Gnarly Bandit Ultra Series, sponsored by Wilderness Athlete
Are you tough enough? The Gnarly Bandit is a series of 100 Km or 100 mile ultra trail races throughout the upper midwest with a pot of gold at the end for those brave enough to make the challenge. The 2012 Gnarly Bandit Ultra Trail Series schedule is official; the Gnarly Bandit himself crawled out of hibernation in his barn to approve it.
Wilderness Athlete, focusing on the outdoor athlete, has stepped up big-time to provide a stash of cash — $600 — that will be split among the group finishing the series. Two people finish, each will receive $300, and so on. These winners will be given other WA merchandise to sponsor their trail efforts going forward, too, as official Wilderness Athlete Trail Runners. The cash prize and a John Storkamp original artwork commemorating the 2012 Gnarly Bandit finisher(s) will be awarded at the November 2012 UMTR Awards Fest.
2011’s winning list, of the 17 entrants signing up for the series, was just one: Adam Schwartz-Lowe. All are invited to join the 2012 edition of misery, discomfort, pain and the demented adoration of rutty rocky trails.
Series Director: Phillip Gary Smith
2012 Standings: Excel (.xls) | Adobe (.pdf)
Races Show/Hide
| Race | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Zumbro 100 Mile Endurance Run | Zumbro Falls, MN | 04/13/2012 |
| Kettle Moraine 100 Mile / 100K | Eagle, WI | 06/02/2012 |
| Black Hills 100 Mile / 100K | Sturgis, SD | 06/23/2012 |
| Superior Sawtooth 100 Mile | Lutsen, MN | 09/07/2012 |
| Wild Duluth 100K | Duluth, MN | 10/20/2012 |
Note: Two events have either a 100-mile or 100-kilometer option; officially completing either distance counts for the Wilderness Athlete Gnarly Bandit.
Remember, too, the work of all who make this series possible. The individual races, volunteers, sponsors, UMTR, and the visionaries at Wilderness Athlete. Drop them a note, e-mail, or for the races, express these sentiments at the event. We may be gnarly, but we’re gnarly nice.
What the Gnarly Bandit himself says (known as rules by some) Show/Hide
- “Of course you have to join them UMTR people before you start, and ya’ gotta throw your hat in on the Gnarly series before the first race. Do I have to break a log over your head?”
- “I can’t guarantee you entry into any of the races, you gotta do that. Don’t come crying to me out on the ranch about not getting’ in one of my races. Enter ‘em all now, for goodness sake. What are you, chicken? And you gotta pay your own fees; did I even have to be saying that?”
- “Official finishes, as determined by the RD, is what counts. You gotta submit yours to that Smith fella. He’s a little slow on the uptake; don’t expect him to figure it out I’ll tell you that right now.”
- “Each Gnarly finisher is recognized with a special award — them UMTR people know some crafty folks — plus you’ll be a-sharin’ in the Wilderness Athlete pot of gold. Now them are some nice neighbors. Wilderness Athlete will also have surprises for the brave making progress on my trails of tears.”
- “One volunteer effort is required by season’s end. You slickers, get out thar and be doin’ something. You don’t expect me to be out there a-doing work, do ya? I gotta take care of the ranches! I gotta be rockin’ in my chair. So, you volunteer at any race, includin’ showshoe, of the current series year. Them race director entrants are exempted from this volunteer requirement because they pay me secretly under the table. he, he, he.”
- “Expect to be hearin’ from me, too, ‘cause I’ll be payin’ attention if you’re tough enough to earn my honors.”
- “You better be fueling up with Wilderness Athlete. Those guys are tough cookies, the real deal. They can come a-huntin’ on the Gnarly Ranches anytime.”
The Gnarly Hall of Fame Show/Hide
“These Gnarlyites are the Gnarliest of them runner-types. Gettin’ on my Hall of Fame is harder than gettin’ a bull to give milk – but these few went and did it no-how. Well, here’s a tip of the old duster and a new chaw in the jowl just to be a-celebratin’. ”
- 2008 – Pierre Ostor
- 2009 – Daryl Saari
- 2010 – Dale Humphreys
- 2010 – Daryl Saari *
- 2011 – Adam Schwartz-Lowe
* By completing the Wild Duluth 100K in addition to the regular (4 race) Gnarly schedule in 2010, Daryl completed what was then known as the Ultimate Gnarly (5 races). As of 2011, 5 races, one from each race date, were required to officially complete the one-and-only Gnarly Bandit schedule.
