Western States Finisher Starting to Think No One Will Ever Ask About His Belt Buckle
/
Depositphotos.com
A local runner who finished the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run over the weekend is beginning to think no one will ever inquire about the belt buckle he earned there as a finisher, Dumb Runner has learned.
Western States, which bills itself as the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race, bestows a silver belt buckle to runners who finish the race in less than 24 hours and bronze version for those who finish under 30 hours. The belt buckles are among the most coveted awards in the ultra running community.
Larry Hubbard, 25, who finished the race yesterday in 27 hours 33 minutes, was wearing his bronze buckle when he headed a nearby tavern to celebrate. No one seemed to notice Hubbard or his belt as he entered the establishment, a source said, and neither the other patrons nor the bartender mentioned his buckle as Hubbard ordered a beer and took a seat at the bar.
According to the source, Hubbard didn’t mention his accomplishment to anyone, though “he did make a bit of a show about sitting down,” wincing as he lowered himself onto a stool and muttering, “oof, 100 miles.”
The bartender, whose back was to Hubbard at the time, did not react.
At last report, Hubbard was mulling a slow walk to the restroom past a table full of young women while tucking in his shirt.
