Story And Interviews By Dana “Mud N Guts” Miller
Looking back, 1983 was the year Wasatch earned recognition as a legitimate 100-mile trail race. The first 3 years (1980, 1981, 1982) proved Wasatch was the toughest of the four existing 100-hundred-mile trail races (Western States, Old Dominion, Leadville and Wasatch). It was so tough, in fact, that it was in danger of becoming known as a hiking/orienteering adventure rather than a “running race.” 1983 changed all that.
Wasatch even had an official poster in 1983.
Steve Baugh (pictured scaling infamous Chinscraper) was
embarrassed that the photographer made it look so brutal.
(poster in possession of Paul Alsop)
Wasatch was the last of 1983’s four 100-mile trail races. That year, Western States had 282 entrants, with 196 (70%) finishing. Runners in Virginia’s Old Dominion 100 fared significantly worse, with only 9 of 61 (15%) finishing. Colorado’s brand-new Leadville 100 saw 10 of 44 (23%) runners make it to the finish line. Cumulatively, only 55% of runners who started a 100-mile trail race in 1983 finished. That collective figure was an accurate prediction of how the 1983 Wasatch field would fare.
Word of Californian Ben Dewell’s 1982 Wasatch 100 30-hour victory trickled out through Utah’s small mountain running community. Somewhere along the line, it reached an enclave of eccentric yet gifted, hardcore mountain runners living together at Alta ski resort, near the top of one of Wasatch’s canyons. They lived to ski and run–working at whatever jobs the local ski resorts provided, earning enough to ski, buy running shoes, beer and occasional race entries.
Calling themselves “The Wolf Pack”, they relished pushing each other to the breaking point in training. Fastest among the Wolf Pack was Pikes Peak winner, Olympic marathon trials qualifier and Desert News Marathon champion Creighton King. Creighton won the 1983 Pikes Peak Marathon and was featured on the cover of November’s (1983) Ultrarunning magazine. Hot on his heels was equally gifted (but perhaps less disciplined) Jared Higgins. Jared hadn’t enjoyed Creighton’s successes reaching the podium but some felt he was even more talented. Trailing this duo was “stubby and slow” Rob Landis.
“Stubby and slow” Rob Landis at Big Mountain Pass (39 miles).
He had a 1 hour, 39-minute lead at this point.
(photo by Mary Dewell, courtesy of Ben Dewell)
“Stubby and slow” is a poor description of Rob Landis but is, perhaps, accurate compared to his lanky Wolf Pack buddies. Still (in 2020) a nationally ranked age-group cross-country ski racer, Rob finished 5th in the 1983 Pikes Peak Marathon, just 11 minutes behind winner Creighton King and six minutes behind 1983 Western States and 1981 Hawaii Ironman winner, Jim Howard. Rob even bested eventual 1984 Western States 100 winner Jim King by 8 minutes in the 25.8-mile, high altitude Pikes Peak race.
During their weekly “run ‘til you puke” interval sessions at the University of Utah’s track, the Wolf Pack determined that Rob would never be fast enough to win a marathon or Pikes Peak. Instead, he was designated as the Pack’s best hope to claim the winner’s title in the 1983 Wasatch 100.
(Landis Discussing The Wolf Pack)
While today’s ultra-runners benefit from endless training resources and over 40 years of collective wisdom, 1983 Wasatch starters had few places to turn. Based on Wolf Pack alpha male Creighton King’s successes, Rob Landis built his training around two key workouts: Long runs and track intervals. While continuing weekly University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT) track intervals with the Wolf Pack, Rob extended his long runs to include back-to-back 50-milers, covering the entire Wasatch 100 course in a single weekend. Typically, Saturday took him from East Layton’s start to the mid-way point at Mountain Dell golf course near Lambs Canyon. Spending Saturday night in a stashed sleeping bag near the 7th green, he often surprised more than one golfer as he emerged bleary-eyed from his sleeping bag on Sunday morning before heading off on the final 50 miles to Wasatch’s Midway finish line.
