Thursday, 12 April 2018 10:13

Partner Feature – Kannah Creek Brewing

Kannah Creek Brewing in Grand Junction has been a long-time partner for our post-race parties for the Trail Running Festival, Rabbit Valley Half Marathon and Desert RATS MTB Classic. They were founded in 2005 as a locally-owned small business and continue that tradition today with two locations. With beer, pizza, wings and more, they’re a top choice for hungry athletes after a day of play on Western Slope trails.

Sunday, 08 April 2018 10:13

Desert RATS Bio 2018 – Anne Thilges

Stage Race Sunday! Who’s coming to play in the desert this year?

Hopping over from the Western States home in Auburn, California, Anne Thilges is veteran of >30 Ironman triathlons and mentee of ultra-legend Ann Trason.

Marital Status: Married

Number of Children: One resident dog and always one or two foster dogs. Does that count?

Occupation: Business consultant and part-time endurance coach

Years running: 40 years. Oh my!

Years running ultras: My first marathon was in 1988 (30 years ago) and my first ultra (55km) was 1995 (23 years ago)

Ultras I have done: Royal National Park (NSW, Australia) was my first Rio Del Lago 100 mile was my only 100 More than 30 ironman triathlons (including Kona, the world championships) Two off-road iron-distance triathlons (that’s all trail) Lots of 50’s (kms or miles) and anything on trail

Favorite race and why: Right now my favorite race is Desert RATS Kokopelli…. because my favorite is always “my next one”. I love the planning, the training, the anticipation.

Best results in races: I am most proud that I have been running for decades and I still love it.

Tell us something about yourself, running related or other: I have a mentor to help me prepare for this race…. Anne Trason. She is an ultra running legend! So if you have any questions for her, let me know and I will pass them on.

What’s your favorite way to train for Desert RATS: Some weeks I do an extra long run and other weeks I do a series of 4-6 days of “medium long”. This way I am training for both aspects of the stage challenge.

What are your goals for Desert RATS: I hope that when I finish, I am happy and in good enough condition to immediately look forward to next year’s race.

Thursday, 05 April 2018 10:12

April – Letter from Reid

Adventurers,

I hit the big 5-0 this year. I needed a way to celebrate and since debauchery isn’t my style, I decided to go with adventure. I called up my old friend Ross who was also turning 50. We met in 7th grade science class- he was always trying to stay focused on his lab working with weights and measures while I would distract him by setting up the weights like bowling pins and turning it into a game. That’s pretty much how our friendship has gone ever since. A big turning point in my life was when we decided to go on a senior trip- a two week backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Our mothers drove us the eight hours to help us shuttle our car and we were off.
 
Time marches on…both our mothers have passed since away, we’re facing 50 and here we still are – me inviting Ross on another adventure and him not putting up too much of a fight. A whole different kind of “senior trip”. We spent three perfect days in Zion, canyoneering, hiking and mountain biking.
 
I do a lot of these little getaways. I love pushing my limits and being in nature but the true joy of these adventures is being able to share them with good friends.
 
It’s that time of year again when we get to reconnect with our staff from all over the country. We all truly enjoy our time together at the events and I feel that comes across in our smiling faces. In an upcoming blog post you get to meet the crew that makes our events possible. Also look forward to Heather Hart, who is racing in this year’s Desert RATS Kokopelli 150 and gives some training advice for desert running.
 
Enjoy the trails
Reid 
Gemini Adventures
Sunday, 25 March 2018 10:11

Desert RATS Bio 2018 – Micky Sederburg

Stage Race Sunday! Who’s coming to play in the desert this year?

Micky Sederburg will be facing his self-proclaimed “greatest test of endurance” in 33 years of running.

Marital Status: Married

Number of Children: 2

Occupation: Active duty Air Force for the last 20 years

Years running: 33

Years running ultras: 9

Ultras I have done: Born to Run 50K North Face Challenge, 50K and 50 Miler Palmer Lake 24 hour 51.22 miles Behind the Rocks 50K Rattle Snake 50K South Park Trail Marathon Land Before Time Trail Marathon

Favorite race and why: North Face Endurance Challenge San Francisco 50K. Sharing the course with the elites and seeing them several times through out the race, also lots of free stuff.

