The roots are really a thing, so be prepared. The course is beautiful and the people are great! This was my first 100 attempt, and while I didn't finish (DNF) … MORE
The roots are really a thing, so be prepared. The course is beautiful and the people are great! This was my first 100 attempt, and while I didn’t finish (DNF) I still had a great time overall. I will be back in 2022 for redemption. My only “complaint” is that the swag was practically nothing. You get your shirt, and a little bag with an advertisement printed on card paper. That was it. Not sure you should advertise that as “swag.”
With that being said, I will be back!
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Great race, non-existent swag
The roots are really a thing, so be prepared. The course is beautiful and the people are great! This was my first 100 attempt, and while I didn't finish (DNF) … MORE
The roots are really a thing, so be prepared. The course is beautiful and the people are great! This was my first 100 attempt, and while I didn’t finish (DNF) I still had a great time overall. I will be back in 2022 for redemption. My only “complaint” is that the swag was practically nothing. You get your shirt, and a little bag with an advertisement printed on card paper. That was it. Not sure you should advertise that as “swag.”
With that being said, I will be back!
Should have been called "Rooty Raccoon"
Overall Rating: Somewhere between "Way harder than I thought it was going to be" and "oh, my aching feet". WOW! Course Difficulty: Definitely not as hard as Bandera at Camp … MORE
Overall Rating: Somewhere between “Way harder than I thought it was going to be” and “oh, my aching feet”. WOW!
Course Difficulty: Definitely not as hard as Bandera at Camp Eagle, but it was tough and technical. During the day, I repeated this line thousands of times “don’t get distracted”. If you take your eyes off of the trail for a second, you’re going down…there are just that many roots. I was expecting a “few rollers” for hills, when in reality, there are a few flat spots-the rest is up and down. My Garmin showed about 4100′ of elevation gain.
Course Scenery: It was nice. Huntsville State Park is a pretty place, and a runner will get several views of the lake, swamp, sand washes, and backwoods. It was true to the area.
Race Production: Very good. Race started and continued with no problems, aid stations were well staffed and stocked, and course was marked really frequently so there was no fear of getting lost.
Race Swag: Good. Shiny new 100k buckle and nice long sleeve tee.
My Performance: Well…it’s complicated. The run started out ok, but then my feet began to ache. Not sure what was going on, maybe the water, the mud, the super soft ground, or all the roots, but they were killing me. So, I slowed down, walked a lot, enjoyed some good conversation with other runners and got my finish. Not great, but still a PR, so I’m good with it.
Final notes: There is one particular part of this race that is absolutely demoralizing. At mile 50 you come in to the starting line aid station for the 2nd time…trying to muster the strength to go out for that last 12 miles is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done; and I wasn’t alone. I spoke with and encouraged several other people who had decided they couldn’t do it, helped get them out of that dark place and back on the course. I remember telling one guy in particular “just imagine that you do quit, you go to the car, sleep for 8 hours, get back up and realize you still have 8 hours to finish the race; you’ll really regret doing that”. Apparently it was enough, because he finished.
Anyway, just because the race ads say “great first time ultramarathon” doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. This course nearly beat me.
20-mile loop course 100
The race is well-done and 20-mile loops are ideal for completing a 100-mile race because it is a long enough loop that you don't get bored and the changing light … MORE
The race is well-done and 20-mile loops are ideal for completing a 100-mile race because it is a long enough loop that you don’t get bored and the changing light of day changes the nature of the course. Runners should be sure-footed as there are lots of roots. Aid stations are 3 miles apart, though one is 6 miles. Elevation change is minimal and there are only 2 cutoffs on the course, 24 hours for 80 miles and 30 hours overall.