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Barger, Murphy Set to Compete in El Cruce 100k Race
11/30/2023 9:01 AM | Cross Country, Track & Field
Keelah Barger and Grayson Murphy of Utah cross country and track & field to compete in El Cruce.
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah cross country and track and field alumna's Keelah Barger and Grayson Murphy are set to battle it out with the world's best in what is known as El Cruce "The Crossing" this weekend (Dec. 1-3) with The Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina serving as the beautiful backdrop for the 100k race.
Barger and Murphy are set to compete against competitors from 47 different countries around the world in the 21st edition of this race. Plaza Catalina Reynal at the base of Cerro Catedral will serve as home base for competitors before finishing at Bariloche on Cathedral Hill.
Day one (32km) will test Barger and Murphy right off the bat as they climb a mountain peak that measures at 2082m at its apex just 10km in before scrambling downhill. They'll then have to head up another incline before leveling off in the final 5km to get to camp. The two will have to climb a total of 1713m on day one with a descending distance of 1948m.
Day two (31k) is a much steadier incline that reaches 1879m at the peak before making a very steep descend at around the 21km mark. Once at the base, the final 10km evens out with some scrambling to get to the second base camp.
The third and final day (33k) won't have competitors going higher than 1359m but will test Barger and Murphy will several inclines and declines throughout the final stretch.
The three-day race will see competitors cross 32km of terrain on day 1, 31km on day 2 and 33km in the final stretch with an elevation gain of over 1600m each day across the western side of Patagonia.
Barger qualified for the race after winning the Jupiter Peak 25k back in July while Murphy earned an automatic spot as a member of the Saucony team, which is the title sponsor for the event.
For more information about El Cruce "The Crossing," click here.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Barger and Murphy are set to compete against competitors from 47 different countries around the world in the 21st edition of this race. Plaza Catalina Reynal at the base of Cerro Catedral will serve as home base for competitors before finishing at Bariloche on Cathedral Hill.
Day one (32km) will test Barger and Murphy right off the bat as they climb a mountain peak that measures at 2082m at its apex just 10km in before scrambling downhill. They'll then have to head up another incline before leveling off in the final 5km to get to camp. The two will have to climb a total of 1713m on day one with a descending distance of 1948m.
Day two (31k) is a much steadier incline that reaches 1879m at the peak before making a very steep descend at around the 21km mark. Once at the base, the final 10km evens out with some scrambling to get to the second base camp.
The third and final day (33k) won't have competitors going higher than 1359m but will test Barger and Murphy will several inclines and declines throughout the final stretch.
The three-day race will see competitors cross 32km of terrain on day 1, 31km on day 2 and 33km in the final stretch with an elevation gain of over 1600m each day across the western side of Patagonia.
Barger qualified for the race after winning the Jupiter Peak 25k back in July while Murphy earned an automatic spot as a member of the Saucony team, which is the title sponsor for the event.
For more information about El Cruce "The Crossing," click here.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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