Why Not Buckles for Beer Miles?
Buckles in ultras used to be seen mostly in 100-mile races. Occasionally they’d be seen at the 50-mile events. Here in California they were given out in some capacity at the long-gone San Juan Trail 50-Mile and Nugget 50-Mile. In recent years they’ve surfaced at some 50ks and marathons. Now they’ve appeared at the Austin TX 1/2 marathon . Half-marathon buckle, Austin TX Marathon You’ve gotta be fucking kidding. First, a little history. Finisher b uckles in 100 -milers originated at the Western States 100, as a direct lineage from the Tevis Cup Endurance Ride . Not all 100s had buckles for the post-24 hour to final cut-off finishers. Angeles Crest didn’t offer them to the 24-33hr finishers until 1996, after 1995’s winner Fred Shuffelbarger leaned on RD Ken Hamada, hard. Wasatch had at last count three: sub 24hr, 24- 30 hr, 30 -33hr. I am lucky to have earned the latter two. Because Wasatch is fucking difficult. AWARDS CREEP The buckle was a compelling marker that t