(Rob Landis Talking About His Training Plan)
1982 winner Ben Dewell felt compelled to return to Wasatch because he had unfinished business. In his mind, and among his elite Western States 100 running friends, he had to run Wasatch in under 24 hours in order for it to “really count.” Although he won the 1982 race by over 5 hours, he was embarrassed by his “slow” 30:05 time and knew he could go much faster. Another victory was secondary to covering the course in less than one day. His sixth-place finish at the 1983 Western States (18:12) three months earlier underscored his readiness to break 24 hours at Wasatch.
(Ben Dewell Regarding His Sub-24 Hour Run)
Ben sent in his $40 entry fee on August 12th, four weeks before race day. He included a note to race director Steve Baugh, inquiring about course markings and requesting topo maps. In a handwritten reply, Steve explains his course marking efforts but cautions Ben: “Unfortunately, some of the [archery deer] hunters pull our flags off.” Steve’s advice was to rely on the narrative directions but concluded by saying: “Many of our competitors like the orienteering aspect of the run.” Included with the letter were 7.5-minute maps with the course highlighted in yellow. Citing “tight cash flow”, Steve asked Ben to reimburse him $18 for the maps, $1.26 for the mailing tube plus postage.
Handwritten letter from Race Director Steve Baugh to Ben Dewell.
(courtesy of Ben Dewell)
In preparation for the 1983 race, Steve Baugh supplemented his folksy narrative directions with “1 mile = 1 square” hand drawn grid maps. While not detailed enough for actual route finding, the grid maps did provide runners an overall sense of the course’s numerous twists and turns.
Rob “Old Goat” Volkenand created his own key for the new Section
1 “1 square is approximately 1 mile” map (Start to Maintenance Sheds Checkpoint at Mile 14).
(courtesy of Rob Volkenand)
The women’s side of the race came down to one entrant…30-year old proven and talented Laurie Staton. Although she hadn’t entered the race since a historic “first time ever for anyone” tie for first place finish in 1980, that doesn’t mean Laurie was home sitting on the couch. Undeterred by few women competitors braving races on the trails, Laurie continued to demonstrate her “I can do anything I put my mind to” attitude learned from adventurous and progressive parents. She competed often and continued building her endurance and speed in ultradistance events. For example, less than 18 months after Wasatch, Laurie won the Oregon TAC (The Athletic Congress) 50-miler in Oregon is an impressive 6 hours, 53 minutes (8:15 per mile).
Laurie Staton at the finish line of the 1987 Wasatch, which she won in record time.
(photo courtesy of Dana Miller)
I’m sure Laurie encouraged other women runners to discover trail running and toe Wasatch’s starting line. Loving the trails and always a visionary, she was an early ambassador for Wasatch and ultra-distance trail racing. Interestingly, there were 21 women among the 196 Western States 100 finishers in 1983. However, none braved Wasatch that year, perhaps due to its reputation as stupidly difficult and having poor course markings.
41-year old Paul Alsop lived in Fair Oaks (CA) just a few miles from the Western States 100 Auburn finish line. His love for horses and trail running brought him into contact with both the Tevis Cup endurance horse racing crowd and the tightknit group of early Western States 100 runners. Paul heard frequent chatter about a new 100-miler in Utah and Wasatch’s difficulty. Having previously lived in Park City (UT) just a stone’s throw from the Wasatch course, Paul loved the Wasatch Mountains. If he was going to attempt a 100-miler, it had to be Wasatch.
(Paul Alsop Discussing “Why Enter”)
Paul’s training on the Western States trails introduced him to two legends, Jim Howard and Sally Edwards. Jim Howard won Western States in 1983 (16:07) and Sally won the women’s division in 1980 (22:13). Over the course of many shared miles, Paul picked their brains about 100-mile trail racing: Pacing; equipment; eating and drinking; and dealing with the inevitable pain.
