by Cody Harris
For me, World’s End 100k was not a race I really had on my bucket list. Heck, when I signed up for it, I did not even think of it as my “A” race for this year. World’s End was simply a means to qualify for the Western States lottery. However, after training for a few weeks and reviewing the terrain and challenge of the course, World’s End 100k became my “A” race, and boy am I proud that I completed it!
My training started in the bleak days of January, and it was the first time I gave myself 6 months to train for a race. I spent a lot of time running hills and rocky trails at Mount Penn, trying to mimic what I would see at World’s End. It was a huge dedication of time, but it also gave me a sense of confidence as I stepped to the start line, and I felt I had built the ability to not only run the race, but also run it well.
The race starts in the dark, and for the first few minutes everyone runs along an asphalt road in a sea of bobbing headlamps. My wife was at the start line, and I could hear her yelling for me as we turned away from the start area and headed up the road.
I was told about the slow conga line everyone gets trapped in heading into the first climb. I did my best to find a position where I could keep a steady pace as we all worked our way up the hill. While we were climbing, a runner behind me kicked a rock loose and I could hear it crack as it hit boulder after boulder on its tumble down the mountain side. At this point it hit me that none of my runs on Berks County’s rockiest trails could prepare me for what World’s End had in store.
After a second rocky climb, we made our way up the Loyalsock Trail and arrived at the first aid station. From here the trail leveled out slightly, and I had to remind myself to take it easy, conserve my energy, and keep my heart rate down. If I couldn’t do that in the flatter section between High Rock and Sones Pond, there would be no way to do it later in the race. I ran through a tight tunnel of trees as I approached Sones Pond. I could hear people, but couldn’t see anyone until I popped out of the woods, and there was a whole crowd waiting, which was slightly disorienting. Brittni met me at Sones Pond with my first food drop: super salty mashed potatoes and gummy bears.
Leaving Sones Pond, I made a wrong turn on the Link Trail and was directed back by two fellow runners. I was able to return the favor when they missed a switchback a few miles later.
From there, we did another big climb to get to Devil’s Garden, and then started our descent into the World’s End aid station where I refueled on more gummy bears and potato chips. The trail headed back up to Canyon Vista, and while the distance between the World’s End aid station and Canyon Vista is short, only 3 miles, it involved one of the steepest climbs of the race. I took extra snacks with me from Canyon Vista because I knew it would be a very long stretch until I saw my crew again.
The miles ticked by with a creek crossing and some short climbs and descents that were too steep to be called rolling hills, but were still dwarfed by what was to come. After the Coal Mine aid station, I came to an overlook and saw the deep gully that stood between me and High Knob, the next aid station. The view was spectacular, but I had been warned that the next 8 miles were some of the most difficult and hottest of the race, and I wanted to make it to High Knob with plenty of energy left for the second half of the race.
The High Knob aid station was packed with crews, with everyone cheering on the runners as we came through. It was especially exciting to see fellow Pagoda Pacers and get updates on my friends who were also running that day. The vista at High Knob is breathtaking, but as I looked at the horizon all I could think about was that I was currently standing on top of a mountain and the next few miles would take me all the way to the valley below. I started on the very long descent out of High Knob, which really taxed my quads. The next ascent was the hardest of the entire race. It is not the steepest, but it is unrelenting, long, and punishing. Eventually I came to Dry Run aid station, where I refilled my water and saw my crew, but forgot to pick up other food. I didn’t think this would be an issue; I could pick up some food at the next aid station. However, I had forgotten the next aid station was water only which was both a physical and mental setback at that point in the race. My stomach was also starting to turn against me, and even though I was out of snacks, I was worried about my ability to eat more food once I saw my crew again.
I finally came into Brunnerdale aid station, where I picked up Steve, who would pace me for the rest of the race. My spirits perked up again; I now had a running buddy, a pack full of salty potatoes and sugar, and I knew there were only 2 more significant climbs left! Steve kept me accountable, helping me to move at a faster pace on the descents and runnable sections than I would have if I were alone.
We hit the last aid station, Fern Rock, and there were only 6 miles to go and about 90 minutes of day light left. I was supposed to get my headlamp but forgot to pick it up and turned out of the aid station headed towards the trail. I knew I had a few miles of flat, runnable terrain, and one last legendary downhill between me and the finish line.
On the last descent, I went full send. I jokingly told Steve he didn’t have to keep up with me, and promptly threw myself down the hill. Steve did keep up with me though, and we turned into the parking lot. As I came through the parking lot, I saw the banner “Run Like There’s No Tomorrow” ahead of me, and the finish line. My first goal was to finish the race; my second was to finish in the daylight, and I crossed the finish line in 14 hours and 51 minutes, meeting both my goals.
Looking back I could not have asked for a better day. My race played out the way I wanted it too, and I am confident I achieved my best time for the day. I cannot say the race was perfect, but I believe that is as close as it can be. For once I left a race not thinking about what I need to do differently next year. I just kept thinking about wearing the cool belt buckle I had earned.
Before I finish, I would like to thank my wife for the support she provided during the months of training, and the day of the race. Brittni’s willingness to drive through the woods to feed me salty mash potatoes and gummy bears made all the difference. And I also need to thank Steve Vida for taking time out of his weekend to pace me. It was such a mental boost knowing that at mile 50 I had someone joining me for the finish.
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