I had a bit of spare time yesterday, so decided to take a look through the list of registered runners for the Bighorn 100 (yeah, I know: need to get a life). I didn't recognize too many names so decided to do a bit of stalking by way of the Athlinks database. Here's what I've come up with in terms of competition and characters. First the guys I know or know of:

1. Karl Meltzer. Have to put him first on the list as he's probably one of, if not the, best-known and respected 100 milers in the country. After his victory at the Massanutten 100 on the east coast last month, I believe he has succeeded in winning at least one 100 miler every year for the last 10 years: definitely the guy to beat. In addition, he holds the course record at Bighorn (20:12), and according to notes on his website, it sounds like he's in fine fettle and ready to run hard.


2. John Anderson. He beat me at the Collegiate Peaks 50 by five minutes in early May (five minutes off Anton K's CR), he has 100-mile experience and an impressive set of results from '08. From running, racing and chatting with him at Buena Vista, I know he's in good form and well trained.


3. Harry Harcrow. Met Harry in Buena Vista too. I think I got about two sentences in during our half-hour conversation. This guy can talk. He's also a very experienced 100 miler and has gone sub-20 at Leadville (19:33) at least once in addition to finishing runner up to Anton K in '07. Third at Bighorn in '07. I doubt he'll win, but I wouldn't bet against him finishing top three.

4. Bryan Goding. A Fort Collins local and good friend. Bryan set the course record at the Wyoming Double Marathon a couple of weeks back (bettering Hal Koerner's long-standing mark) and seems to be running strong. He hasn't beaten me in a while, but this will be his fourth 100 after strong finishes at Leadville and Bighorn last year, and Leadville in '07. He is Mr. Consistency with his pacing and will pick off anyone dropping off the pace from the front.


5. Pete Stevenson. Another Fort Collins'ite and friend. Pete ran the Vermont 100 last year in 22 hours or so, and had a good run at the Ghost Town 38.5 in New Mexico early in the year. He's been laying low on the racing front since then, but I happen to know he's put in a very solid block of training, is in good form and ready to race.

6. Tim Long. Seems he picked up a bit of a knee issue in the last few weeks, but from last blog post sounds like he'll run. Won Ghost Town 38.5, beating Andy Jones Wilkins by five seconds earlier in the year


Now some of those that I don't know, but look like they could be in the running based on previous results:

1. Phil Shaw. Third at Tahoe Rim 100 in '07 (20:50). Also appears to have low-16 minute 5k leg speed, 1:15 half. Ran 21:50 at Leadville in '07; second at Cascade Crest last year (21:15).


2. Cameron Hanes. This guy appears to be something of a legend and TV personality in the bow hunting world (!). From a cursory scan of his website, it sounds like he's been training pretty hard for Bighorn and, well, looks to be tough as nails and enjoys downing bears with his bow and arrow. Pretty good credentials for running 100 miles in the mountain wilderness, I'd say. Oh, and he was third in the 50 miler last year.


3. Trevor Hostetler. Ran a 6:36 at the Oregon Road Runners Autumn Leaves 50 miler last year. I'm assuming this is a flat course, but that's still pretty fast.

4. Sander Nelson. Came second at San Diego 100 in '07 (18:40)


5. Jesse Berwald. Fourth at Cascade Crest last year in 21:47, 1:21 half in February.

6. Hank Dart. Sixth at Coyote Two Moon 100k this year. Looks to have put in a solid block of training for BH.


That's all folks. I'm sure there are others I have overlooked, and probably some photos that don't match the person, but I can only reproduce what Google gives me. Good luck to all!