During the summer prior to Wasatch, Paul made several trips back to Utah in an attempt to learn the course. He laminated Steve Baugh’s narrative directions and carried them with him on the course. By the time race day rolled around, Paul had covered most of the course and all of the really “sketchy” sections…in daylight, of course. That fact would create nightmares during the race.
It’s fun to look at Paul’s 1983 Wasatch packing list. Divided into four categories (medicines, clothes, food and miscellaneous), it reflects ultramarathon wisdom of the time. Under “Medicines”, everything makes sense except “suppositories”. “Ding Dongs” in the “Food” category is hilarious.
Paul Alsop’s 1983 Wasatch packing list.
(courtesy of Paul Alsop)
The 1983 Wasatch course included two significant changes. The bushwhacking section between Alexander Springs and Lambs Canyon underpass was simplified after all but three of the previous year’s 19 starters couldn’t figure it out, lost precious time and ended up dropping out in the dark without flashlights. Instead, the 1983 course turned southwest at Alexander Springs, then followed the road uphill and east past Mountain Dell golf course to an aid station at the Lambs Canyon exit off I-80.
Secondly, just prior to the 1982 race, word reached the local Forest Service office that the Wasatch 100 course included several miles of trail (miles 88 to 93) in the Lone Peak Wilderness area east of Alpine, Utah. The Forest Service contacted race director Steve Baugh, relaying the message that “we’re aware of the route but won’t stop the race if you find a new route next year”. So, instead of turning northwest at about Mile 88 into the Lone Peak Wilderness, the 1983 course turned east at about Mile 82, following a rough 4×4 road to the top of American Fork Canyon (now Pole Line Pass aid station), then down the rugged Snake Creek Canyon road towards Heber Valley. The new finish was in the park at Midway, right behind the Mormon church in the center of town.
Wasatch’s new finish line at sleepy Midway’s town square.
(photo by Mary Dewell, courtesy of Ben Dewell)
Even though, in race director Steve Baugh’s opinion “Many of our competitors like the orienteering aspect of the run…”, most entrants were justifiably nervous that sparse course markings could jeopardize chances of a finish. Responding to a letter from Oregonian Rene “Fire Eagle” Casteran, Steve Baugh explained: “Right now we have about 10 people who are working on this year’s run. We have split the course up into sections which we are responsible to mark. Even though we are going to make a good effort to mark the course, I cannot guarantee that you will not get lost.”
Letter from Race Director Steve Baugh to Rene “Fire Eagle” Casteran.
(courtesy of Rene Casteran)
Steve went on to share what, in my opinion, is a clear statement of his vision for Wasatch:
“We are not a big-time operation and I am not sure I would ever want this run to be big time. I would rather see this run stay more primitive requiring runners to rely on their own abilities, resources and instincts.”
As a side note, it’s almost comical to imagine what race director Steve Baugh was going through in 1983. He didn’t have the benefit of a GPS to map the course. There was no internet, no Google Earth, no email and few cell phones. In fact, office computers had appeared less than 5 years earlier. Hand-written letters and paper topo maps were about as advanced as it could get.
Trail ultra-running really took root in the U.S. during the early 1980’s. Fledgling Ultrarunning magazine’s two editors attempted Wasatch in 1982, with co-editor Peter Gagarin chronicling his DNF tale in the November 1982 edition (pages 12-13). The growth of trail ultrarunning and Wasatch’s notoriety as “barely do-able” attracted 41 entrants to the 1983 race.
When ’82 winner Ben Dewell arrived at the traditional Sugarhouse Park pre-race meeting, he immediately sensed that Wolf Pack member Rob Landis was the hometown favorite. At the time, Auburn, California was the center of United States’ trail ultrarunning and the Western States 100 defined the sport. Despite winning Wasatch the year before and with three Western States 100 finishes (with a best time of 18:12 and three times in the top-10), he knew Utah wanted to crown its own champion.
