Grand Slam of Ultrarunning

The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning is a set of four of the five most prestigious and oldest 100-mile races contested in the United States, comprising the Old Dominion 100 Mile Endurance Run in Virginia, the Western States 100 in California, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run in Vermont, the Leadville Trail 100 in Colorado, and the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run in Utah. A small number of people manage to complete four in one calendar year.

For other uses, see Grand Slam (disambiguation).

History

The first runner to complete the Grand Slam was Tom Green, 35, of Maryland in 1986 in a combined time of 96 hours, 26 minutes, and 28 seconds. At the time, there were only 4 100-mile races in North America. These were the Old Dominion 100 in Virginia, Western States, Leadville, and Wasatch. Two runners completed the series in 1987 and three in 1988. In 1989, the Vermont 100 was added to the series, and runners could choose between it and Old Dominion. Starting in 2003, Old Dominion was removed from the series. In 2008, Western States was cancelled due to forest fires and the Arkansas Traveller 100 was run in its place.[1] Starting in 2017, Old Dominion was once again added to the series and runners have to complete the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run and three of the other four races to achieve the award. [2]

Today about a dozen runners complete the Grand Slam each year. Entry is limited by lotteries at Vermont, Western States, Leadville, and Wasatch. From 1986 through 2017 there have been 345 official finishers. The fastest time as of 2017 was 69:49:38 by Ian Sharman, 33 of Oregon in 2013. Complete list of finishers. 2013 finishers. In 2015, Junko Kazukawa completed the Grand Slam and the Leadwoman series, becoming the first woman to complete both events in a single year.[3][4] In 2019, Dion Leonard completed the Grand Slam and the Leadman series, becoming the first man to complete both events in a single year. [5]

Controversy

Entry into the Grand Slam is administered by the race committee for the Wasatch 100, which is also the last race in the series, normally held in early September. In 2017 entry costs $80 and must be received before the start of the first race (Western States) in late June.[6] Entered runners who complete the first three races are guaranteed entry into Wasatch without having to go through the lottery. Runners who complete all four races but who do not enter the series are not officially recognized. A list of these so-called "stealth" runners was maintained at https://web.archive.org/web/20120715180450/http://run100s.com/stealth.htm [7]

YearNameOld DominionWestern StatesVermontLeadvilleWasatchTotal time
2002Sam Voltaggio, 51, TX25:19:0028:59:2426:08:2129:00:4634:27:21117:46:31
2004Rob Apple, 43, TN29:11:3728:46:0729:07:3235:08:24122:13:40
2005Rob Apple, 44, TN28:48:3227:43:3229:42:2835:15:46121:30:18
2010Pete Stevenson, 37, CO18:58:4221:48:2824:36:4632:56:1998:20:15
2013Nick Clark, 39, CO16:56:2315:54:3217:06:2920:24:2670:21:50

On Aug. 30, 2013, this page was removed, possibly out of concern that Nick Clark might set a course record without being officially recognized when Wasatch was to be held on Sept. 6-7, 2013.[8] In addition, the following text was added to http://www.run100s.com/gs.htm

MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND SLAM OF ULTRARUNNING™ COMMITTEE AND THE WASATCH 100 RACE COMMITTEE
The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning™ Committee and the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run Committee do not endorse, recognize, or ratify anyone or their times involved in the so-called “unofficial” grand slam of ultrarunning. Likewise we do not support, encourage, or sustain anyone involved in this pursuit.
We continue to recognize, applaud, and award the runners who are legitimately registered in and officially complete The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning™.
We also remind all who are observing or otherwise involved that the term “Grand Slam of Ultrarunning™” is a trademark of The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning™ entity, and only those who are official entrants and finishers of The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning™ are entitled to use the term “Grand Slam of Ultrarunning™” in whatever form (including in any form that might cause trademark confusion) in connection with their running endeavors.

Kieren McCarthy questioned the legality of the Wasatch committee taking ownership of the trademark rights, noting that the other races in the series are open to anyone and that the trademark is not registered.[9]

References
  1. Stan Jensen, http://www.run100s.com/slammers.htm retrieved Sept. 5, 2013
  2. Stan Jensen, http://www.run100s.com/gs.htm retrieved Nov. 23, 2017
  3. Fields, Jenn (December 25, 2015). "Denver woman completes Grand Slam of Ultrarunning and Leadwoman". The Denver Post. Denver, Colorado. Archived from the original on 4 June 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  4. Smith, Tonia (January 28, 2016). "Junko Kazukawa: Grand Slammer, Leadwoman, 2x Cancer Survivor". UltraRunning Magazine. Bend, Oregon. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  5. "Finding Gobi Dion Leonard | Dion Leonard | Gobi the Dog| Finding Gobi Book". www.findinggobi.com. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
  6. http://www.wasatch100.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=13
  7. Retrieved from Google cache on Sept. 4, 2013
  8. http://ultrarunnerpodcast.com/grand-slam-of-ultrarunning-drama/
  9. http://gnarlyirishmountainrunner.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-grand-slam-and-basics-of-trademark.html?m=1 Sept. 3, 2013
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