Runners push through 100 miles in the Franklin Mountains

The Lone Star 100, El Paso’s first 100 mile and 100 kilometer race took off Sunday morning at 5 a.m. The first runner finished the first 33 mile loop in just 6 hours and 18 minutes; the 90 runners coming from 18 states and three different countries.

“You have everyone coming from Canada, from Mexico, the tarahumara from Copper Canyon, and people from all over the states as well. SO it’s probably the most diverse race that we have ever had,” said Rob Goyen, a race organizer.

A Tarahumara runner explaining the elevation changes make this one of the harder races he’s run, something that may have even been a reason for others to sign up.

“Everyone knows it’s a really hard course, and everyone’s looking for the next test, and I think being that, being in El Paso, being in Texas, people are really intrigued to see what Texas mountains are like,” Goyen said.

The heat bearing down on them didn’t stop anyone, getting all the water and food they needed at the aid stations.

So why even run the 100 miles to begin with? The answer was more simple than expected,

“I’m not sure if I can do it, so i wanna find out if I can do it,” said Eric Gilbertson.