Alex Nichols had never raced farther then about 55 miles. Then he entered and won the Run Rabbit Run 100 in Steamboat Springs. Nichols ran with Sage Canaday for about 40 miles, then pulled away and ran alone for the final 60 ... at night, and at altitudes above 10,000 feet.
The race began at noon on Friday, Sept. 16. Nichols, 31, of Colorado Springs, finished in 17 hours, 57 minutes, 33 seconds, finishing well before sunrise at the base of the Steamboat Ski Resort on Saturday morning. The victory paid $12,000, the richest prize package in trail running.