Updated January 2, 2003
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Alex T ilson Named American UltraRunning Association Athlete of the Month [NEW!]
Alex Tilson captures Inaugural Silicon Valley Speedster Ultra Classic
2:51:48 finish time is an American and World 50k road best
STANFORD, CA - Running in a race "engineered to be the fastest ultramarathon in America," Alex Tilson won Silicon Valley Speedster Ultra Classic in 2:51:48 on Saturday, November 2, 2002. Pending ratification, the time is a new official American and World 50k road record. The time would also best the official American track record, though it falls just short of the unofficial American road record.
The official American 50k road record is 3:00:00, set in 1982 by Jeff Wall. The official world 50k road record is 2:55:45, set by Shane Downes in 1995. The official American 50k track record is 2:52:47, set by Barney Klecker in 1981. The unofficial American 50k road record is 2:50:55, set by Don Paul in 1982.
Aided by the early leadership of Scott Nicholas (who ran a 2:18 marathon debut in June), Tilson ran 37 of his 50 laps within two seconds of his goal pace. "I worked very hard to maintain consistent pacing throughout the race. It is the most efficient way to run. I am proud that my half marathon split (1:12:10) was exactly half of my marathon split (2:24:21)." The course was a one-kilometer (.621 mile) loop around Stanford Stadium, repeated 50 times. Tilsonıs pace translates into 5:31 per mile average pace for the approximately 31.05 mile event.
Tilson, 32 and a resident of Burlingame California, is a life-long endurance athlete, having raced triathlons, clocked a 2:22 marathon, and led seven bike expeditions across multiple continents. He has been organizing and training for this race for over a year. "I ran my first ultramarathon last November. It went fairly well, but I knew that I could get in much better shape and that I could organize a much faster race. I ramped up my mileage very slowly this year, which helped me to avoid injuries. My average training run is now over sixteen miles it seems to have paid off."
"The race was designed to fill a void in the American ultra-running scene. There are some astounding trail runs, and plenty of solid road-runs. There are some great track runs, but we could find no road race that would allow me to run to my potential. When we analyzed existing road races, we found twenty-three different variables that could compromise a finish time goal. This race was then engineered to minimize the negative impact of virtually all of those variables. In that regard, it is a very unique race. It was designed to be an extremely focused product aimed at a very narrow potential customer basethose with eyes on the national record. Because that was our goal, how we spent our energies was very different than that of most races. I know itıs un-American,
but the race offers no t-shirts and no prizes," says Tilson, laughing. "America doesnıt need more prizes and t-shirts, but I do believe that it is lacking for the rebirth of fast ultramarathons, properly and officially run. Record setting is always good for sport. I hope that this reinvigorates American speed-based ultra running. I hope that someone now rises up to trounce that pesky unofficial 50k road record and then moves on to run in the mid-to-low 2:40s. With the right people, the right focus, and the right race, it can happen."Race chair Glenn Carpenter says "We were very lucky to have the skills of some of the best race volunteers in the business. Course certifier Tom Knight has certified over one hundred courses he spent an enormous amount of time dialing-in this course. His effort was pivotal because multiple record attempts at this distance have been plagued by inaccurate and unverifiable courses; Tom virtually eliminated that risk. USATF certified timers Bob Rauch and Bob Workman also worked very hard to ensure that the timing was done exactly by- the-book, that all the laps were counted properly, and that all of the splits were recorded to protocol. This attention to detail should guarantee that the effort stands where other efforts have been bedeviled at the time of ratification."
The race conditions proved to be perfect. Racer Don Hogue says that "It was great to have such an early start, cool temperatures throughout (40 degrees and the start, 55 at the finish), and just about the entire course under a canopy of oak trees."
"Stanford was a natural choice for the race location," said Tilson. "The stadium offers a closed-course loop layout that is perfect for runners, volunteers, and fans. Fans loved being able to watch the entire race from one vantage point. Having one common start, finish, and kilometer split point allowed for real focus and execution on the part of the volunteers.
"In spirit Stanford it is the very heart of Silicon Valley, a region born on generating innovative product. Additionally, it is clearly the focus of the American distance running rebirth. Between the post-collegiate Nike Farm Team successes, Stanfordıs track and cross country titles, the Olympians the programs have spawned, the astounding spring night meets, and the recent National Championships, clearly this place has magic in the air," concludes Tilson.
For a history of 50k record attempts, click here: http://www.americanultra.org/news/2002news/21mar02.html
For the USATF website listing race records, click here: http://www.usatf.org/groups/LDR.asp
Story Links:
American UltraRunning Association - Tilson Breaks American 50KM Record Jinx (Nov. 13, 2002)
Ultramarathon World - Alex Tilson runs 2:51:47 at Silicon Valley 50Km
Palo Alto Daily - Ultra Fast (Nov. 8, 2002)
Runners World - Tilson Breaks 50 Kilometer Records
