Mark Smith cooling off runners at TREC’s Aid Station 3 & 4 – Photo Credit Jamison Swift
Dear Friends,
Two years ago while running the Voyaguer 50 mile trail race the high temperature was something like 93 degrees, with high humidity, and plentiful sunshine. While those are really challenging conditions, you can still do well and get a finish if you are well trained, dial it back, and take good care of yourself along the way. Regardless of good decisions you are still going to be riding a razors edge a good portion of the day and entering that that narrow, liminal space, late in the race. I distinctly remember coming into the Beck’s Road Aid Station on the return from the Zoo, being offered a chair in the shade, and being extremely well attended to by a volunteer named Jamison (coincidentally, he was out shooting photos at Afton for us this year, with one of his photos being featured above). Many of you will know Jamison as a runner, volunteer, and the co-race director along with his wife Lisa, of the Firetower Trail Races and St. Croix 40 Winter Ultra. He knows trail and ultra running / ultrarunners, and I knew I was in good hands. He provided the perfect blend of conversation, humor, and help. He filled my bottles, brought me the (many) cups of iced ginger ale I requested, and filled my ice bandana. I was well cared for and left the aid station (for the next) having checked all of the required boxes with a ton of gratitude for Jamison and all of the other volunteers at that (and all) of the aid stations that day. I forget a lot of things about a lot of the races I do, but it is these experiences in these challenging conditions that are especially memorable. This year’s Afton was downright hot as well. In my conversations with runners at the finish line throughout the day on Saturday the first thing I heard, and have since heard in a number of emails, was runners describing this exact same experience, and showering praise upon you, our incredible volunteers, for your thoughtful care. Between your experienced and competent care, the now wide-spread adoption of ice bandanas, a record setting year for ice (1750 LBS!) and water used, together we hosted a safe and what will be memorable race for so many people. Your aid stations and you individually will forever be a part of someone’s Afton story.
I encourage you check out the full event recap HERE https://www.aftontrailrun.com/afton-2026-recap/
Thank you all, for everything. As always, please reach out if you need anything.
In Community,
John Storkamp
Race Director
Afton Trail Run