Tahoe Triple Marathon

See the 2009 collection of Dr Hans Drexler 3 day of Triple photos on his blog. Excellent photography!!

Day 0 & 1; Day 2 and 3; and photos only of the lake

Triple Runners Ian Sharman Blog account of the Triple

Three different finishers medals for each day!!

See the 2007 slide show of Jakob and Dan's great 3 day Tahoe Triple adventure running around Lake Tahoe.

Marathon & Beyond has an article in their March/April issue in the "On the Mark" section with 3 ultra experts giving advice on how to train for the Tahoe Triple.

Go to pages 196-198 to read the advice of 3 expert ultra runners: Theresa Daus-Webber champion and 11 time finishers; multi marathoner Paul Clerici and Rich Benyo finishers of the double Badwater in Death Valley to Mt Whitney summit in July.

Marathon & Beyond has an article in the (Sept/Oct 2009) regarding the Triple written by Tony Gialanella. It is on pages 30-39. It is well done, take a look. It has one error regarding the swag we give. Runners get one singlet, not 3. Great pictures in there as well

Peter Lubbers are 3 time and only Super Triple Champion wrote an excellent article on his blog about Rae Clark the long time record holder for running around Lake Tahoe in 9:06. Peter Lubber's Super Triple Blog

Sadly, long time Marathoner Paul Pipilani passed away from liver cancer last June. He had done the Triple, 72 Ultra or Super Triple several time. He had done over 600 marathons. I will miss our colorful friend.

during and after the 2008 Super Triple

Our other Marathon in Maui

Tahoe Triple & 72 Mile Ultra News & the Double Dare:

At our Tahoe Triple Marathon in 2006 Johan Oosthuizen from South Africa broke the Guinness World Record for 3 consecutive Marathons. The old record was set April 16-18, 1988 at Belfast (2:45:55), London (2:48:45), and Boston (2:47:51) with a combined time of 8:22:31. The new Tahoe Triple and World record is 8:11:08

See below for all the Tahoe winners and records.

The 72 Mile Ultra has been run for years and put on by many different groups. We started the the latest version of the Tahoe 72.2 Mile Ultra in 2006. With the 10 PM Saturday night start the runners shoot at arriving at the start line of the regular marathon at or near 8 AM and to join the regular Marathoners. That would be after 46 miles and hopefully after 10 hours.

10 to twelve runners will sign up for the unique Super Triple which is:
26.2 x 26.2 x 72.2 miles

The 2nd Tahoe Double Dare is running two 72 milers around the lake, each in opposite directions. This is a one time custom event.

There will also be marathoners running the Friday or Saturday Marathon
a la carte with the Triple Marathoners.

So. Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150

from left:
Thomas Reiss 2005 Triple Champion,
Deborah Hamberlin 2006 Triple Champion,
Sean Meissner 2006 Ultra 72 Champion

Johann Oosthuizen 2006 Triple Champion (left)
& Sean Meissner 2006 72 Mile Ultra Champion

