Pamela Myrick's Staging Area

The shuttle wait was long because there were issues with the first wave (they said people were late and it’s never happened that way before). The bus ride up the mountain took about 45 min — took this time to use the restroom on the bus. The start was a little strange – I arrived after the first wave and about 30 min before the second. People were just starting, so that’s what I did, which was nice because I didn’t have a crowd. The first few miles were rough getting used to the altitude and the rocky trail. I never felt unsafe, however. During this time the scenery is all woods and creeks – beautiful. Once you turn onto the paved road, the fun begins. Flats and downhills keep you moving FAST! The occasional vista pops out between trees. After the mountain portion and you enter into town, you can expect a very suburban feel and small rolling hills (so be prepared to slow down after the fast downhill). The volunteers/safety staff were awesome and so supportive! Be careful entering the finish area – it’s crowded with campers and the sidewalk is narrow. Finish line is also crowded so move to the back to stay out of people’s way. Tell your family to get on the bus EARLY – My family missed my finish because they were stuck in line.