The 17th annual Hardrock 100 Endurance Run that was held this weekend in Silverton, Colorado is allowed as an exception to the Forest Service prohibition of competitive, endurance events in wilderness areas. The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act which was passed by the House in Congress last month, allows for the Secretary to “continue to authorize the competitive running event permitted since 1992.” (H.R. 3914 §5(a)(2))
The Swan Crest 100 that is scheduled to be run in Montana the last weekend of July 2010 may not see the same congenial fate. The argument heated up in May this year over whether the U.S. Forest Service should permit this 100 mile run in the Flathead National Forest and adjacent to the Jewel Basin.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Two groups with the same passion for enjoying the wilderness are clashing over the Swan Crest 100.
On the one side is Brad Lamson, race director of the Swan Crest 100. The Swan Crest 100 offers an opportunity to bring runners to Montana and show them the beautiful wilderness – and through that experience comes advocacy for conversation of these natural areas.
On the opposing side are the conservationist groups such as Wilderness Watch and the National Resources Defense Council, and at the forefront is the Swan View Coalition. Its Chairman, Keith Hammer, of Kalispell, is the now very public face of opposition to the Swan Crest 100. Hammer has lived in the region nearly all his life. He has been an environmental consultant and activist since 1985.
Local runners and trail race directors are watching these developments and hoping this kind of strong opposition does not come to our backyard. You can follow Swan Crest 100 developments in the Missoulian or Daily Inter Lake.
Click here to read more about the Swan View Coalition’s advocacy for the Swan Range.
Click here to read more about Swan Crest 100’s struggle to use local wilderness trails.
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