Laura Bleakley and Thomas Reiss
2005 Champs Triple Champions

Year	Champion	Home	age	total time	Time each day	Place each day
2010	Ian Sharman	Bend, OR	30	8:53:38	2:53:10 + 2:56:25 + 3:04:03	1-1-1
2010	Vickie Lau	San Jose, CA	47	12:17:06	4:15:08 + 4:01:55 + 4:00:03	2-1-1
2009	Lynyrd Skynrod	Soda Springs	29	8:39:32	2:43:57 + 2:52:14 + 3:03:21	1-1-1
2009	Leslie Stallings	Oldsmar, FL	47	11:35:50	3:53:59 + 3:47:33 + 3:54:18	1-1-1
2008	Chuck Engle	Dublin, Ohio	37	9:14:27	3:12:36 + 2:57:15 + 3:04:36	2-1-1
2008	Suzanne Wetzel	San Luis Obispo, CA	28	11:09:35	3 :42:28 + 3:40:58 + 3:46:09	1-1-1
2007	Lynyrd Skynrod	Soda Springs	27	8:33:17	2:39:41 + 2:48:55 + 3:04:41	1-1-1
2007	Leslie Antonis	Modesto	45	12:21:32	3:59:22 + 4:00:25 + 4:21:45	1-1-2
2006	Johann Oosthuizen	Middleburg, South Africa	33	8:11:08**	2:43:36 + 2:43:31 + 2:44:03	1-1-1
2006	Deborah Hamberlin	Tempe, AZ	38	11:17:39	3:45:35 + 3:38:32 + 3:53:33	1-1-1
2005	Thomas Reiss	San Louis Obispo	37	8:55:02	2:57:16 + 2:54:55 + 3:02:51	1-1-1
2005	Laura Bleakley	Rochester, NY	35	10:46:23*	3:34 + 3:34:15 + 3:38:05	1-1-1
2004	Sean Meissner	Sisters, OR.	31	9:28:01	3:08:06 +3:08:32 +3:11:23	2-2-1
2004	Deborah Hamberlin	Tempe, AZ	37	11:07:22	3:45:49+3:33:31+ 3:37:50	1-1-2
2003	Sean Meissner	Sisters, OR.	30	9:29:19	3:08:31+3:08:40+ 3:12:08	1-2-1
2003	Gretchen Brugman	Truckee, CA		12:14:05	4:07:03+3:58:51+4:08:11	1-1-1
2002	Sean Meissner	Sisters, OR.	29	9:41:01	3:09:01+3:17:46 +3:14:14	1-1-1
2002	Gunhild Swanson	Spokane, WA	58	11:58:42	3:54:52+3:54:52+3:52:23
2001	Sean Meissner	Moran, Wy	28	9:54:58	3:13:09 + 3:18:52 +3:22:57	1-1-2
2001	Linda Bialla	Tiburon, CA	37	12:49.57	3:59:16 + 4:19:09 +4:31:32	1-1-1

First Day

Runners will go around the busy casino core on the Lower Loop road behind the Horizon and Harvey's, see map grey route on map below. Note that the Royal Valhalla Lodge will host an aid station for the Triple Runners on Friday. Located near the Lakeside Marina on the map below.

The Swim and the Kayak events will take place on Lakeside Beach on Friday as well.

Why run three?

1. Three quality stages runs over the entire shoreline of Lake Tahoe over 3 days and in two states, and finishing with the regular Lake Tahoe Marathon and festivities.
2. Total of 78.6 miles covering two states.
3. Marathon a day for three days.
4. Excellent speed work for your next 100 miler.
5. Where else can you run 3 different marathons in 3 days so conveniently??
6. This is a challenging multi-day run at altitude, circumnavigating the 72-mile shoreline of Lake Tahoe + an additional 6 mile overlap to make 3 complete marathons.
7. A 3-day weekend you will never forget. Finishing with the regular Lake Tahoe Marathon and festivities at Pope Beach..
8. You can run 2 states in the same weekend by running the Tahoe Triple Marathon.

Note: The (one day) Around the Lake 72 mile ultra record is held by Rae Clark with a time of approximately 9 hours 6 minutes run back in the 70's.

Day 1: Emerald Bay Marathon-Start near Inspiration Point over looking Emerald Bay. Down hill for 3 miles, flattish for 19 miles, gentle hill up the old Glenbrook Road (closed to traffic) over the final 3 miles with downhill finish to near Spooner Lake. Mostly paved, with some areas where you can run on the dirt shoulder. Bike path through woods in the Camp Richardson- Baldwin Beach area and along the West side of Lake Tahoe. .

13 mile aid station: The Royal Valhalla Lodge will provide a fixed aid station at about mile 13 at their property at Lake Side Beach at Stateline. (Same time and same place as the Kayak and Swim events). This lake side lodging would be a great place to stay. Just 3 blocks to the Expo and a great place to soak in the lake after your run.



17 mile aid station: Zephyr Cove Lodge will host a fixed aid station for you. After the run, on the way back from the finish, stop off with your supporters at Zephyr Cove Lodge to soak in the lake and buy them lunch before heading to the Expo at the Horizon Casino to pick up your wind shirt. Friday a la carte Marathoners will receive their finishers medals and license plate at the finish line.

Day 2: Cal-Neva Marathon- Start on the road across and near Spooner Lake State Park, gentle down hill for 13 miles to Incline Village. Final 13 rolley with one bigger hill at Crystal Bay. Down hill final 5 miles into Tahoe City. Finish on Commons Beach in Tahoe City. Saturday a la carte Marathoners will receive their finishers medals and license plate at the finish line. Windshirts at the expo.

