Auburn's Tevis Cup Ride is on deck

While the Western States Endurance Run is the oldest 100-mile ultra-running event in the world, it was conceived by the Tevis Ride. And with the Western States stepping to the plate June 25 from Olympic Valley to Placer High School, the Tevis Cup Ride is on deck, scheduled for July 16 from Robie Park near Truckee to the Gold Country Fairgrounds. Each is considered the granddaddy event in its discipline. Robie and four others – Bill Patrick, Nick Mansfield, Dick Highfill and Pat Sewell – completed the first ride from Tahoe City to Auburn in 22 hours, 45 minutes on Aug. 7, 1955. And the Tevis Cup grew from there, hosting 271 riders in the 1987 event. "Wendell was the granddaddy. In the 1970s, Wendell showed us how fantastic our backyard was," said Shannon Weil, who helped start the Western States Endurance Run as one of the "Gang of 4," along with Mo Livermore, Phil Gardner and Curt Sproul. Several of the 137 current entries are from Auburn and the surrounding area, including Kathie Perry, one of just 10 people to complete the Tevis Cup Ride at least 20 times. Also entered are Jeremy Reynolds, the defending champion and a four-time winner, and his wife, Heather, who owns three Tevis titles. In addition to the Tevis Cup, which is awarded to the winning rider, the Haggin Cup is awarded to a horse among the top 10 finishers who shows to be in the "most superior physical condition," according to teviscup.org.