While the weather was cool at the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase this weekend, the competition was hot. According to La Sportiva Mountain Running team member, Luke Nelson, "This was the definitely the deepest field I've ever raced in." As far as non-ultramarathon trail races, we'd have to agree. Even with the steep competition, La Sportiva Mountain Cup leaders Shiloh Mielke and Megan Kimmel pulled out wins to further consolidate their series leads. Read on for more about the course, the race, the La Sportiva Mountain Cup, the iRunFar.com La Sportiva giveaway, the Mountain Trails Foundation, and, for once, my own race!

The Course The Jupiter Peak Steeplechase above Park City, Utah is a pure mountain running course. Racers toe the line at the base of Park City Mountain Resort at 6,900' and race to the top of the ski area which tops out at 10,000' on Jupiter Peak. The 16 mile (+/-) course climbs through gorgeous aspens and then stands of pines before ending with a scramble up the peak. En route, racers are treated to wonderful views of the forest, old mining facilities, overlooks of Park City and the Uintah Mountains, and sweet alpine crags up top. Ok, runners would be treated to such views if their eyes weren't racing. I know I wasn't looking around much on the way up - too much discomfort for that - and once I reached the top there was 3,100' of bomber single-track that require constant attention. It's worth mentioning that the weather was picture perfect with cool temps, dry air, dry trails, and an overcast sky.

There were plenty of aid stations (five?) and the course was generally well marked. I did briefly take a wrong turn up top that, had I not been corrected, would have taken me down the wrong side of the mountain. At least a few folks (me included believed they were off course during a considerable portion of the descent where the race covers the same trail in both directions. There were arrows point up, but not down.

The Race Holy Moly! When La Sportiva Mountain Runners Luke Nelson and Brad Mitchell finish 8th and 9th at a trail mountain run you know the competition was fierce. Last year, only the men's champion, Bernie Boettcher (1:59:38) , broke two hours. This year five runners broke that benchmark.

Mountain Cup leader and Vasque runner Shiloh Mielke (1:52:16) made the most of his trip west from North Carolina by taking the win. He bested youngster, Noah Hoffman of Aspen, CO (1:53:21) by a minute. While Bernie Boettcher (1:56:24) improved on last year's time by more than three minutes, all that got him this year was third. He was, however, the top master's runner by almost 10 minutes! Local runner Danny Moody (1:57:19) was less than a minute behind Boettcher to earn fourth. The top five was rounded out by Jason Bryant (1:59:51), who went into the race in third spot in the Mountain Cup. Bryant was also the final runner to finish in under two hours.

Tom Haxton of Philadelphia (2:00:32), who went into the race as the LSMC's fifth man, brought home sixth. Other notable male finishers include La Sportiva runners Luke Nelson (8th - 2:03:00), Brad Mitchell (2:03:13), and Karl Meltzer (29th male - 2:28:12). Karl's time and position are not reflective of his fitness - he tweaked his foot during the race and jogged down.