Wow, what a weekend for Team CLIF.  Four of us desk jockeys who work to keep our athletes fueled traveled to the Sierras for the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.  We got to chat with our athletes and some of ultra running's best known names at a dinner co-hosted by our friends at Montrail the night before.  We also attempted to make the smokiest camp fire ever and enjoyed some time sleeping outside.

Ricardo, Eric and Ryan trying to determine what direction the speeder bike

Three Team CLIF runners competed in the Transvulcania ultramarathon on the island of La Palma, Spain.  Though not as well known as some of the other Canary Islands, La Palma was a beautiful setting for what was a very tough run that drew a truly world-class field of competitors.  Team Montrail and CLIF runner Dakota Jones took the win with an upset over favorite Kilian Jornet. 

The North Face runner, fueled by CLIF, Ian Sharman claimed a very respectable 16^th place, making up

This past Sunday, Montrail runner Amy Sproston won the 100K World Championships held in Seregno, Italy.  The course was a mix of alleys, parks, parking lots, rough roads and tight turns – a varied 20K loop that the runners completed 5 times (math!!).  Amy shocked the field, and herself, with the win as she had been battling a pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis a few weeks before the event.  Amy improved on her 11^th place finish in 2011 and completed the course in

This past Saturday in Bellingham, WA the 20^th Anniversary edition of the Chuckanut 50K was run in cold conditions with a mix of light snow and some rain.  Team Montrail and Team Clif runner Ellie Greenwood showed good early season form to take the win and to take another 3 minutes or so off her course record, set in last year’s victory.

Ellie, putting the frozen hurt on

Photo courtesy of Michael Lebowitz/LongRun Pictures

Last year’s men’s champ, Geoff Roes, was not competing

Team CLIF runner Ian Sharman broke his own world record by more than two minutes this past weekend when he finished the Napa Valley Marathon in 2:40:53 - dressed as Elvis.

Photo:  Rick Gaston

That's right, the King is alive and well and finishing top ten in marathons.  How does he keep the pompadour looking so good after all those 6 minute miles?  Ian is considering hanging up the Elvis costume after nabbing the world record for the third time.  Keep an eye on your favorite