Mountain cats pose threat to runners

Runners in the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Race will have to watch their backs this year. They are not alone on the trail.

Mountain lions, or cougars, are native to the Sierra Nevada foothills through which the race makes its grueling way. And they often don't take kindly to people. In April 1994, two months before that year's race, a woman was killed by a mountain lion while running alone on the Western States trail. And cougars have been sighted this year--as recently as June 21, according to Auburn residents--near the race route.

Western States race director Norm Klein says that runners are cautioned to be careful, but that he is not worried about cougar attacks. "You can rest assured there aren't going to be any," he said, noting that there is some safety in numbers, and that 676 ultrarunners have already signed up.

"I'm more likely to run with other people, instead of solo, when I'm in an area where 'dangerous animal life' such as cougars, rattlers, etc. have been reported," first-time Western States 100 entrant Stan Jensen said. "However, I consider dehydration and broken bones to be equivalent risks to solo running."

Other risks include uneven terrain, dust, mud from recent rains, bears, and snakes, Klein said.

According to the California State Department of Fish and Game, there are an estimated seven to 10 cougars per 100 square miles in the Auburn area.

"I'm not concerned about the cougar sightings," said Jensen, who has never seen one himself. "I figure that there will be so many noisy people in the area that any animal with an ounce of sense will take the day off."

Cougars have become a focus of debate in California, where a number of attacks on humans has led many to argue for tighter control of these aggressive mountain cats. Others defend the cougar as an important natural symbol and a species with a right to roam free in the wild. Earlier this year, California voters rejected a proposal that would have allowed limited hunting of the animal.

Ironically, the controversial cat is the mascot of the Western States 100. This year as always, all entrants will set their hearts on the precious winner's trophy: a bronze cougar.