Yesterday was the hottest Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k of the four I have run. And the hardest. Sometimes you give it your all and your all is not quite enough. Made it much farther than last year, under worse (hotter, dryer, dustier) conditions.

It was already in the mid-70s Fahrenheit at the race start, spiked into the 80s and 85+ from mile 4 onward, hitting highs in the low 90s. I had somewhat prepared for the heat, with a hydration plan & practice, and a cooling outfit including an ice-bandana.

I made it up almost 4000 feet of elevation gain from the start to the picturesque “Stairway to Heaven” ladder (newly replaced this year!) up to Washeshu Peak (~2700m above sea level, 8868' according to my Garmin) and across the plateau at the top.

After the crux of the race I hiked / slow-ran down the steep descent, making it to about mile 7.8 (more than halfway!) at the Siberia aid station. Missed the cutoff by a few minutes and got pulled. From the start I pushed perhaps the hardest I have ever pushed at Broken Arrow, found new limits, and felt like I left it all on the mountain.

I have some ideas for what to improve, given similar conditions. Still reflecting on lessons learned. This was my fourth overall attempt, and 2nd DNF at Broken Arrow.

Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k results so far:
* 2026: DNF at ~7.8mi Siberia Aid
* 2025: DNF at ~4.6mi Snow King Aid
* 2024: 6:52 finish! https://tantek.com/2024/176/t1/finished-broken-arrow-skyrace-23k
* 2023: 5:22 finished adjusted 23k course (due to high winds): 2 loops of 11k  https://tantek.com/2023/178/t1/june-trailrunner-ultrarunner

I will return for the 2027 Broken Arrow Skyrace.

#BrokenArrowSkyrace #skyRace #trailRace #mountainRunning

Before the race: https://tantek.com/2026/171/t1/once-more-brokenarrowskyrace-23k