Antelope Island’s ninth annual Buffalo Run kicks off festivities with 100-mile race

By: Justin Anderson

Today at 11:59 a.m., one minute before race time, runners at Antelope Island’s Buffalo Run were doing pre-run warm-ups. Some were dancing around, shaking out pre-race jitters. Others were receiving support from family and loved ones, and the reality of what they were about to do was setting in.

This weekend marks the ninth annual Buffalo Run. The trail-running event features races that take you across the beautiful scenery of Antelope Island located on the Great Salt Lake. Races will span distances of 25 kilometers, 50 kilometers, 50 miles and 100 miles.

Jim Skaggs, who organized the event, hopes to bring around 850 runners to Antelope Island to compete in the different trail races.

The event began in 2006 when Skaggs, who began volunteering at Antelope Island the previous year, began a small 25k and 50k event that brought around 150 runners to the race. The race has grown over the years, adding a 50-mile option in 2008 and a 100-mile option in 2011. The event is now one of the biggest trail running events in Utah. 

Before the race began, Joe Mosley, 59, of Eugene, Ore., kissed his wife Sharon before setting off on the 100-mile race.

“He’s almost one of the oldest people out here, so it’s really cool,” said Sharon Mosley. “I’m really excited for him.”

Joe attempted a 100-mile race last year in Oregon, but the race was cancelled part-way through because of extreme weather. The Buffalo Run has provided Joe with another opportunity to accomplish his goal of finishing a 100-miler.

Sharon will follow him along on his race, not in person, but by virtue of the new live tracking spreadsheet. This makes it easier for friends and family to know how the runners are doing all along the way, with volunteers and workers located at 22 check points reporting times all along the way.

Matt Williams, who is competing in the 50-mile race this year, is competing in his fourth race on Antelope Island and loves the idea of live tracking.

 “I think it's a great idea,” said Williams. “It's fun for people like me that have a lot of friends running the 100 to be able to follow them along.”

Williams, who is also the editor of www.trailandultrarunning.com, continues to come back to Antelope Island too. 

“I really just enjoy being out on the trails,” said Williams. “It's a good first race to knock off the winter rust and see how things are feeling. It's a perfect kickoff to the year – and Jim puts on a great race with a fantastic atmosphere.”

The 100-mile race began today at noon, with the rest of the races scheduled to take place tomorrow. Runners of the race will run throughout the night until they are finish or drop out of the race. Last year’s median time for completing the race was nearly 26 hours, with a winning speed of 14 hours and 34 minutes.

The winner of last year’s 100-mile race was Karl Meltzer, a world record holding runner that lives in Utah. He ran the race with an average mile pace of 8:44.

“Salt Lake has a huge running community,” said Meltzer “This time of year it is one of the few places for trail runners to get on dirt, so it's a good mix and time of year to get out there. It sort of works as a ‘tune-up’ race for many, no matter what distance it is. The venue is nice, easy to get to, and at this time of year there is nothing else going on locally in regard to trail running.”

Meltzer, who was the “Ultra Runner of the Year” in 2006, has won more 100-mile trail races than anybody in the world.

 “I enjoy running on trails because it's softer, the air is cleaner, I don’t have to dodge cars, and I smell wildflowers all summer long as opposed to exhaust,” said Meltzer. “I really don’t get why people run on roads at all when they have amazing trails and mountains here In Salt Lake City.”

There were many amazing people at this year’s race, each with their own story, including Pete Van Horn, 49, who is a first-timer in this year’s Buffalo Run. Pete is a burn survivor who suffered burns over 40 percent of his body a few years ago. Pete will run with his brother Matt Van Horn who is competing in his third Buffalo Run.

“He is a survivor,” said Pete’s mother, Verlaine Van Horn. “He’s lucky to be alive. He’s been training and training — he came out here a few days early just to get used to the terrain, and this is his new addiction.”