Gar Wood's and Caliente in Kings Beach will sponsor 2 aid stations
   for Cyclists and the 2nd leg of the Triple Marathon

Gar Woods Grill & Pier
Carnelian Bay (next to Sierra Boat Company)
5000 North Lake Boulevard
Carnelian Bay, CA 96140
(530) 546-3366 ~ (800) BY-TAHOE
Fax (530) 546-2184
onthewater@garwoods.com



Day 3: The regular Marathon Course from Commons Beach in Tahoe City to Pope Beach with full aid stations. Female Triples start with the women's Marathon start. Men with the men. See time line.

Comments from past Tahoe Triples

See more recent comments on www.MarathonGuide.com

2004

Les, Just wanted to take a second and say thanks for a great event. This was my first Triple, and the experience was fantastic. The run itself was amazing, the views and the terrain were phenomenal. Even better than the course was the atmosphere. The other runners and their support teams were the best. My crew had such a good time that they have all already volunteered to come back with me next year (thankfully I want to do it again, I would be in trouble if I didn't). Although I think I had the best crew out there (I might be biased), I received help from everyone's crews. My heartfelt thanks to all the other runners and their crews for their support and encouragement. My congratulations to everyone who ran, you are all truly incredible athletes. Andrew Mitchell Bib 580

Thanks for a great three days. You run a class A event and consider everything to make it enjoyable for everyone.

Race time becomes insignificant when you consider the company and the scenery.

Running the triple allowed me to accomplish a goal my family and friends all said could be done. One friend even gave me last rights the week before the race. I told them I was just one crazy among a group of crazies.

Thanks Again.

Phil Perrone

Les I'm not the most emotional person in the world but when I hit mile 20 on the third day of the triple, looked at the most spectacular view of the lake on my left, and realized that I had run around the entire lake, I got kind of choked up. What can I say - running the triple was an experience of a lifetime. I came in VERY nervous. Met you briefly at the expo of the chronicle and got the impression that you thought I had no idea what I was getting myself into (and you were right...). Then at the pre-race dinner on Wednesday night I was sitting at a table with a bunch of 50-staters. At home my 11 (well, now 14) marathons makes me a superstar. At my table, the person with the second least number of marathons had run 168. My nerves went into pre-race overdrive. What else can I say - this run was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have ever done in my life. I woke up on the third day with severe pain in my calf (Austin called me gimpy at the start line b/c I tried to run and just couldn't). But somehow I was able to pull through and keep going. (I'm babbling here). What made it so great - the challenge, the scenery, the runners, everyone's amazing support crews... Anyway, my point is that I had a great weekend. Going from the kid who was picked last in gym class to someone who can run 79 miles in a weekend with hills and altitude is quite an accomplishment - I've been on such a high all week. There were a few treacherous traffic points but otherwise, two thumbs up.So, I could go on forever and ever about my weekend (my poor friends and coworkers are so bored listening to me) but I guess I should end it here. Had fun, and even made it out of the race with all ten toenails and no blisters. Maybe I'm cut out for this ultra-thing. Thanks again -Stacey (Triple 617)

Les, On behalf of the 50 States Marathon Club, we would like to express our appreciation for the hard work you, your staff, and volunteers put into the events this year. For those of us who ran the Triple, the marathons will be etched in our memories because of all the new friends we made and all the hills we climbed. Thanks again. Steve& Paula Boone

I thought the idea of the buffet before the Triple meeting was a great idea. There was an excellent variety of food and it all tasted great. Again, it was a great running and learning experience for me and I look forward to doing it again next year. Keep up the good work.

Liz

By the way, the Triple was a blast. I soaked in the lake after day 3 and took a long gaze at the shoreline around the lake. It was a great feeling to know I ran around the whole thing! I'm thinking I just might be back next year.

Thanks.

John Dovala

#526

Dear Les,

Thanks for a beautiful weekend.

The Tahoe Triple run was a super event.

I love every minute of the run.

Again, thanks for a great weekend.

Tom Adair (Bib #501)Alpharetta, GA

2003

Les,

My heart goes out to everyone that finished the triple this year. I was a spectator for the first time after running the previous two years. The passion that I saw in everyone and determination was great. I want to congratulate all and I will see everyone again this coming year. To my dad that ran his best time, outstanding performance. He has inspired me once again to take on this difficult event next year.

Mark Groner

Les,

Thanks to all your crew and yourself for the great
experience at the triple. It was an incredibly
majestic, tough, and heartwarming experience/course,
and the most awesome place I have ever run. The 4 of
us "flatlanders" from Illinois had the best time and
were extremely challenged. We will never forget the
experience you've provided us. Congrats to all
finishers....you're heroes to me!

