Lance Armstrong to pace ex-MLB player in Western States run
Eric Byrnes’ background as a professional baseball player isn’t the only thing that makes him stand out from the field in this weekend’s Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run.
Runners are encouraged to have pacers for the final 38 miles beginning at Foresthill. It’s often done in two segments, one joining the runner for 16 miles through the river crossing at Ruck a Chuck, the second the final 22 miles to Placer High School in Auburn.
Byrnes’ first pacer will be Franz Dill, who has finished the Western States four times and is a neighbor in Half Moon Bay.
Lance is going to take me home. What he brings is somebody who knows how to suffer better than anyone else in the history of endurance sports. I am honored that he would want to do it. Just like all of us in our lives, Lance has made some big mistakes. But for him to reach out to me, I think that says a lot.
Eric Byrnes
on Lance ArmstrongHis second pacer has a much more recognizable name. Former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong will accompany Byrnes to the finish. They have been friends since December when they met and played 18 holes of golf.
Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in 2012, cannot compete in the Western States because of his admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs. In early February, the event’s board of trustees adopted Performance Rule 18, a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding the use of PEDs.
The event’s “Rules for Pace Runners” concludes with “Pacers must comply with all run rules and regulations, including the performance rules, rules for pacers and all instructions from run personnel.”
Yet the board has welcomed Armstrong as a pacer.
“We would never consider drug testing a pacer,” said Dr. Gary Towle, a Western States board member since 1982. “In my opinion, Lance can pace, crew, sweep, volunteer or spectate if he wishes but never be an official entrant.”
Armstrong joined Byrnes in one of the event’s training runs in February, a few days after the board adopted the new PED rule.
“I understand they wanted to make some rules, and that’s what they get to do,” Armstrong told The Sacramento Bee before the training run. “But everyone was super cool, and it was beautiful terrain, absolutely mind-blowing. For me, there are no hard feelings about it.”
Byrnes said he appreciated Armstrong offering his help.
I understand they wanted to make some rules, and that’s what they get to do. But everyone was super cool, and it was beautiful terrain, absolutely mind-blowing. For me, there are no hard feelings about it.
Lance Armstrong
on the Western States’ “Rules for Pace Runners”“Lance is going to take me home,” he said. “What he brings is somebody who knows how to suffer better than anyone else in the history of endurance sports. I am honored that he would want to do it. Just like all of us in our lives, Lance has made some big mistakes. But for him to reach out to me, I think that says a lot.”
This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Lance Armstrong to pace ex-MLB player in Western States run."