Want to do 100 miles in a running event? This is the race to do it in. The support, party atmosphere, and people are all top notch. The Snowdrop 55-hour … MORE
Want to do 100 miles in a running event? This is the race to do it in. The support, party atmosphere, and people are all top notch. The Snowdrop 55-hour ultramarathon is put on to raise money for college scholarships for pediatric cancer patients and for pediatric cancer research. This year, the race was moved to a new venue in Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City, TX. The course was a 0.69 mile loop with approximately 1/3 on concrete path and 2/3 on dirt and fine gravel mixture. They had one aid station right along the course where you could just grab the hydration product of your choice and snack food, and also a covered aid station with a larger selection of products including coffee and hot chocolate. They also served meals 4 times a day to really fuel the fire. I reserved a cot during registration for the event, but didn’t reserve a tent. I guess I was thinking that I would bring my own backbacking tent, but decided to travel light. At the last minute, I asked the race director if they had any extra dome tents, and she said I could claim one if there were any extra ones not being used. It was just a comfort knowing that I had a place to lay down if the weather got bad. The weather at the start this year was overcast with temperatures in the mid-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Later in the afternoon it started drizzling and continued through most of the night. My goal was to finish 100K (62 miles) before the end of the first 24 hours. I managed to do it, but wasn’t able to sleep afterwards due to being wet from the mist and from sweat. I laid there a while in the tent shivering, so decided to go back out on the course and finish some more miles. While running, there was entertainment along the course. The first band was a contemporary one that played some classic tunes. Then there was a group of Irish dancers, followed by a mariachi band. There were also signs along the course with pictures of pediatric cancer patients in their honor or memory. This was kind of sad, but emphasized the importance of this event. I ended up finishing 100 miles in a little over 46 hours, and went back to my motel to get a little sleep. I woke up early the next day, checked in for my flight the next day, and went back to the course. I then walked another 4 miles, ending up with a total of 104.2. The swag for this even was fantastic, with a personal-size travel bag stuffed full of supplies including foot lube, a head lamp, a t-shirt, a visor, epsom salts, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bandana, a first aid kit, and much more. Very nice belt buckles were given for runners completing 100, 150, and 200 miles. All in all, I think this is my new favorite race.
Epic weekend
Want to do 100 miles in a running event? This is the race to do it in. The support, party atmosphere, and people are all top notch. The Snowdrop 55-hour … MORE
Want to do 100 miles in a running event? This is the race to do it in. The support, party atmosphere, and people are all top notch. The Snowdrop 55-hour ultramarathon is put on to raise money for college scholarships for pediatric cancer patients and for pediatric cancer research. This year, the race was moved to a new venue in Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City, TX. The course was a 0.69 mile loop with approximately 1/3 on concrete path and 2/3 on dirt and fine gravel mixture. They had one aid station right along the course where you could just grab the hydration product of your choice and snack food, and also a covered aid station with a larger selection of products including coffee and hot chocolate. They also served meals 4 times a day to really fuel the fire. I reserved a cot during registration for the event, but didn’t reserve a tent. I guess I was thinking that I would bring my own backbacking tent, but decided to travel light. At the last minute, I asked the race director if they had any extra dome tents, and she said I could claim one if there were any extra ones not being used. It was just a comfort knowing that I had a place to lay down if the weather got bad. The weather at the start this year was overcast with temperatures in the mid-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Later in the afternoon it started drizzling and continued through most of the night. My goal was to finish 100K (62 miles) before the end of the first 24 hours. I managed to do it, but wasn’t able to sleep afterwards due to being wet from the mist and from sweat. I laid there a while in the tent shivering, so decided to go back out on the course and finish some more miles. While running, there was entertainment along the course. The first band was a contemporary one that played some classic tunes. Then there was a group of Irish dancers, followed by a mariachi band. There were also signs along the course with pictures of pediatric cancer patients in their honor or memory. This was kind of sad, but emphasized the importance of this event. I ended up finishing 100 miles in a little over 46 hours, and went back to my motel to get a little sleep. I woke up early the next day, checked in for my flight the next day, and went back to the course. I then walked another 4 miles, ending up with a total of 104.2. The swag for this even was fantastic, with a personal-size travel bag stuffed full of supplies including foot lube, a head lamp, a t-shirt, a visor, epsom salts, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bandana, a first aid kit, and much more. Very nice belt buckles were given for runners completing 100, 150, and 200 miles. All in all, I think this is my new favorite race.