Pony Express 50 Miler
(and Wasatch Alpine Strider Training Run)
April 5, 1986 - Simpson Springs Out & Back, Utah

This western desert course starts in Simpson Springs, a former Way Station on the original Pony Express route in 1860 to 1861.  The fifty miler is an out and back run with the turn around (25 miles) located 1 mile before reaching Faust Junction.  The highest elevation is at Lookout Pass in the Onaqui Mountains at 6,192 feet.  The lowest elevation (4,800 feet) is at the 5 and 45 mile points sidtuated between Mount Davis (6,433 feet) and the Simpson Mountains.  The surface runners are on is good, graded dirt and gravel in valley terrain except for the Lookout Pass section which is typical Cedar Pinion forest found commonly in Utah's wester desert.  The geology, as described by John Moellmer, our geologist information retrieval expert, is primarily Paleozoic ocean bed formation.   The temperatures were nearly perfect with a light sprinkle of rain and overcast skies to tone down the sun.  Mother Nature kept Mr. Wind calm most of the day. The scenery was very pleasing with spring greenery coloring the landscape.  Snow still dotted the moutain areas we could view far off in the distance.  The runners had a good, solid training day running together much of the day and lending their support to Pete Coffin who accomplished his qualifying 50 mile race for the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.  Pete's time was fast for his usual endeavors as he is a Multi-Day Ultrarunner and seems to get stronger as the days roll along. 
Most notable comment from runners on the notorious Pete Coffin shuffle when fatigue sets in:
 "I was dying out there.  Did you see my 'coffin'?"                
Irv Nielsen
RDand roving aid station for the day.

Name
 5 Miles
10 M
13.1 M
15 M
20 M
25 M
26.2 M
30 M
33 M
35 M
40 M
45 M
50 M
Pete Coffin
 43:30
 1:34
 2:06
 2:28
 3:24
 4:17
 4:34
 5:21
 6:05
 6:28
 7:27
 8:19
 9:29
Ferdinand de Sousa
 44:30
 1:34
 2:06
 2:26
 3:17
 3:55
 4:17
 4:59
 5:35
 6:11



John Moellmer
 42:30
 1:36
 2:05
 2:26
 3:21
 4:11
 4:30
 5:19
 6:05




Laurel Jean Staton
 42:30
 134
 2:06
 2:28
 3:24
 4:16







Jim Lloyd
 42:30
 1:33
 2:05
 2:24
 3:24








Diane deSousa
 44:30
 1:34
 2:06
 2:26