At the meeting, Race Director Steve Baugh introduced a new race winner’s award. Earlier that summer, Steve and friend Joe Adams were previewing the first section of the course, between the top of Chinscraper (mile 5) and Francis Peak (mile 11). Joe found an old, totally dry and pristine deer skull near the trail and put it in his pack. As they continued south, Joe suggested that the deer skull would be the perfect Wasatch winner’s award. Ever alert to fun and off-the-wall ideas to compliment the race’s inherent silliness, Steve latched onto Joe’s idea. So, the very first “Coveted Golden Skull” award became, well, coveted by the runners who had dreams of reaching the finish line first. Deer skulls on future Coveted Golden Skull awards were ceramic.
(Steve Baugh Talking About The Golden Skull Award)
In 1983, only the overall race winner earned the Coveted Golden Skull. Thanks to Laurie Staton’s lobbying efforts on behalf of women runners, in 1984, both male and female winners received the award.
Race founder and director Steve Baugh introduces the first
“Coveted Golden Skull”winner’s award at the 1983 prerace meeting.
(photo by Mary Dewell, courtesy of Ben Dewell)
The starting field included 1982 winner Ben Dewell and runners from 14 states. Utah lead the way with 16 entrants followed by California (6) and Colorado (3). Laurie Staton was again the only woman entered, returning after her tied-for-first-place finish in the inaugural 1980 race. Several other runners in the 1983 field (i.e.: Rick May, Fred Riemer, Rob Volkenand and Fred Denys) would go on to become legendary Wasatch “repeat offenders” over the ensuing years. The oldest competitor was 53-year old Ralph Carlson (Salt Lake City, UT). 20-year old Stan Elton (Salt Lake City, UT) was the youngest. Next youngest was 22-year old Jay Aldous, also from Salt Lake City. Jay finished in 32:09 and more amazingly, in 2019, finished in 26:09…36 years later!
In its first three years, only 5 runners of 31 starters made it to the finish line. Of those 31 previous starters, the following returned for the 1983 race (year, result):
- William Athey – 1982, finished in 35:25
- Gary Cross – 1982 dropped at Millcreek Canyon (65 miles)
- Ben Dewell – 1982, finished first in 30:05
- James Gillis – 1982, finished in 35:25
- Bob Haynes – 1982 dropped at Millcreek Canyon (65 miles)
- Leland Jonas – 1982 dropped at Brighton (75 miles)
- Rick May – 1981 dropped at Affleck Park (35 miles)
- Fred Pilon – 1982 dropped at Brighton (75 miles)
- Laurie Staton – 1980, finished tied for first in 35:01
- Alan Weeks – 1982 dropped at Lambs Canyon (51 miles)
List of 41 starters of the 1983 Wasatch. 19 would finish.
(courtesy of Rene Casteran)
With six 1982 DNF-ers returning for another crack at a finish, it’s possible that Steve Baugh’s cleverly taunting “Anonymous Club” membership played a role. In Wasatch’s early years, DNF-ers were automatically inducted into Wasatch’s shameful “Anonymous Club”, where they remained until officially completing the race. Anonymous Club members even received a signed certificate as a reminder of their woeful status.
Ideal weather greeted the 41 runners at the 5:00 a.m. start. Eventual 4th place finisher Charles Ferguson wrote: “The weather had been unsettled for a few days but race day came with clear skies, calm winds, and moderate temperatures.” Most entrants just hoped to survive. Perhaps only three (Landis, Dewell and Gary Cross) dreamed about an overall win. Rob knew the course as well as anyone and had confidence in his Wolf Pack training bouts and outstanding Pikes Peak Marathon performance just three weeks earlier.
East Layton starting line of the 1983 Wasatch.
Notice the runner in the red/black shirt carrying a paper bag containing his race food!
