LITTLE ROCK — Two decades ago, fewer than 50 hearty souls lined up and took off into the hills of the Ouachita National Forest for a 100-mile run dubbed the Arkansas Traveller.
The Traveller was a rare experiment in 1991 and a daunting departure from lacing up for a quick 5K race on Saturday morning.
At the time, there were fewer than 10 ultramarathons nationally. Now, 21 years later, the count has grown to almost 90 and the event is a popular test of will as much as endurance.
“There’s been a little bit of dilution over time in terms of runners,” said Stan Ferguson, who along with his wife, Chrissy, organized the annual race that starts at 6 a.m. Saturday from the Lake Sylvia Recreation Area along Arkansas 10 near Perryville.
The 105 runners scheduled to take part this year — who hail from 27 states and Japan — make the field about average for the Traveller, and last year’s champion is expected to return.
Russellville’s Robert Vogler won the race for a second time last year in a time of 17 hours, 24 minutes and 30 seconds and is among the favorites again.
But fatigue from competing in a quartet of races called the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning — the Western States 100, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Wasatch Front 100 and the Leadville Trail — might hinder his performance.
“Unless there’s just been someone under the radar or a rock, I’d think [Vogler] would be the favorite,” Ferguson said. “He’s in pretty good shape.”
A glance at winning times suggests the winner should finish the race at around 1 a.m. Sunday, while the back of the pack will straggle in around eight hours later.
It’s likely runners will face dreary conditions with temperatures forecasted in the mid-50s with a 30 percent chance of showers, but Ferguson said proper equipment mitigates most problems and the course isn’t likely to be affected.
“It’s rocky enough to where the terrain is never going to change really under your feet,” Ferguson said. “It’s never really been a race that becomes a mud bath. The roads and trails are where it doesn’t make it an issue.” So who suffers the most? “It’s usually worse for the volunteers than the runners,” Ferguson said.
At a glance
WHEN 6 a.m. Saturday (Runners must finish by noon Sunday.) WHERE Lake Sylvia in the Ouachita National Forest, near Williams Junction 2011 CHAMPIONS Men: Robert Vogler, Russellville, 17:24:30; Women: Jenny Brod, Little Rock, 21:46:31 COURSE RECORDS Men: James Kirby 15:37.36 (2004); Women: Ann Trason, 17:13.10 (2002). DIRECTIONS TO START/FINISH Off Arkansas 10, turn west on Arkansas 324 and travel 3.7 miles
Sports, Pages 19 on 10/05/2012