24 Hours of Moab

by Walker Thompson on October 20th, 2006

By Wednesday, before the race, Moab’s recent rains had set a 105-year rainfall record. The weather pattern that had delivered
two record setting “perfect storms” reemerged and created a third perfect storm that landed squarely on top of The 24 Hours of Moab.

This was only the start to the 24 hours of Moab and the flood of the century.

The race course had some of the scariest conditions ever encountered at this epic event. Racers on-course during the deluge experienced waist-deep flash-floods, chain-binding, brake-pad wearing mud that forced many into walking mode, gaping erosion ditches that seemed to appear out of nowhere
and most dangerously of all, bone-chilling cold that brought many to near hypothermia.

Yet, the infamous Walker Thompson and his amazing teammate Dan Ourada, pulled out a 4th place win. How could this be?

Walker heads out for another lap at the 24 Hours of Moab.

The answer is constant devotion to suffering. Walker and Dan each watch 10 hours of Full House every Saturday. What’s more, they scrape their fingernails on chalk boards. “The intense training we go through made a real difference this year,” said my friend Dan Ourada.

Overall, the race was a kick in the pants. Our friends came out to support us. While we raced, they drank wine. They made us dinner, which they ate most of and catered to our every need, when it suited their schedule.

Next 24 hour race: 24 hours of Old Pueblo.