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‘2020 Bryce Canyon Ultras – This Race IS Happening!’

This is the email that appeared in my inbox on April 27 for a race that was schedule to happen on May 30.  Now what?  I thought to myself, the COVID19 pandemic has had everything shutdown for over a month, and now we’re supposed to travel to Utah so that I can run a 50 mile race? It seemed selfish of me to ask my husband, Mike, to drag our 2 ½ year old, Lucas, all the way to Bryce Canyon so that I could compete in a race.  

I’d spent the three previous months training for this race, following a schedule that Jaime Brede, a Summit Endurance Academy coach, had developed for me.  My training went on a two-week hiatus once the pandemic hit.  It was challenging enough trying to work full time from home with Lucas running around vying for my attention; how was I supposed to follow a training plan?

With Jaime’s help, my training schedule was modified to fit the new routine that we had developed at home during the pandemic.  My mentality switched from ‘I have to run for four hours today’ to ‘I get to run for four hours today.’  How lucky am I that I have supportive family, friends, and a body that continues to carry me across the finish line. I never take that for granted.

During every training run, I had to remind myself that at any moment the race could be cancelled; the Utah regulations could change, so, until I was actually at the drive-up bib pick-up, running this race felt like a dream.

That’s right, a drive-up bib pick-up; that was the race director’s way of keeping racers, volunteers, and staff socially distanced. They handed me my race bib and safety pins, and then we went back to our campsite.

Another step the race director took to reduce group gatherings was to implement a rolling start.  The 50 mile runners could start anytime from 6am-7am.  I felt zero pressure or anxiety at the start line; at 6:06am I started my run.

The first couple miles of this course were dirt road, so there was plenty of room to comfortably pass or be passed.  Once we hit the first section of single track, everyone was very respectful, and I never had another runner breathing down my neck.  People passed with care, announcing when they wanted to pass, and allowing plenty of room for the shuffle around another runner.  This trail courtesy and respect continued the entire race.  

Aid stations were stocked with a variety of pre-packaged, single serve, grab-and-go foods.  Granola bars, applesauce pouches, rice crispy treats, cheeze-it’s and much, much more.  They had pre-poured Gnarly hydration mix, pop and water in small cups; they also had water bottle filling coolers that could accommodate multiple runners at a time.  All the race staff and volunteers wore masks, and those serving any type of food or drink wore gloves as well.  Aid stations were not crowded, and once again, everyone was very friendly, supportive, and respectful.

Now, I mentioned that the race director stated that this was a ‘no spectator’ event, however, once I got to the second aid station and I saw people spread out in camp chairs, waiting to cheer on their runners, I texted Mike (we randomly had cell service for the majority of this race) and gave him the green light to be at one of the upcoming aid stations.  I felt strong the entire race and seeing Mike and Lucas after a soul crushing portion of the race, was just what I needed.

It was right around 7pm that I crossed the finish line in a time of 12:48:07.  After some hugs and kisses, I walked over to the t-shirt tent and picked up my race tee.  Then, I walked over to the award tent and picked up my finisher gift; a beautiful ceramic bowl with the Bryce Canyon Ultra emblem on it. There was no announcer.  There was no music.  There was only a finish trestle and a clock running.  There was, however, my husband and son, waiting for me, and that was really all that I needed after spending the day out on the beautiful trails at the Bryce Canyon Ultra.  

SEA Athlete Linsey Joyce