Pemberton 50k Report- Josh Brimhall
16. Feb, 2010 
4 Comments
While taking my annual pilgrimage south to the Pemberton 50k, I spent some time reflecting on the previous seven years I have run this race. Looking back, I realized that the years I’ve run well in this race, I’ve gone on to have a great year of running in general. I’ll attribute this to being in good shape early in the ultrarunning season, which minimizes cramming big miles in preparation for longer races. This being my eighth year in a row at Pemberton, one might think I should “branch-out” a little more with my early season race choices. No thanks.
There’s something nice about the sonoran desert in February. While living in Las Vegas, I can’t claim to have been trudging along in the ice and snow that so many others can during this time of year, but I can admit to needing some diversity in my training locale. Luckily, two of my good friends, Ian Torrance and Hal Koerner had decided they were looking for some diversity as well.
As always, the RD, Brian Wieck puts on a first-class race. Pemberton consists of two loops of varied terrain made up of single-track, wash, and two-track dirt. The surrounding landscape is dappled with saguaro, ocotillo, and sage, with prototypical desert vistas and spires to catch your eye while running. Hal Koerner and I gapped the field almost immediately. The two of us spent the first loop sans head-phones, chatting about the ridiculousness of Paul Dewitt’s 3:11 course record. Both of us agreed that to run a time like that in February would require some serious work in November and December of the preceding months; an effort neither one of us would want to consider.
Yes, the course is pretty fast, but only if you’re willing to prepare early. With both of us coming through the first 15.5 miles in 1:38, we knew any aspirations of a CR would be unattainable. However, there was still some tough running ahead. With talking ceased, we both began an earnest effort to break each other. After working much harder than I wanted, I was able to put about 300 yards on Hal with 8 miles to the finish. The final eight were rough, with me often checking over my shoulder hoping to thwart any last-minute surges from Hal. In the end, I held on for a two minute win and managed to pick up my fourth win in eight tries at this race.
Interestingly, the 2011 version of the Pemberton 50k will take place at 5:00 PM, rather than the typical 7:00 AM start time. I look forward to the change of pace.
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Josh,
You pulled ahead of me in the last 25 yards
of your run. I am a back of the pack clydsdale and earned my 50K P.R.in my
fourth ultra . congratulations on Your win. It was inspiring to hear You tell me that
I was doing a great job when You passed me before Your finish. Now I have the Mesquite Canyon 50 K on my calander.This will be 11
miles from My home in the White tank mountains of west phoenix. You should check it out.
Great run, Josh!
Be sure to keep Hal behind you again come late August!
Or even, late June.
Andy: While I don’t specifically recall the encounter, congratulations on your P.R., Pemberton is a good course for that. Best of luck at Mesquite Canyon!
Nick: Hal will be a force to reckon with come June. The guy is a great all-around runner, and certainly has many people’s attention at W.S. Look forward to next week at the summit!