Wy’east Wonder Insights

1. What do you like best about this course? What inspires you to organize the race year after year?

The mountain views and the wildflowers make this one just stunning. Plus it is a very fun route, with a good mix of trail types. But the views are unbeatable. You start on the southern side of a mountain and run around it on ridge lines all the way to the orchard-filled valley on the northeast side. We love introducing people to new trails and new places to run and before we started this race, these trails weren't well-known in the PWN trail running community. 

2. What is unique about your local running community?

I'm not sure if it is unique but it definitely amazing. Our community is very engaged and supportive. There are many clubs and group runs and I think that is because the people here want to connect with each other.

3. If the course were a piece of art, would you classify it as a painting, music composition, film or graffiti? Does it remind you of any specific artistic piece/genre?

What an interesting question! A painting I'd have to say, because of all the amazing view points along the course. Plenty of times that you just stop running to pause and take it in.

4. Think back over the years...do you have any funny/scary/interesting stories about this race you can share?

This last year, we had a runner in the 50K who was trying to set a world record for juggling while running a 50K. Yes, this guy juggled three bean bags the entire race. That is hours and hours of juggling, while running on some trails with uneven footing. When he finished he said his arms were more tired than his legs. 

5.  What advice do you have for runners preparing to participate in the Wy’east Wonder?

We also give two pieces of advice at the start of this one; take it easy in the first four miles since it's a climb, there's no need to go out too fast and burn up, and to save some of yourself for the final two miles, which are a very steep and technical descent. Many don't look closely at the elevation profile and even though they know it is a net downhill, they miss that there is still a good amount of uphill, and that a big part of the descent is in that final couple of miles.