Dances With Dirt Gnaw Bone

Great race. Love the course, love the atmosphere. My complaint - last year they had a early start and a later start. Not one thing was said about the early start were not available for awards. I finished the race in 8 place overall. I go and ask if I get an award after the race. I go over to the computer table and they tell me yes, that I finished 2nd in my age group and to go ask the worker over there and get your swag. Long story short they would not give it to me. After arguing for about 5 minutes and they not listening to any of my points. I left knowing I was calling the race director on Monday. I do so and it is more of the same. You got an advantage by starting 45 minutes early because if it was wet (which it hadn't rained for ever) I would have had an advantage. Told me that I wouldn't start a road marathon 45 minutes early. Yet my argument was they don't offer an early race start. I asked her to show me on the website where it said the early start doesn't get awards. She couldn't. Argued point after point for 30 minutes and finally said they would send me my award. I gave address and never got anything. Called a month later and left a message and no response. I let it go. I now see that this year there is no early start. Huh. Wonder why.

I gave the spectators 5 stars....all twelve of them. There were a couple of mountain bikers, a family on horseback and some kids riding bikes in a campground. They all said hi. If a trail race had any more that would be a bad thing. The course was technical but very well marked. The aid stations were plenty and appreciated on the warm muggy day. The organizers and volunteers have this event down, so big thanks to both, especially for the outstanding BBQ feed after. My only complaint is that I didn't pull the trigger on the 50 mile as I didn't want the 50K to be over but that beef is with me.

I ran the 50K and if you are wavering between the marathon and the 50K figure that you have generous time and lets face it, you are going to be hiking much of that last part anyway so go 50K! Now the first third of the race is tough; uphill on a sloppy (muddy) jeep trail followed by rolling single track. The 2nd third is tougher; single track turns muddier with more dashes across creeks and more climbs over deadfall. The last third is 'are you#@$!! kidding?' and the 'trail' diverts a couple times randomly uphill through the woods; climbing up and under deadfalls, hand-to-hand muddy slope climbing and where there is 'trail' it's generally a shoe sucking muddy gully with little traction. Then the fun begins with a plummet down a ski slope into several waist-deep river crossings. You finish by a beer garden, redeem your beer tickets and cheer the other crazy people home. It was a blast!