(photo by Mary Dewell, courtesy of Ben Dewell)
(Rob Landis Talking About Landis Springs)
Benefiting from intimate course knowledge and incredible uphill strength, Landis cruised through the 14-mile Francis Peak aid station in a blistering 2 hours, 50 minutes, 46 minutes ahead of 1982 winner Ben Dewell. Ben Dewell, a 3-time Western States 100 finisher, was confident in his conservative pace, especially in light of his Top 10 18:13 finish at Western States ten weeks earlier. By 52.8 miles at Mountain Dell (now known as Lambs Canyon), Landis’ led Dewell and Coloradoan Gary Cross by almost 2 hours. Cross may have been feeling the effects of his 7th place (of 44 starters and 10 finishers) at the inaugural Leadville 100 just two weeks earlier. Landis ran the first 52.8 miles, including route-finding in Hardscrabble Canyon, in 9 hours and 25 minutes! From Lambs Canyon to the finish line, Dewell continued closing the gap on Landis but never got close enough to seriously threaten Landis’ huge early lead. Landis carved 8 hours off the previous course record, finishing in 22:04. Ben finished in 22:50, 46 minutes behind Rob Landis, but 7 hours, 15 minutes ahead of his 1982 winning time.
1983 entrants included a relay team from the Larchmont Track Club in Salt Lake City (UT). Landis was so dominant that he even ran away from the relay team runners, gaining an hour lead by Lambs Canyon (52.8 miles). At Brighton (mile 75.6), Rob was still 37 minutes ahead. The relay runners didn’t pass Landis until the final 5 miles, finishing just 22 minutes before Rob arrived at Midway. This was the first and last time a relay team toed the starting line.
Ben Dewell, experienced and well-conditioned, ran strong and steady the entire distance. He shared that he never consciously “raced” but, instead, ran how he felt and let the finishing order take care of itself. His primary goal was to run Wasatch “in less than a day”. Accomplishing that, he could now return to California’s trail ultra-running community with his head held high.
20-year old Stan Elton (foreground) and Ben Dewell approach the Affleck Park
aid station (mile 35.2). Stan finished 6th in 29:04 and Ben finished 2nd in 22:50.
(photo by Mary Dewell, courtesy of Ben Dewell)
The first two runners to finish Wasatch under 24 hours are all smiles at the finish line.
Winner Rob Landis in 22:04 (left) and men’s runner-up Ben Dewell (right) in 22:50.
(photo by Mary Dewell, courtesy of Ben Dewell)
Two Western States veterans finished in 3rd and 4th place. Gary Cross (Boulder, CO), among potential winners at the start, finished in 26:06. Idahoan Charles (Chuck) Ferguson followed in 26:27.
Charles wrote a very honest and insightful story of his 1983 Wasatch experience. Sadly, Charles passed away at age 58 in 1998, following a heart attack suffered while climbing Wyoming’s Gannet Peak. Charles was a talented runner in his own right, winning the Boise Ridge 100 Miler (1985) and posting the best North American 24-hour performance of 137 miles in 1987.
Chuck Ferguson (L) and brother David Ferguson (R) In Jones Creek, Lost River Range (ID),
after climbing No Regret Peak July of 1994.
(Rick Baugher photo)
Chuck Ferguson – 83 Wasatch Story (click link)
Meanwhile, back in the pack, Oregonian Rene Casteran and friend Rob “Old Goat” Volkenand were battling demons. In his 1983 Wasatch race report titled “Joys and Sorrows”, Rene Casteran wrote:
“After we reached Catherine Pass, at 10,480’ and mile 78 or so we descended into the abyss of Dry Fork Canyon. Here things fell apart for us, as we wandered up and down, over and about sheer drop-offs and loose boulders for about 2 hours. LOST. Having hoped to get to the American Fork check-point (82.5 mi) before dawn, we now saw the sun rising and we were still lost.
