You will be tested. Physically, mentally, maybe even spiritually. Are you strong enough to endure?
The Temptation 200 Ultras will find your weaknesses and exploit them. At the height of your suffering the race directors will offer you choices… temptations… do you take an official finish on the shorter distance (50K, 100K, 150K) and their beautiful awards? Or can you give just a few more loops to earn the very exclusive 200KM buckle? It is tempting… do you end your journey for the reward now, or continue to endure the challenge to earn the most coveted award of the race?
The trail will consist of a approximately 15 mile loop around Sand Ridge State Forest. This forest is a 7200 acre island surrounded by farm fields. It represents a unique and beautiful ecosystem unlike anywhere else in the state. The most notable feature is the soft sandy soil. It allows the native population of prickly pear cactus to thrive despite the Illinois otherwise incompatible climate.
Since the native soil consists of a large amount of sand, the runners will generally benefit from dry feet for the whole race unless it’s actively raining. No creeks, no mud, and the puddles drain almost instantly. The blessing and curse of the trail is that some portions of the trail are soft and rolling, not unlike a sand dune. Wearing gaiters is recommended to keep the sand out of your shoes. Other portions are flat, well packed, and very runnable.
The soft portions of the trail we affectionately refer to as “tank traps”. They take the place of big hills on our course. You’d normally have to walk big hills… and here you’ll probably want to walk some of the soft areas. Many times you can avoid the soft sand by picking a line near the side of the trail where the roots of plants stabilize the sand.
The course will wander primarily through forest “double track” trail mixed with single track, through native hardwood forest, sand prairie, and old experimental pine plantations.
The total elevation gain is mild compared to many trail ultras but more than the flat rail-trail ultras.
All runners start as 200K participants, toeing the line together. They all have the chance to continue or drop at any time. Some may only set out to take on 50K, while others yearn for more. But if you set out for 50K and find yourself thinking… ”maybe I could do a little more and get that buckle”, the race directors will let you and play the role of devil on your shoulder, whispering in your ear “it’s only 2 more loops, and that’s really just 1 loop and a victory loop… how hard can it be?” If you set out for the full 200K but find yourself feeling weak and worn down, thinking that a 100k buckle is “good enough”… so too will the race directors tempt you.
All runners can choose to run any distance on race day. Are you tough enough to make your goal? Or maybe you’re tougher than you give yourself credit for?
Participants who complete 50K (2 loops of the course) and decline to go further will receive a custom medallion. A token to remind them of the distance they achieved and what more can still lie ahead. Their time will be recorded as an official 50K finish.
Participants who push a mere 2 loops beyond that will receive the first buckle of the race. A beautiful antique brass finished buckle emblazoned with the distance they overcame – 100Km – it’s a stunning buckle and it may be tempting to stop here. You’ve already accomplished so much, and you’ll be given full credit for a 100K finish.
But can you give just two laps more? Do you really hurt that bad? 150km rewards the runner with a glorious buckle in a breath-taking nickle finish. It proudly displays your distance of 150Km. You’ll get full credit for a 150k finish. Can this motivate you this far? So close… but only 2 more laps and you’d have the 200… 2 is a small number! Why quit now?
For those who dig the deepest come the ultimate rewards of the race. The beautiful highly detailed two tone 200km buckle. A work of art. The apex of accomplishment for the weekend. Exclusively for the runners who overcame the temptations of the lower distances or who did more than they ever believed to be possible.
But be warned: those who forgo a finish at a certain distance in an attempt to reach beyond and fail (passing 50K for example and failing to reach 100K) will be counted as a DNF. To loosely quote TS Eliot: Only those who risk going too far, can find out how far they can truly go. There is no reward without risk.
The male and female who win overall at 200Km will receive an additional award for their efforts. There will also be an award for the last place runner who survived cutoffs and exhaustion to finish in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. These are guaranteed to be high end pieces that you will display proudly in your home. To the victors go the spoils.
How tough are you? Dig deep.
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