The Beginning ......
My belt buckle was earned at a very unique and amazing event. The Snowdrop Ultra 55 Hour Race allows all entrants plenty of time (55hrs) to run, walk or crawl to 100 miles. The Snowdrop Foundation helps raise awareness and funds for Pediatric Cancer Research at Texas Children’s Cancer Center.
** In 1955, the late Wendell T. Robie with a party of five horsemen rode the Western States Trail from Squaw Valley, Ca over the northern Sierra Mountain Range to Auburn, Ca proving that horses could still cover 100 miles in one day. He subsequently founded the Western States Trail Foundation and organized the annual Western States Trail Ride, also known as the Tevis Cup “100 Miles – One Day” Ride. The prize for crossing the finish line was a handmade belt buckle. In 1974, Tevis Cup veteran Gordy Ainsleigh joined the horses of the Western States Trail Ride to see if he could complete the course on foot. Twenty-three hours and forty-two minutes later Gordy arrived in Auburn, proving that a runner could indeed traverse the rugged 100 miles in one day. Receiving his belt buckle prize. In 1977, 14 men from four states participated in the 1st official Western States Endurance Run, which was held in conjunction with the Tevis Cup Ride. Now the two events are held on separate weekends. The Western Stares Endurance Run is the oldest, most sought after and one of the hardest 100 mile races. Aways reaching its full entrance quota and draws athletes from across the nation and around the world. All trying to collect a belt buckle of their own.
** the above paragraph was taken in part from the Western States Endurance Run website WSER.org
Trail running has evolved and become a popular way to test the limits of the human body and spirit. Now running a 100 miles in most race events allows you a more lenient cut off time to still receive a prized belt buckle.
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