesquite exit. There is NOTHING at the Mesquite exit. Maps: Available from Mark upon request. FINAL route will not be definite until Oct. 26. For those checking out the course/ start on Fri Oct 27 we will try to leave a few maps in a canister at the trailhead. Lights: It will be dark from +-6:15PM to 6:45AM-- plan accordingly and bring plenty of lights and batteries. There are places where the trail is hard to detect in the dark. How long will this run take me? On a very similar route in 2004 Mark Dorion took 12:40:02 for 51 miles, Curtis Whitener took 14:35+. At that time Mark was +- 3:15 for a road marathon, 7:55 for flat 50 mile, 22:36 for flat 100 mile. There is a good chance that NOBODY will be able to finish by 31 hours. You will be listed as finishing the longest distance of the 4 listed (31, 51, 66, 101) completed WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME LIMIT FOR THAT DISTANCE. We ask that all runners stop running at 31 hours and make their ways as quickly as possible back to the cars. What about those sign-in books? We have check-points (mostly for liability reasons) at several points throughout the course. These will be explained in more detail before the start. We will have a basic first aid kit and equipment at the start/ finish area for emergencies, however YOU should bring any special medical supplies that you may need. Sign-in/ waiver: May be filled in prior to the start at mandatory pre-run briefing. These will also be available via e-mail after September 25. Questions? Contact Mark at above e-mail or 915-581-9541 See you "on the road (and trail) again"--