...are due all around, on so many levels, for a terrific nationals experience.

first, big huge ginormous kudos to jason and laura elsenraat, for a terrific race and a great volunteer experience.

second, to USARA for securing Bulleit Bourbon as a key sponsor this year: a good neat serving takes the edge off of sleep dep any day.

third, to SmartWool, CW-X, and GoLite for making our race and Best Garbage experience pretty darned special yet again.

fourth, to LEKI, for making it ARFE and ARFE-SmartWool's travel all carbon-neutral.

fifth, to Travel Country Outfitters for finally winning Best Garbage, after trying all these years, and to Terra Firma, for picking up after Team ARFE-SmartWool's inadvertantly-dropped water bottle.

sixth, to paramedic Mike Skirvin, whom we see every year, for carting home the huge bags of garbage racers collected for Treats for Trash, and for sorting out the stuff and recycling what he could.

seventh, to all the great volunteers.

and eighth, last but so not least (lucky number!), to our own Team ARFE-SmartWool: Chris Edmundson, Suzie Snyder and captain Bruce Swanson. this is ARFE-SmartWool's best finish ever in four years of qualifying. ever so proud of you.

finally, tremendous thanks to Crew Queen Pamela Robbins, who came all the way out to volunteer for the race and show some ARFE pride.

 

thanks, everyone!

 

cheers,

ARFE mgmt