41st Mt. Taylor Quadrathlon

There's nothing like it!

“The Quad” as it’s locally known, took place this past weekend under some of the best weather conditions in recent memory.

Just after sunrise on a cool and brisk Saturday morning, over 200 participants lined up to bike, run, ski and snowshoe for 44 miles as they climb a volcano to gain 5,400 feet in elevation as they compete in the 41st annual Mt. Taylor Quadrathlon.

The quad’s transitions include biking 27 miles and climbing 1,700 vertical feet, running 10 miles and climbing 1,200 vertical feet. No stranger to the quad, Josiah Middaugh, a wiry 45-year-old, was one of those 200 plus that lined up by the 8 a.m. start time.

Middaugh, who was participating in his 12th quad, breezed through the finish line at three hours forty minutes and three seconds.

Middaugh had just won his 11th Quad.

“There is nothing like it—it really tests you in a lot of ways,” said Middaugh of the quad in a calm and reflective voice that showed no indication that he had just pushed his body over 40 miles of over mountainous terrain.

“It’s relentless—the grind, going uphill, you switch sports but you're still going uphill—the elevation is getting up above 11,000 feet,” said Middaugh of the challenges of the quad.

“It was amazing conditions –some of the best snow I’ve seen on the course,” said Middaugh echoing the voices of other racers who all indicated the highlight of this year’s quad was the “perfect” weather.

Resting on his bike, Middaugh went over some of his techniques for competing in the quad. He tries to take in 300400 calories an hour with gels and sport drinks to keep his body fueled. Equipment wise, this is the second time Middaugh has used ski mountaineering skis that have a metal edge and a hard boot “to make it less stressful,” on the ski portion said Middaugh.

When asked what brings him back, Middaugh said, “This is such a unique event—six transitions— it really tests you in a lot of ways,” said Middaugh. “You learn something every time.” Middaugh’s last quad was eight years ago.

Advice for those wanting to do the quad Middaugh strongly suggests starting with fitness and acquire the skills gradually. Also, aim for a high goal and take your time, he advises.

At 45, Middaugh, who had a professional triathlon career, has three children aged 19, 18 and 13 and spends his time trying to “keep up with them.”

Erin Castillo, a local resident, garnered first place in the female soloist category with a time of 5:00.37, almost 10 minutes off her previous best time.

Castillo summarized her experience by stating, “The conditions were perfect— a little icy and muddy two miles up — but the snow is perfect.” Castillo was on a personal mission of sorts, “I was hoping to do a personal record,” and she succeeded with her time of 5:00.37 How did Contestants Prepare for the Race?

“I can’t sit still—I did some running, I grew up with the quad,” said Castillo of her 10th quad and fifth time soloing. “I was hoping to have a good day–every year is a challenge–the most challenging is the ski downhill,” she said. Castillo, who used micro spikes on her shoes this year as an equipment upgrade, said that helped her improve her performance.

Local participant Frances Malaj, who was part of a team called the “Woodchucks” said the course was “great' ' and it was a “good day.”

Malaj crossed the finish line on his bike at 5:13.58. An equipment technique Malaj uses is placing plastic bags over his shoes at the run-ski transition to avoid getting mud in your bike cleats— which could prevent you from getting them into the pedals.

Timon Fish, on his third quad who placed second in the male soloist category, said of the quad, “It’s so unique. There are four sports, and you have to strategize—equipment choice—if you're weaker in one of the sports, you have to make it up [time] with another sport,” said Fish.

Fish’s other times were faster than this year and he was not even sure he would make the race as he suffered a stress factor earlier in the year and up until three days ago was not sure he was going to make it. When asked how he prepared, he said, “I mostly mentally prepared— as the stress fracture didn’t let me run or ski–I biked a lot.’