Spencer Nelson 2003
Bib #742

Les:
Many, many thanks to you & your team (most especially to the wonderful &
ever patient Austin Angell) for putting on such a great event last week. A
unique, tough & unforgettable experience in my life, without question.
Rubbing shoulders with your top athletes (Sean, Alex, Jeff and Gretchen) was
a remarkable privilege - I never cease to be impressed by the capability,
humility and drive of folks like these.
I'd recommend to anyone in good shape & injury-free (certainly not to the
faint-hearted or to whiners! they should stay home). Hope to make it back
next year.
Best regards,
Russell Secker #758

2002 comments

Les,
Thank you, Marty and Angell for a great job of getting us around the Lake, Getting to run through Inspiration Point twice was the highlight of the weekend for me, breath taking and definitely awe inspiring! Many thanks to all the crew members for the their support and encouragement along the way (especially from my running buddy crew, Jim and Shawna. Great Job!). I really had a great time and experience and would recommend it to anyone who wants to reach out and see how far they can go. Standing on the beach Sunday and looking around the Lake at what I had accomplished, will be something I will never forget. It will keep me running through the long, winter days ahead until next year, when I can do it all over again.
Wonderful race and job well done! Larry Preston Bib 141

Hello Les and Ultra Marathon Staff!

I just wanted to write a brief note to let you know that I truly did have an experience of a lifetime completing the 3 Stage Ultra! After weeks and months of worrying about completing three marathons in a row I can't believe I did it...and am feeling so strong! The other Ultra Marathoners gave so much support and encouragement, especially the last day! Thanks ever so much for allowing me the opportunity to gain so much confidence in my Marathoning abilities! From start to finish the camaraderie among the 'Ultras' was amazing, something I have never felt before while doing a regular marathon. Thanks again for the best marathon adventure I have done to date! It will certainly be hard to find another marathon that can compare with the overall sense of accomplishment! Please pass on a special thanks to Marty, Angell and Edward Kelly! They were super!

Cheers and happy Marathoning!

Kris Stevens, Sidney/Victoria BC

Comments from the 2001 Ultra 3 day Stage Marathon

Les/Marty:

I had a fantastic time doing the 3-day Ultra. The concept and the course
were remarkable. I would compare it to some other past racing experience
but the whole event was completely unique. It was also great to make new
friends among the other runners and their crews. As I told Marty at the
finish line, don't change anything for next year. The event had the perfect
mix of organization and "roughness" that makes ultra running so much fun. I
am already counting the days until next year's race.

Thanks again for a great time....... Dave Cunningham.

Les,

I really had a wonderful time at your first Ultra 3 Day Stage Race. As I told Marty, it was the most incredible
running experience of my life so far. I think it was well organized, and all of the other ultra runners I
talked to seemed to enjoy themselves, as well.......Sean Meissner
Les,

I ran the 3 day ultra and I just wanted to thank everyone for what turned out
to be the one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Everyone
involved was so nice and helpful, and there was a camaraderie amongst the
runners that I've never felt before. It was great to also get to know the
other runner's support groups, which you never get a chance to do. My wife
Naomi, who was my support "team", really enjoyed helping out the other
runners with Gatorade, cookies, etc. At least that's what she told me. I
especially wanted to thank Marty for all of his hard work. It did not go
unnoticed.

Thanks again and hopefully I'll be recovered in time for next year,

Ronald Kageyama

Fantastic event...thanks to all who support and help...a must run for all runners...Bud

Les...Thank you for all the effort and time on the 3 day event. From now
on whenever I see a map of Lake Tahoe there will be a little extra smile
because of this event. I had a great time and will be back next year.
Conrad

Our other Marathon in Maui

Transportation to the start lines You will be transported from the Horizon Casino Resort each morning to that day's start line, which will be near where you finished the day before. Your support team will be needed for the ride home. Your crew will be responsible for getting you back to your hotel. If you come alone with out support you will need to buy a few beers the night before and arrange a ride after the race for Thursday and Friday. Saturday take the regular Marathon transportation from the Horizon Casino Hotel before and after your run.
Race	Race Start times	Bus Departure	From
Emerald Bay Marathon to Spooner Summit	7 a.m. on Friday	6 AM	Horizon Casino
Cal-Neva Marathon Spooner Summit to Tahoe City	7:45a.m. on Saturday	6:45	Horizon Casino
The Lake Tahoe Marathon Tahoe City to Pope Beach	8 a.m. on Sunday	with marathoners	Horizon Casino