The Angeles Crest 100 Mile Trail Race Sweep Teams not only take down all the course trail markers, but they provide a degree of runner safety by following as close as possible behind the last runner in case they need help. Teams are made up of 2-4 people who are experienced trail runners capable of easily dong the segment between aid stations. Within the teams at least one must be a licensed ham radio operator to facilitate calling in Search and Rescue if necessary since cell phones are unreliable in the mountains. Some also have EMT, CERT or other medical training. Sweep teams leave at aid station cutoff times and never pass or crowd a runner.

Rick Besocke, Sweep Manager: What a great weekend! I’m very proud of the work Sweep Teams all did to help keep the competitors safe during this challenging AC100 event. I received numerous compliments from the runners, crews, aid station volunteers and fellow amateur radio operators about your courtesy and competence. It was obvious that you all took the job seriously and your efforts were greatly appreciated. AC100, Oct. 3-4, 2026.

Sweep Team 1- Eric Haley, Phoebe Chiang, Kathy Kennedy (KO6MVE), Frank Laipert (KO6MKC) - arrives at the Clear Creek aid station and helping a runner on the way.

Clear Creek to Red Box including the Josephine Peak aid station 13.4 miles. Start at the Clear Creek cutoff time of 8:30am. Cutoff at Red Box 12:25pm. Average pace 17:32 min/mile

Dave Scobie, Laura Sohaskey, Beth Epstein (KN6VFR), Dr. Kim Gimenez (KO6MUK) checking in with Matt Obermayer (KF6BRC) the Clear Creek aid station ham to verify radio communications and if any runners up trail have been reported as lost or in need of help.

Team 2 with two runners they helped climb up to Mt. Lawlor and down to the Red Box aid station.

Kim Gimenez: I thought it went well. It was very hot. We escorted 3 runners to Red Box. We carried water and Gatorade which we bought for the runners. All 3 needed Gatorade. I used the water only to wet some of their clothes. All 3 were just moving slowly. When we reached strawberry saddle, 19 runners were still headed to red box, so a lot of folks were moving slowly. A number of folks missed the cut off at Redbox.

Beth Epstein: We had one runner heading downhill the wrong direction to Clear Creek while we were heading up, his own fault really, but the signage could have been a little better, I guess, or there could have been one person directing everyone. Kim and Dave went up to Josephine but by the time they got up there everyone had started down. Sounded like a great group up there.. Waiting at the Gap, Laura and I saw some runners who looked like they might not make the Red Box cutoff as they headed outbound, and one said he knew it but wanted to push as hard as he could to try. We ran into him before the Portrero, and he was fine but clearly behind pace. There was a fair amount of shade on that north side of Strawberry thank God, but when you left the Portrero and came around the ridge into the sun and the steep uphill started you could really feel the heat. I'm sure that's what caused most of the drops. We communicated with Rick at Colby trail Jct, then again at Lawlor Saddle. A hundred yards before the saddle we ran into two more runners who were struggling though still moving. Actually one who was struggling and a guy who knew he wouldn't make the cutoff so stayed with her. She was having stomach issues and just past the saddle she needed to sit a bit in the shade and we gave them both some gatorade and water, and wet her kerchief. She was able to continue after about 5 minutes and we walked the rest of the way in with all 3 runners, arriving about 45 minutes after the cutoff.

Randy Wong refills the water packs of some hikers they found who were out and trying to cool off in the shade on the Rincon/Red Box road toward Newcomb Saddle 1. 3 runners who were not able to continue to Shortcut 1 at Newcomb 1 rested a few hours and then proceed down to Chantry Flat on their own but 2 others were not, so Rick and Randy gave them a ride back to Red Box.

Chilao 1 starting at 8:10pm going 3.7 miles to the Mt. Hillyer turn around, but not picking up trail until meeting sweep team 5 coming back down from Mt. Hillyer. Pace 24:08 min/mile.

Tom Rosebrook: Jim and I got to Hillyer a few minutes after cutoff. We had a runner who stopped just before getting on the trail at Chilao and had to wait until he decided to quit. We met Maria and Dave about .25 before the aid station. Ribbons were sparse between Horse Flats and Chilao.

3.7 miles starting at 9:40pm from Mt. Hillyer not picking up trail markers until meeting sweep team 4 coming up from Chilao 1. 21:27 pace, cutoff at Chilao 211:00pm.

Trekking poles were useful on the steep and technical portion around Mt. Hillyer. A fanny pack pouch would make it easier to use for collecting trail ribbons vs. a bag. Met Team 4 coming up from Chilao 1 near the peak.

Chilao 2 to Shortcut 2 6.4 miles starting at 11:00pm, 22:37 min/mile pace.

Jeff Liter: We did catch up with one runner. She just ran out of steam. She made it to Charlton Flat, and Rick picked her up and drove her to Shortcut. Other than that it was uneventful.

Amy Kinnisten: We followed a runner and his pacer from mile 3 of our 16 mile sweep. He was struggling with keeping nutrients down and was only drinking water. We were able to offer him water with the extra bottles we were carrying on us. It was a slow sweep from Shortcut Saddle through Newcomb aid station to Chantry, but we all made it safely. It was also my first time on the trails, when I would usually be sleeping, 1am-9:30am. I welcomed the experience, as I hope one day to run AC 100. It's always a pleasure to give back to the running community! This was my second year sweeping AC100 and always have a great time doing it! Love the sweep shirts, aid stations were able to recognize us right away and truly felt like a team.

Chantry Flat starting at 6:20am going 6.1 miles up to Mt. Wilson. Pace 31:58 min/mile.

Dave Sundius: The sweep went really well for our group. I was concerned with the long uphill climb to Mt Wilson that there might be a lot of drops. It turned out that we never saw any runners and the weather stayed cool the whole way. I'm glad I had extra water because I needed it for my self. I noticed that all but one of the runners that left Chantry made it to the finish on time. The comms worked well on our segment. All three of us had radios and licenses.

Mt. Wilson starting at 9:35am going 11.6 miles through Sam Merrill to Millard. Pace average 17 min/mile.

Isaac West (KK6RFT), Robin McGuire, Josh Ward, Mike McGuire, get ready to sweep from the aid station in the Cosmic Cafe parking lot at Mt. Wilson.

Robin McGuire, Josh Ward, Mike McGuire, Isaac West (KK6RFT) decide who will go first through the Mueller Tunnel on the Mt. Lowe road.

Millard to the finish 4.4 miles starting at 12:50pm. Runners must cross the finish line before 2pm in this 33 hour event.