Mount Sanitas, Boulder (CO)

[Peter Bakwin]

Numerous records exist on this local classic Every area has its test pieces, and Boulder, Colorado, has many. One of the most tested is Mt. Sanitas, part of the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP). In the history of the program, OSMP has only allowed one race on its property, and that was an ascent of the Mount Sanitas Trail, which gains 1300 feet over 1.4 miles. The "Cardiac Arete" race was held October 25, 2003, and was won by Nathan Schultz in 15m27s. Despite the fact that the race raised several hundred dollars for OSMP, and that participants were required to do a few hours of trail work, and that the public feedback was nearly universally positive, the City soon after banned all competative events on OSMP land. Nevertheless, informal competitions continue as they have for decades, out of sight of city officials. Numerous records exist on Mt. Sanitas. Besides the ascent of the south ridge, via the Mount Sanitas Trail, many records exist for one or more "laps" of the 3.3 mile loop route that includes the Mount Sanitas Trail, East Ridge Trail and the Sanitas Valley Trail. The former 2 trails are extremely steep, rocky and rough, while the Valley Trail is a smooth, double-wide gravel path. These trails are among the most popular and crowded in the OSMP system, often making speed record attempts even more challenging. For those attempting their own trials on Mount Sanitas, it is traditional that you must touch the post at the north end of the bridge by the picnic shelter off Sunshine Canyon Drive, and the metal post at the summit. For a multi-lap tour you must do this every lap. At just 6,863 feet, Mt. Sanitas is diminutive by Colorado standards. But, for me it is a special place. Mt. Sanitas dominates the view from my bedroom, and I have been playing on this mountain for nearly 40 years! Here's a list of some of the FKT's that have been reported for Mt. Sanitas. Many more times are listed on Bill Wright's website.

Mt. Sanitas map

Ascent of Mt. Sanitas Trail (1.4 miles), Kilian Jornet, 14m12s, 7/10/2010
Ascent of Mt. Sanitas Trail (1.4 miles), Rickey Gates, 14m28s (former FKT)
Ascent of Mt. Sanitas Trail (1.4 miles), female, Lisa Goldsmith (10/25/2003), 18m55s (in Cardiac Arete race)
Descent of Mt. Sanitas Trail (1.4 miles), Paul Pomeroy, 7m59s
Round trip of Mt. Sanitas Trail (2.8 miles), Dave Mackey (9/9/2003), 25m56s
1 Lap (up Mt. Sanitas Trail, down East Ridge and Valley Trails, 3.3 miles), Dave Mackey (4/6/2004), 28m05s
12 hours of loops, Peter Bakwin, 16 laps in 11h56m22s (2/22/2003), 52.8 miles with 20,800 feet of climb and descent
12 hours of loops, female, Darcy Africa, 15 laps in 11h31m (5/15/2010)
12 hours of loops, female, Stephanie Ehret 13 laps in 11h42m58s (3/28/2004) - previous record
24 hours of loops, Paul Pomeroy, 24 laps in 23h18m (5/24/2002)
30 loops (100 miles, with 40,000 feet of climb and descent), Paul Pomeroy (April 2006), 45h05m

Here's Pomeroy's brief report from his epic 100 miles of Mt. Sanitas:

'I think he'll be fine' Bob Rayburn said cheerfully to a passing hiker as I disgorged the last of my stomach contents on the side of the trail. Only seven hours into what was promising to be a long venture things had definitely headed south. I had imagined reaching this point relatively easily, breezing around the 3.3 mile loop, racking up the laps and styling my way to a dazzling finish by nightfall the next day. Things were not going according to plan. I wiped the slime from my lips, mustered my forces and lurched up the trail. Paralyzing cramps wracked my quads, nausea gripped my stomach and I hung my head as I continued up the hill and wondered why I ever thought this was a good idea. No backing out now I thought, mildly regretting having posted an announcement to the Boulder Trail Runners list that would require dozens of future explanations in the event of failure. If I was going to finish I needed to forget about time and concentrate on completion alone. Relief came in the form of company. Far more people than I expected had caught word of this "run" and decided to come out. I had expected to be primarily on my own. In fact of the thirty laps I was alone for only three, even during the wee hours of two nights. I doubt I would have finished solo - thank you Paul Gross, Bob Rayburn, Mike Pont, Doug Rovira. Thanks also to all of you who showed up for an "attaboy" or a single lap. I sincerely wish I had made a better showing yet I feel I can take pride in overcoming some distinct difficulties and persevering to the end. After a far more comfortable day Saturday it was a pleasure to roll down the valley trail at 4:05 am Sunday morning, and sit in my folding chair not having to face the prospect of another trip up the grade. Despite the obstacles this was a rewarding and memorable experience,in a lovely ambience, shared with many friends. Best wishes and thanks to all. -- Paul Pomeroy, 4/17/2006

[George Z]

Hearing Killian J did 14:12 on July 12.

[Peter Bakwin]

Adam Chase reports the time as 14m12s, on July 10, 2010. "Starting at the bridge, ending at the metal post." (which is according to the standards) "He had only seen the route once from the other direction, which he ran the day before." This beats Rickey Gates previous record by 16 seconds.

