[Author’s Note: This is the second article in an 11-part series celebrating legendary aid stations. You can read about the series here.]

After a protracted day of operating over jagged mountains and heat-soaked canyons, runners on the Western States 100 arrive on the Rucky Chucky river crossing of the American River, mile 78 of the race. It is among the most iconic locations in ultrarunning, and annually, it offers runners with an expertise they gained’t neglect.

Ladies’s champion Ruth Croft on the Rucky Chucky river crossing at mile 78 of the 2022 Western States 100. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

The river crossing is split into three sections spanning roughly 50 meters of the course. On the “close to facet,” the place runners arrive first, is a full-service assist station hosted by volunteers from California’s Tamalpa Runners membership. On the “far facet,” there isn’t any assist station, however a drop bag service is offered for runners wishing to alter into dry sneakers and equipment after getting moist on the river. In between the close to facet and the far facet is the river crossing itself, operated by volunteers within the water, consultants in boats on the river, and extra volunteers serving to runners get into and out of the river on either side. At night time, with lights above and below the water, the world appears like one thing from the movie “Apocalypse Now.” Briefly, it’s a unprecedented endeavor.

In the course of the 2021 Western States 100, Cody Lind is refueled by his crew within the assist station earlier than the Rucky Chucky river crossing at mile 78. Picture: iRunFar/Alex Potter

The American River’s movement varies extensively, so how runners cross annually depends upon the river’s water degree. Some years, runners cross on foot whereas holding a rope stretched throughout the river, whereas different years, rafts transport them throughout. In all the 50-year historical past of the race, boats have been used 12 instances, whereas the remainder of the time runners have forded on foot. In my 10 years of operating the race, I took the boats 4 instances and crossed on foot six instances. My desire was most definitely to cross on foot relatively than in a ship, because it allowed me to totally submerge within the life-giving waters of the American River and soak up myself within the full expertise of the race.

The Rucky Chucky river crossing throughout the 2023 Western States 100, a 12 months when boats have been used to cross the river. Picture: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks

Moreover, runners, pacers, and crews have decisions concerning the river crossing. Crews and pacers can entry the close to facet assist station by way of a automobile shuttle service operated by the occasion. On the far facet, nonetheless, if crews wish to entry their runners, they hike about three miles down the course from the parking space simply above the Inexperienced Gate Help Station at mile 80 of the race.

Whereas the hike could be arduous, particularly at night time, accessing their runner from the far facet permits crews to benefit from one of many distinctive elements of the Western States 100. The race permits crews to accompany their runner, together with their pacer, for all the two-mile stretch between the river crossing and the Inexperienced Gate Help Station.

For spectators eager to expertise one of the distinctive elements of the Western States 100, a visit right down to the Rucky Chucky river crossing on race day is a should. And, for the runners themselves, particularly those that have waited years to achieve entry into the race, the singular expertise of Rucky Chucky will seemingly stand the check of time as one of many seminal experiences of their operating lives. I do know it has for me.

Bottoms up!

AJW’s Beer of the Week

This week’s beer of the week comes from Moonraker Brewing Firm in Auburn, California. Vespers 9 is a scrumptious milk stout that’s candy and silky with a contact of caramel. In no way bitter, Vespers 9 is a stout to be savored and finest consumed by itself. It’s an ideal stout for a cold winter night.

Name for Feedback

• Have you ever been to the Rucky Chucky assist station as crew, spectator, or runner?
• What are your recollections of it?