Experts Comments
The idea of bringing together the running community in an event, Thin Air Distance Challenge, is a way for families to enjoy the scenic Lake Tahoe area and a unique running experience. With various distances and age group participation, this should be one of the outstanding events of the year. John DuCray is to be congratulated for developing this unique event.
Jerry Coleman
Director/Sacramento Track Club and past President of Pacific Association USATF
Four straight days of racing at different distances in beautiful South Lake Tahoe, are you kidding me? What a great idea for a new event. Where do I sign up?
Rich Hanna
Owner/Capitol Road Race management

John, You've got a great idea here and one that could change the way we do racing events.  Having personally been involved in the Amgen Tour of California bike race, I can see your idea was borrowed from biking, the fun and excitement of stage racing. The athletes and spectators will love it!
John Mansor
Race Director-California International Marathon
Executive Director-Pacific Association of USA Track and Field

John, bringing the stage racing idea to running is incredibly exciting. It makes so much sense to do stage races in running like they do in Europe with bicycling. It is such a great idea and I wish I would've thought of it myself. After 40 years of running competitively at the high school, college, and post-collegiate level and then coaching for the last 10 years, I'm surprised that no one has done it before. No one has ever done anything like this in running and it is clearly an idea that is overdue and will infuse a great deal of excitement into the distance running community not only on a national level, but also at the international level.

Tom Laythe

Head Cross Country Coach, El Camino High School, Sacramento, CA