Best results in races: Running on Air Force Marathon team and clocking a 2:52 at the Air force Marathon and getting 14th Place.

Tell us something about yourself, running related or other: I use to be fast and competitive but now I am slow and all about having fun. I like tough races and extreme environments. For me Desert Rats will be greatest test of my endurance. Samantha Pruitt I may curse you or praise you out on the course for putting this race in my head but I will always grateful.

What’s your favorite way to train for Desert RATS: This is my first Desert Rats so we will find out my favorite way in June.

What are your goals for Desert RATS: Finish and have a blast!

Thursday, 22 March 2018 10:10

Meet the Staff

Meet the Staff

Who are the key players you’ll find in the desert this year?

Reid Delman – Race Director | Reid was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Reid moved to Boulder, CO in 1994. He is the owner of Gemini Events and lives in Boulder with his wife, Michele, and two daughters (the twins in the Gemini name). He has dedicated himself to a number of sports over the years including wrestling, rock climbing, adventure racing, ultrarunning, mountain biking, Mixed Martial Arts cagefighting, and most recently earning a black belt in Brazilian Ju Jitsu.

He has participated in some of the big events including the Leadville 100 bike and run, Hardrock 100, the Eco Challenge and everything from snowshoe races to Ironman distance triathlons. As a self proclaimed “untalented athlete” he’s always looking for the next great challenge and opportunity to push his limits.

Reid continues to create his own adventures and loves bringing these to others. Whether canyoneering in Moab or running 14ers, he is always looking for new adventures to share with his friends.


Kyla Claudell – Racer Experience | Kyla is an avid trail runner and also loves mountain biking, snowboarding, rafting, and backpacking. She’s looking forward to another year of helping athletes achieve success at some of the most challenging and transforming races on the planet.

 


Brad Bishop – Race Coordinator | Brad traipses about the trails around Fort Collins and Colorado, dividing his time between running, family, work and serving as Hardrock’s Aid Station Director. His current life goal of completing 10 Grand Slams (2 down, 8 to go) inspires both misty-eyed day dreaming and farcical self ridicule.


Brian Horton – Chef Extraordinaire & Basecamp Experience | Brian began his professional career as a chef after completing culinary school and a 3.5 year apprenticeship. He has since worked for several James Beard Award winning chefs.

Brian has researched and executed many diets including paleo, gluten free, and vegan. In 2016 he was chosen to speak at a gluten free athlete’s summit hosted by Udi’s regarding fueling strategies.

​An avid adventurer, he fell in love with ultrarunning while living in Boulder, CO. He completed his first 100k in 2016. Between being a race participant and working for several world renowned stage races, Brian learned the ins and outs of what it takes to make a successful backcountry event. He enjoys the challenges each catering brings and finding the best solution to provide an affordable, one of a kind adventure.


Glen Delman – Photographer & Course Coordinator | Glen has lived, worked and played in Boulder, CO since 1989. He was a long time member of Rocky Mountain Rescue, having been on the search and rescue team for 19 years.  He serves as the action photographer at the Gemini Events races in addition to helping out in a variety of other capacities. Having traveled to over 70 countries and all 7 continents, he’s very well-traveled and as a result has thousands of photographs from virtually every corner of the world.

He is also an experienced runner and adventurer. He has ridden his bike from Montana to Alaska (and back), ridden from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, and ridden across Ecuador. He has completed four  100 mile running races (including Leadville), and completed 25 ultra marathons,  as well as the Leadville 100 mile mountain bike race.


Fred Ecks – Aid Station Manager | Fred is an enthusiast for just about anything outdoors. When he’s not out running trails or heading up mountains or riding his bicycle across countries on other continents, he’s likely busy sleeping or eating. He can often be found eating donuts and drinking cheap beer in dusty environments. When his time comes to go into the great beyond, he humbly requests a memorial bench be placed somewhere beautiful in his name, with great big spikes sticking up from the seat, with the inscription, “Get off your ass!”

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