100 Mile Race - Which One To Do

Without doubt, there is only one 100 mile I really care to do. Hardrock. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way and it goes without saying that I bit of hard work (and even luck) needs to be put in before being considered for this race.

The list below are races that I'm considering doing. I have pros and cons for each race. What I don't get caught up in is the difficulty of a specific race. Bottom line is any 100 mile race I consider will be a total bitch to complete. Regardless of elevation, terrain, location, number of aid stations, etc...

1st Option: Cascade Crest 100
Pros: A gorgeous setting, a loop course, a 10am start time, a very low key event with no Big Buckle Envy. The high point of the course is equivalent to that of my house so training wouldn't require long drives to the high country for acclimation.

Cons: Being no where near home and not knowing anyone in the Seattle area would mean I'd be running this race solo and likely with little assistance from a crew. My wife would only be helping once at mile 23 and this while caring for our daughter. This trip can get costly.

Registration: The race has never exceeded 128 offical starters and in 2011 filled up in 7 minutes. Speaking with the RD, 2012 will have some type of undetermined lottery system in February. No clue what entrant cap will be.

2nd Option: Leadville 100
Pros: The course is only a few hours away. Very familiar with the course. The recruitment of family and friends for pacing and crewing will be (hopefully) extremely easy. The community of those running/supporting the race is awesome!

Cons: 700 plus folks lining up at the start. Not a fan of the out and back design of the course. Damn early start time. Getting up to elevation for training on a frequent basis (which means more time away from the family). Big Buckle Envy. Reality is everyone is fixated with this. Regardless of their ability to achieve the 25 hour mark. Do I really need to add this possible stress to an already demanding event?

Registration: From my understanding, registration opens up November 1st. Will it sell out in 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, next January? No clue but guessing from the popularity of the race and possible release of a movie on some book, I can only imagine this race, regardless of number of entrants, will sell out fast.

Distant 3rd Option: Bear 100
Pros: A point to point course along a beautiful stretch of backcountry between North East Utah and South East Idaho. Extremely low key event with no Big Buckle Envy (though there is animal buckle envy but not nearly as stressful).

Cons: Logistics made even more difficult being in a remote part of the state. Very likely no crew or pacer. Might not be possible due to work constraints this time of year.

Registration: I actually have no clue when registration opens up but guessing some time in Feb. Last years race wasn't full when I last checked which was just weeks leading into the race.

Choosing which 100 miler to sign up for is easy. It's the registration process and their respective dates that makes picking a race so damn difficult. My negative mindset with all this falls along the lines of - "If I wait for the Cascade Crest lottery to open, I won't get picked. Which means I already missed my opportunity to get into Leadville since that race will fill up before Thanksgiving. Leaving Bear as my only option which might not be doable anyway."

So do I pull the trigger and sign up for Leadville? Do I take my chances and wait for Cascade? Do I consider other races like Angeles Crest, Big Horn or Wasatch and complicate this whole process even more?

And for the record, my wife is pushing for Leadville as she's completely opposed to me running this distance alone. Even though she'd rather wait for me in the heart of the Cascades versus Leadville during the long weekend.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!