What is a Gila monster?
Well it is a large venomous lizard named after the southwestern US Gila (pronounced hee-la) River. Its beaded and armored skin is black with orange and pink, it lives 20 years, has a very strong bite and is rumored to not let go it’s bite ’til the sun goes down….in all, it is ugly and fitting of this wild country. Why the road race is called the Gila Monster? Even though Silver City itself sits at 5800 feet of elevation (1800 meters), the pro course has three severe to extreme climbs, to elevations of 7400 feet (2255 meters). The estimated speed of this race tells the tale, just slightly over 20 miles per hour (32 kph). The race is as tough as the Gila monster and takes the tenacity of one to finish it. Wherry, Pate, Ubaldo Meza, Moninger – 2002 Gila Monster RR The courses of earlier NRC events pale in comparison. To me, this race, a favorite, more resembles the European stage races in terrain and required effort. It is hotly contested with pro men’s, pro women’s, women’s 2,3,4, seni
