The Carolina Reaper Challenge marathon format is (One 2.6 mile loop every 45 min) x 10, in the mid day, mid summer heat of South Carolina. It’s held at a … MORE
The Carolina Reaper Challenge marathon format is (One 2.6 mile loop every 45 min) x 10, in the mid day, mid summer heat of South Carolina.
It’s held at a sports complex in Anderson SC, about 14 miles south of Clemson. The course loops around sports fields on a greenway like track. All four distances run the same loop and start together on the 45 minute intervals – just at later ones depending on the distance, and finish at the same last interval. The intent seems to be for as much of the intervals to be at peak heat as possible. My watch had 144 ft of ascent.
The 2023 production was excellent – communication, course marking, packet pickup, race management, party like atmosphere. Many people brought canopies to recover under while waiting for the next interval, really a good idea.
I got 4 loops in and then DNF’d but was completely satisfied and had a great time. I felt this was the best challenge around that day. I do poorly in the heat and was looking for practice, a supported run like this seemed like a good idea and it was. I saw on Upstate Running Club’s Facebook page that the heat index was 103; it definitely was mostly direct sun (a few scattered clouds) and I can believe it. I tried to stretch it out and hope for overcast and scattered rain like the day before but ended up very satisfied with 10 miles over 4 loops.
I definitely would recommend it and try it next year if I can.
I signed up for the marathon
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Challenge is right
The Carolina Reaper Challenge marathon format is (One 2.6 mile loop every 45 min) x 10, in the mid day, mid summer heat of South Carolina. It’s held at a … MORE
The Carolina Reaper Challenge marathon format is (One 2.6 mile loop every 45 min) x 10, in the mid day, mid summer heat of South Carolina.
It’s held at a sports complex in Anderson SC, about 14 miles south of Clemson. The course loops around sports fields on a greenway like track. All four distances run the same loop and start together on the 45 minute intervals – just at later ones depending on the distance, and finish at the same last interval. The intent seems to be for as much of the intervals to be at peak heat as possible. My watch had 144 ft of ascent.
The 2023 production was excellent – communication, course marking, packet pickup, race management, party like atmosphere. Many people brought canopies to recover under while waiting for the next interval, really a good idea.
I got 4 loops in and then DNF’d but was completely satisfied and had a great time. I felt this was the best challenge around that day. I do poorly in the heat and was looking for practice, a supported run like this seemed like a good idea and it was. I saw on Upstate Running Club’s Facebook page that the heat index was 103; it definitely was mostly direct sun (a few scattered clouds) and I can believe it. I tried to stretch it out and hope for overcast and scattered rain like the day before but ended up very satisfied with 10 miles over 4 loops.
I definitely would recommend it and try it next year if I can.
I signed up for the marathon
Hot and hilly!
This is a very interesting take on a marathon. 2.62 mile loops, with a 40 minute cutoff for each loop. The goal of this race is to run in the … MORE
This is a very interesting take on a marathon. 2.62 mile loops, with a 40 minute cutoff for each loop. The goal of this race is to run in the heat (starts at 1pm in July). Very fun, but very difficult to hydrate enough. Very good support and very well put together. I finished last year, but DNF this year.