and they are off…

way off center!.the actual count turned out to be 113.a lot of them huffing and puffing as they climbed the 134 steps(someone counted)up to the beautiful fulton county courthouse..the mood on the ferry was so lighthearted and happy.at last the months of waiting were over.finally battle had been joined.the morning was coolthe wind in their faces felt so good.and everyone had a plan….at least until the courthouse steps gave them the first punch in the Read more

Ferry

When there were 3 of us starting the race back in 2005, we joked about how one day the ferry would be full… Now all the cool kids are here. We’ve improved the course to include the Fulton County courthouse and historic steps. Between huffs and puffs, the reviews were glowing. Someone even said, “now he’s gone too far!” – in the laz playbook that’s the highest form of praise.

t-8 hours

vol state update t-8 hours… . the training is done. the interminable bus ride endured. the last supper has been eaten. and now 114 runners try to get that one last painless sleep. . if they can only take their minds off just how far away they parked this morning. and the predicted 100 degree day waiting for them tomorrow. . if they can only calm the nerves. some lie awake because they have been Read more

Vol State ‘Rules’

So me and the brain trust have been working on an update of the rules. Everchanging technology (and the desire to use it in nefarious ways) along with the burgeoning ranks of road angels (and their desire to help) has created a few adjustments. As always comments are welcome. Maybe you will hit on points we forgot. At the very least you will get it off your chest! Now to see the results of the Read more

HOTS for the angels…

HOTS for the angels….i am a little fuzzy right now.no, to be honest i am a lot fuzzy right now.two weeks of sleep deprivationand craziness has my eyes barely staying open.but before i take this long awaited uninterrupted sleepi wanted to pass something along for the people who stepped up to help the runners in pursuit of their dreams,,,.we have, as we always do, a bunch of extra shirts.there is nothing to be done with Read more

216 hours

HOTS update; the final day.this is how it always ends.the winners went home long ago.most of the rest are in various stages of recuperation…..a handful of runners struggle on.this time there are 14 of them,strung out over 34 miles of road..everyone has passed chattanooga.the next finisher is still hours away.trudging painfully slowly down the side of the road.the last person in the field is locked in mortal combat with the grim reaper.their fate to be Read more

210 hours

HOTS update 8 days 18 hours the camp is quiet now.most everyone here is asleepkeeping themselves charged enough for upcoming ferries of tired runners down to motels to recover.we cant let them drive themselves in their debilitated state. strung out all the way back to signal mountain,singly, in twos and threesthe remaining 24 runners trudge thru the darkness… there are no owls or coyotes tonightas the air hangs thick and heavy. for those who remain Read more

192 hours

HOTS update 8 days hots 2022… redefining shitshow. the last 3 runners under 8 days put on quite a show coming up sand mountain. jason and scott made the turn and started up the mountain at 1 mile per hour… they were closing fast on chris,who was halfway up the mountain,and moving at a sizzling half mile an hour. god, i wish this had been broadcast:all night long,3 haggard, filthy figures alternately staggering to their Read more