Results

This will be updated with thoughts and more of a report throughout the week before I submit it to Ultrarunning Magazine.

EPIC Day. Weather was crazy. This really was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Eight crazy runners started from my house at a few minutes after 4:00 Saturday morning.

By the end of the day, four of us made it back to my house covering at least 40 miles. One runner made it back, but had some assistance along the course, a few stopped early at various places and one joined us at mile 12.5 for the ~28 miles back.

Preliminary Results

John Hinson, 40+ miles, 7:35
C.H. Christopher, 40+ miles, 7:35
Brad Smythe, 40+ miles, 7:35
John Robinson, 40+ miles, 8:50
Karen Pearson, ~35 miles, 10:37
Donna Raye, ~32 miles, 7:04
Lara Treguboff, ~28 miles
Brad Fogelman, ~23 miles
Matt Smythe, ~21 miles

The rain started as we took our first steps, and kept up for the next 6 hours. It was dark and stormy with lightning and thunder for hours Saturday morning as we tried to follow the Raleigh Greenway System around the City.

The most insane and stupid thing I've done in a long time was when five of us guys reached the tunnel under the railroad and Hammond Road. The tunnel was flooded with about 4 1/2' of water. Not really wanting to go around and the over option looking impossible, we decided to wade through. Cell phones held above our heads, we actually went through relatively unscathed. Dreams will likely be haunted. It was about 200' long and dark, so we just kept our eyes fixed on the light at the far end and kept moving. Had any of us been alone, there's no chance we would have gone, but with the numbers for safety, we felt ok.

More to come...

A few notes

Please study the course map found here:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/34124608

I'll be marking the course this week with spray paint at all the intersections, but please get familiar with the course. For the most part, you'll be on your own in a city you're not used to running in. During the run, if in doubt, stay on the greenway. If you get confused, back up a little bit and look on the ground for red arrows.

I'll give you a few cell phone numbers Saturday morning for you to have with you during the run. One will be mine, and I'll have my phone with me. One will be my dad's and he'll be on the course in a few places and will be able to pick up anyone who can't (doesn't want to) finish. One will be the Police Department, you know, just in case.

Remember, we start at 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

Last call for runners

If you're on the fence, don't bother. If you're in, let me know ASAP. I wouldn't advise doing this on a whim.

Cancellation Policy

I might cancel the event, but I might not. That's the "policy". It will be based on how bad an idea I really think it is. Actually, if it turns out that I have to cancel, I'll issue full refunds and will keep the course open for any and all who wish to still complete it. Right now, odds are about 5:3 for keeping the event on. So keep it penciled in. If I don't have you on the list, but I should, let me know.

(Frequently?) Asked Questions

No matter how silly:

1. Age group awards? No
2. How about facial hair? the more the better
3. More points if one wears pink? +5 if you wear a pink shirt. -5 if you get shot because of it.
4. Can one use starter blocks for the start? Starting blocks encouraged (but no bonus points)
5. Can I bring my pet unicorn? i'm sorry, for the safety of other runners, unicorns are not allowed due to the dark morning start.
6. How big is the loop? 40 miles
7. Can I pay the $10 in pennies? Yes, but they have to be rolled in $.50 rolls
8. Where in the world is carmen san diego? California
9. What about headphones? not allowed, for your safety
10. Is there a time limit? no, feel free to spend as much time covering the course as you want

Course

what i love about this, isn't the course, but the fact that after running 40 miles, you only need to rehydrate with 25oz of gatorade. sweet.

map is provided. course starts and ends at my house, traverses a lot of the city of raleigh greenway system, runs some on sidewalks and cuts through umstead park for about 4 miles. the first half will be mostly flat, the second half will be hilly(ish). it's one big loop.

Aid

It's doubtful there will be any support for this run. It is an un-aided event. However, you might want to bring some cash with you to support the fine convenient store establishments along the way. I'll post a list and approximate mileage between "stops" prior to the event. I may be able to supplement these with a couple more...don't plan your aid around me though or you might be disappointed.

Entry

Entry is (net) free. However, you must send me a crisp (or wrinkled, I don't care) $10 to reserve your spot. If you show up run morning I give you your $10 back. If you don't show up, thanks, you bought us post-race refreshment!

Post Event

I'll fire up the grill (as if you haven't been hot enough all day) and will cook burgers and hotdogs. In addition, I'll have made some great sides and will have plenty of fluids. Feel free to chill and hang out as long as Andrea lets us. Finn's pool might also be full, though it's doubtful he'll let us play in it.

Event Beer

for the purpose of scoring and re-hydrating shall be either miller high life or pabst blue ribbon, as provided by myself. otherwise, you may bring your beverage of choice, as long as you bring a few others to share.

Categories

Solo - teams of 1 (duh)

Relay - teams of 2. one runs, the other bikes. one bike per team. not a ride and tie. can "tag" as many times as you want, as often as you want.

Relay - teams of 3. one runs, the other two bike. two bikes per team. can "tag" as often as you want. one bike must stay with runner at all times.

This is a bad idea - DETAILS

Date: August 6th.
Start Time: 0400.
Start/Finish: Our house (the one we live in)
Course: 40 miles, one big loop of Raleigh
Cost: $0 ($10 deposit, refundable run morning, provided you show up. see "ENTRY" post)