Stumptown 50K – He's So Back
- Ajay Hanspal
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
Distance: 31 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,000 ft
Time: 3:46:16
Place: 2nd Overall
Location: Forest Park, Portland, Oregon
That one hurt in all the best ways.
Stumptown 50K delivered everything I expected from a fast, rolling course with 4,000 ft of vert, and then some. While the trails may have been mostly runnable, runnable definitely didn’t mean easy. From the start, I committed to racing it hard and honest. No holding back, no waiting games, just effort from the gun and grit to the finish - sharing the trails with Hood Rover speedstar and friend Mino Giunta.
This was one of those races that doesn’t give you a moment to hide. The climbs weren’t long enough to settle into a grind and the descents weren’t steep enough to offer aerobic rest, just a relentless rhythm of hard-pressed miles on beautiful Oregon singletrack. Singletrack that has become my main training ground over the past 6 months.
We set out hard from the gun, Mino and I trading off at the front, chatting easily but keeping the pace honest as we rolled through the first miles. By the time we reached the first aid station at mile 7.9, we were still together. We paused briefly to refill bottles, and that’s when third place, John, surged past without stopping, making a decisive move that forced our hand.
The chase was on.
John pushed the pace and quickly opened a gap, especially on the climbs. While he had the edge on the ascents, Mino and I reeled him back in on the descents and managed to hold even on the flats. Over the next 15 miles or so, it was a relentless three-way race. The gaps ebbed and flowed, the lead constantly contested. None of us could afford to falter. There was no time to regroup, no room for mistakes. It was one of those rare races where it felt like we were always within reach of each other, running not just against the clock, but against every breath and move. Every corner, every footstep seemed to count today.
At the third aid station at the top of Firelane 5, John paused to refuel. I saw the opportunity and made my move, pushing hard to chase down Mino, who now had around 30 seconds on me. I managed to claw back the gap, and together we hammered the final sections, working hard to put time into John, ultimately gaining nearly ten minutes on him before the finish.
But the final stretch came down to fuel and decisions. At the last aid station, I saw we were both out of fluids and calories. I gambled, knowing Mino might skip the stop, I chose to grab a gel and some liquid, thinking it would give me the edge in the last 4 miles. It backfired. Mino charged ahead and regained a 30-second lead that I couldn’t close, finishing just 40-50 seconds ahead.
It was tough. It was fast. It was an absolute blast. A proper race in every sense, tactical, physical, and deeply satisfying.
I finished in 3:46, good enough for 2nd place overall, with my body feeling strong and my spirit completely full. It felt like a proper test of fitness, pacing, and mental resilience. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments of doubt or discomfort, there were, there always is, but I’m proud of how I showed up and kept pressing. That “maxed-out but minimal regrets” kind of effort.
This race meant more than just numbers on the clock. It marked another milestone in what’s been a long road of rebuilding; physically, mentally, and emotionally, after a series of setbacks and goal reshuffles earlier this year. I’m starting to feel like myself again, and races like this remind me why I keep showing up. So much more planned this year.
Massive thanks to the crew at @gobeyondracing for putting on such a slick, community-driven event. The volunteers were next level. Oregon’s trail running scene continues to impress me with its warmth, grit, and depth.
Special shoutout to @minogiunta for being class competition and trail company, and to my own coach brain for not sabotaging athlete brain mid-race. Sometimes that’s the real victory.
Fuel: 100g+ carbs per hour, courtesy of @carbsfuel.
Kit: ON Cloudboom zone, simple, fast, and bombproof.
Up next? Recovery, reflection, and a record/FKT attempt on Wildwood E2E2E before retuning to the mountains for the Triple D FKT, Volcanic 50k and some extra outings before the Tor Des Geants 330k. Always grateful to be back in the mix.
Let’s keep moving.
Ajay
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