Help arrived, and promise of a way out was offered. Rob checked his watch (he doesn’t DNF). I sat down demoralized and exhausted. I wanted to quit. I had already quit mentally! As I sat there Rob and the guide took off. I was filled with mixed emotions. I was mad at the race, I was mad at myself for having gotten lost and now having to face my own weakness (hard to swallow at the end of a 100-miler), and I was angry with Rob – for not succumbing to my depression, for being strong and still positive, for dismissing me so easily and taking off.
Excerpt from Rene ”Fire Eagle” Casteran’s 1983 Wasatch story.
(courtesy of Rene Casteran)
Well, hell, I got up reluctantly and followed. But this was no longer our careful even pacing. It was kamikaze, go for it, breakneck speed. I felt a perverse sense of impending doom. Either I would take a spectacular fall and be carried out in a body bag, or perhaps reach depletion many miles from the finish and wander aimlessly thereafter – or even make it to the finish line intact only to do 30 hours and 1 second. In a weird way, I wanted to prove Rob wrong – we couldn’t make it, I thought, we’ll die – you just wait and see.
American Fork at 82.5 miles and Rob strips off all the nighttime clothes leaving packs, food and maps. He was single minded to push for it all. In an attempt to add to the punishment, I declared we must run the next 3 miles (all uphill) before the remaining 14 miles of descent (all now dirt road). I’m now in a self-destruction mood. I must admit something snapped inside me. I’ve never run that way before and I don’t particularly like being that way. It made me an isolated individual, no longer US running the way I idealized this run to be. Eventually I find myself ahead somewhat, but I can hear Rob’s water bottle sloshing behind. I know I’ll see him on the downhill. I decide to push, push and push on down, all the while expecting disaster. Emotions of my previous sickness surface. Thoughts of other disappointing finishes this year haunt ne while having to admit my frailty and having wanted to quit a short while ago. And still the malevolent thought of proving Rob wrong, of thrashing myself for all I was worth, only to say I told you so. All of these are not very flattering self-realizations to make.
Rob was indeed right! Even regardless of the time. You can give it your all. You can go for it if capable. (Perhaps more important in how one does it rather than the result). Well I did make it under 30 hours after all and there’s the irony and the bittersweet of this run. Rob did not! There was only one turn on this road to go off course. The man who helped me get well, got me there, leaded me on – eventually DNF lost at 90 miles. We haven’t talked much since the run, but I owe him everything. We should have been together.”
Renae Casteran – Joys And Sorrows Story Of 1983 Wasatch (click link)
Rob “Old Goat” Volkenand, who passed away in the summer of 2019, remembered this now legendary incident a bit differently. In 2018, 35 years after the fact, he shared his story with me from the living room of his home in Lake Havasu, AZ.
Rob “Old Goat” Volkenand relives his 1983 Wasatch mishap at his home
in Lake Havasu City, AZ (2018) a year prior to his death.
(photo courtesy of Dana Miller)
As Rob and Rene Casteran were pushing hard together after Pole Line Pass (mile 87), Rene had to make a potty stop and told Rob “just keep running, I’ll catch up.” Both were now on the rough 4×4 Snake Creek Canyon road that eventually drops them down into Heber Valley and the finish at Midway. Within a short distance, Rob encountered a fork in the road. There were no course markings. If he stayed to the left, the road went slightly uphill to the northeast before disappearing. The right-hand fork looked equally well traveled but curved to the southwest and downhill. Knowing that the course made a huge descent to Midway, Rob’s foggy brain reasoned that turning right was the correct route. Little did he know that this wrong turn would forever memorialize that fork in the road as “Old Goat Junction.”
Rene, bladder empty and running hard to catch Rob, stayed left (the correct route) at the junction and never did catch Rob. Finishing 5th of 41 starters in an outstanding 28:50, Rene’s celebration stopped when he learned Rob hadn’t finished yet. Where was Rob?