[Peter Bakwin]

I recently learned of 2 other fast ascent times, possibly including the overall ascent FKT. Apparently, Andy Hampsten ran it in 14m20s. Hampsten was a top pro road cyclist in the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning the Giro d'Italia in 1988 and the Alpe d'Huez stage of the Tour de France in 1992. I do not know when Hampsten ran Sanitas, nor do I have confirmation of the time from Hampsten himself.

Also, a source reports that Ian Feinhandler ran the ascent in an astonishing 12m55s. This was in the early 1990s, after Feinhandler had moved to Boulder to train for the Olympic 5000 m. The run was during an informal "race" between Feinhandler and some training partners. Again, I do not have confirmation of this from Feinhandler himself, nor is there certainty about the start & finish locations.

My comment is that if 12m55s is true it is quite amazing. Note that Jornet, who ran 14m12s, recently held the World Record for the Vertical Kilometer. However, Feinhandler was likely much more familiar with the route, and the trail was likely far smoother 20 years ago than today.

[Jeremy Ebel]

I was thinking about attempting to break some of these records in the near future, is there any formal timing/witness/documentation needed to enter a FKT?

[Peter Bakwin]

Please see the info on the site (you know, where it says "Read This First"):
fastestknowntime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readfirst&action=display&thread=19

For your purposes, probably the best verification would be a gps track of your run.
That's a start at least. After the run post a detailed account of what you did.

[Adam St.Pierre]

This Saturday 11/1/2014 I will be starting 24 Hrs of Sanitas Laps (Picnic shelter, up Mt. Sanitas Trail, down East Ridge Trail to Valley Trail to picnic shelter). I'm shooting for 25 laps in 24 hours finishing by 11am on Sunday 11/2/14. Should be a fun time!

[Adam St.Pierre]

Henry Schliff and I completed 22 laps in 22:40. Elected not to start a 23rd lap, even though we possibly could have finished. Here's my report. Unfortunately it appears my Garmin file was corrupted (battery died at 17 hours or so). If I can retrieve the file it will be posted to Strava. Henry's Garmin recorded 20 laps, hopefully he'll be able to upload his file.

www.astpcoaching.com/blog/24-hrs-of-mt-sanitas-chasing-paul-pomeroy

We only ran 1.5 of 22 laps without additional company. Our friends and the Boulder running community are amazingly supportive!

[Jeff Valliere]

A bit late to the conversation, but regarding Andy Hampsten, he has told me his best time was in the 15 minute range, but he was unsure of the seconds. I know for many years (pre-internet), his time was rumored to be the fastest, but that was all word of mouth talk in the bike world (where I became friendly with Andy).

[Scott Elliott]

Thanks for chiming in, Jeff. I can confirm your information -- Andy's time was in the 15's, but not sure of the exact split. This information, I can recall, came from several different pro cyclists whom I talked with back in the late '80's and early '90's. I may have even talked with Andy directly when I attended a party at his log cabin house near Chautauqua, back in the day.

I was proud to hold the Sanitas south ridge record of 14:40 for many, many years until Rickey Gates finally took it down. Fuzzy on when I set my record (probably 1988, give or take a few years), and Rickey ran his record sometime in 2003-2008.

Killian is a stud. I would be doubtful of any times faster than his.

[Brooks M]

I've done this run a couple times and both times have marked the distance (on my Garmin) as 1.20 miles. Could the extra .2 come from elevation gain, and my Garmin doesn't note it? Or is the course I'm doing (there is construction...) simply short? I started at A bridge (don't know if it's THE bridge) near a brick structure and a picnic area, so I believe that it is the right course. Thanks!

[matt rott]

Broke my clavicle a couple weeks ago, so have been reduced to running up sanitas every day. Still a few minutes to go to match Kilian (ha, i wish...what a freak), but I am curious about the women's FKT. Surely someone has gone under 18:55?

[ryano]

Hello All, I am going to throw in my hat for the Sanitas 24hr and possibly 100mile record, if things go well, the weekend of the Oct 29th. Doing the normal route(Picnic shelter, up Mt. Sanitas Trail, down East Ridge Trail to Valley Trail to picnic shelter). This will be my first attempt at the record and first time doing more then 3 laps in a day. I will let you all know how it goes in November. I will also do my best to Strava the whole thing.

Thanks

[ryano]

So it seems I need a spot for counting laps. Here is the link (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0kZ9vVK3dagv2rnbPxlyR1zdEE4vAeJJ8). But feel free to come join me. I am planning on starting at 9am tomorrow. I will also be using strava for people to varify after.

Thanks

[ryano]

Hello All,

I gave it a go and learned a lot. I started right at 9am feeling great for the first 5 laps, 6, 7, 8 kept going downhill in the heat. My fam and friends helped out along the way with some great conversations and delicious slushies from 7-11. I decided to call my attempt and come back next year as I didn't think I could keep up an hr per lap for 17more. Best of luck next time. Attached in the strava data from my 8 laps in 7hr.

www.strava.com/activities/759831888