Well, Rob was lost and generally headed southeast towards the Cascade Springs and Deer Creek Reservoir area. As the morning wore on, he ran out of water and food and began to doubt that he was on course. In his delirium, he thought he saw other runners off through the trees. These fatigue-induced hallucinations gave him just enough encouragement to keep going the same direction rather than turning back.
Eventually, Rob realized he’d screwed up but still found his way to the finish line at Midway. He’d ran about 25 miles after making the wrong turn at mile 90. True to his nature, Rob apologized to race director Steve Baugh for getting lost.
Rene Casteran was right, he and Old Goat should have been together.
Even 35 years later and despite the debilitating effects of a serious stroke, 87-year old Rob Volkenand still remembered his first Wasatch and what went wrong after Brighton (75.6 miles). In 2018, I had the pleasure of interviewing Old Goat at his home in Arizona. He was obviously suffering the speech and memory losses resulting from a stroke. Still, with gentle reminders, he was able to share details of those eventful miles. To me, this audio clip is the most poignant piece of Wasatch history I’ve found.
(Rob Volkenand Talking About Old Goat Jct – click link)
Old Goat and Fire Eagle weren’t the only runners who got lost in the dark near the top of Dry Fork Canyon. Paul Alsop, despite previewing this tough section during training, quickly realized that a moonless night changed things dramatically. A half-dozen plastic ribbons tied to low lying grass weren’t enough to keep him and a half dozen other frustrated runners on the faint deer trail the course followed on the descent. Paul figures he lost over 2 hours’ time before seeing a friend’s motorcycle headlight far below, which helped him realize he needed to veer far to the south to avoid the dangerous cliffs and drop-offs.
(Paul Alsop Discussing Dry Fork – click link)
Paul Alsop did his best not to let the delay get the best of him and got his head back in the race after finding the trail again. He went on to finish in 7th place in a very respectable 31:31. Over the years, Paul finished Wasatch 4 times with a personal best of 28:56 in 1987. Even now, at age 79 (2021), he treasures that sub-30 hour belt buckle!
7th place finisher, Paul Alsop, still treasures his sub-30 hour belt buckle.
(photo courtesy of Dana Miller)
Laurie Staton, 1980 co-winner and the only woman to enter through 1983, ran a steady race, hitting Lambs Canyon (mile 52) in 15:25 and Brighton Store (mile 75) in 24:45. Her course knowledge kept her from joining the throng lost in upper Dry Fork Canyon. As proof of her excellent pacing, Laurie ran the final 17.5 miles in 3 hours, 34 minutes—9 minutes faster than male winner, Rob Landis! Her 32:02 finishing time was another women’s victory, and 9th place overall. She finished 2 hours, 59 minutes faster than her 1980 winning time…on a much more difficult course.
Laurie Staton (left) and a relay team runner (right)
replace fluids at the Affleck Park aid station (mile 35).
(photo from Canyon Times, Sept. 15-29, 1983).
In a post-race interview with Canyon Times reporter Mark Wilson, Staton reflected: “I knew what to expect and I came back this year to try to win it. I had a lot of problems with the dark. With no moon out, it was hard to stay on the trail, and it really slowed me down.”
Nick Marshall’s 1983 Ultradistance Summary highlights Laurie Staton’s second win and the plight of women’s trail running at the time:
Dewell was joined by James Gills, Bill Athey and Laurie Staton-Carter as the first two-time conquerors of the Front. The only woman yet to try Wasatch, Staton-Carter didn’t appreciate being given 9th place in the men’s category because there was no women’s division. After two months of cajoling and complaining to the Wasatch management, she got her wish for a separate female division in 1984 and rejoiced: “Hooray…and let’s hope some more women enter!” (page 55).
1983 Ultradistance Summary Article About Wasatch (click link)
Hardscrabble Canyon, stretching from the Narrows (mile 22) to City Creek Pass (mile 30), remains the wildest, untamed section in Wasatch’s 40-year history. The final 4 miles to City Creek Pass included over 20 stream crossings and NO trail…just occasional ribbons. Hardscrabble let leaders Landis and Dewell pass through unscathed but got vengeance on Alan Weeks and Phil Krumm, running together. Leaving the 14.6-mile aid station, they were in 11th and 12th places. Eight miles later, they missed a turn and ended up lost and bushwhacking. Alan recalls:
We literally got lost as the canyon we were running down got narrower and narrower. Once we realized we were off course, it was too late. We spent several hours scrambling up and down steep, shale-covered slopes to the left and right of us, searching for the trail.
We eventually got back on course, but were now near the back of the pack. We ran hard to make up lost time and actually passed several runners. However, after the Millcreek checkpoint (mile 62) as we were dragging ourselves up the trail from Dog Lake to Desolation Lake early Sunday morning, we were trashed. I remember being down on my hands and knees, literally crawling up the dirt trail, totally exhausted and demoralized, the proverbial “I’d have to die to get better”, and crying “Take me now, Jesus!”
While Krumm dropped out at Brighton (mile 75), Alan Weeks somehow found his second wind and “took off sprinting…like a cougar in pursuit of a mule deer” after Catherine Pass (mile 78). He pushed hard over the last 25 miles and was rewarded with a new course record…for the slowest finishing time: 35 hours, 45 minutes. After finishing in ’83 and ’84, Weeks DNF-ed the next two years.
Alan Weeks in 1985, with sons Andrew (left) and Patrick (right),
proudly wearing his 1984 Wasatch t-shirt.
(photo courtesy of Alan Weeks)
In 2019, he returned for Wasatch’s 40th anniversary “40 Hours for 40 Years” pioneers’ reunion event but dropped out at Big Mountain (mile 35).
Alan Weeks 35 years after his first Wasatch. Still undeterred at age 72,
he’s convinced he has one more Wasatch in him
and is entered in the 2021 race.
(photo courtesy of Alan Weeks)
The Canyon Times article reflects ultrarunning’s infancy and the awe Wasatch’s distance and difficulty generated. It features quotes from Rob Landis, Ben Dewell, Laurie Staton, Gary Cross and race director Steve Baugh. Wilson’s results even include names of the seven Larchmont Track Club relay team runners!
Canyon Times News Article – 100 Rugged Miles – Sept 1983 (click link)
5 p.m. on Sunday found 21 of 41 starters (51%) at the finish line under the 36-hour time limit (2 under 24 hours and another 4 under 30 hours). Old Goat Volkenand was still lost somewhere out on the course. Of the 22 who earned a DNF and induction into Wasatch’s Anonymous Club, 4 dropped out at Brighton (mile 75.6), 8 at Lambs Canyon (mile 52.8), 3 at Mountain Dell (mile 51), 1 at Big Mountain (mile 39) and 3 at Affleck Park (mile 35.2).
By 1983, Wasatch had gained widespread local media attention. The Ogden Standard Examiner photo at the start showed
(L to R) Ralph Carlson (#104), Rob Volkenand (in hat in the background),
Ben Dewell (dark shirt in background), and Paul Alsop (on right, with glasses).
(article courtesy of Paul Alsop)
All in all, Wasatch was kind to the field of 41 runners. Laurie Staton (1980), Ben Dewell (1982), and Floridians Bill Athey (1982) and James Gillis (1982), became the first runners to complete Wasatch more than once. 41 entrants were 10 more than had started in the first 3 years combined. Finally, 21 (17 rookie) finishers added their names to the list of 5 runners who’d finished in the first three years (1980-1982).
1983 Results – Compliments Of Ben Dewell (click link)
Ultrarunning magazine coverage of the 1983 Wasatch written by co-editor Fred Pilon.
Fred finished 13th in 33:04 on his second attempt at Wasatch.
(used with permission by Ultrarunning magazine)
© 1980