Click here for all 402 photos of
The 2011 Umstead Endurance Run
Taken by Shannon at Tom's Ptomaine Tavern.
The 2011 Umstead Endurance Run
Taken by Shannon at Tom's Ptomaine Tavern.
Let us know if you want any high resolution images. It would make Shannon very happy to give them to you.
It was volunteering at Tom's Ptomaine Tavern in 2009 that introduced Shannon and I to the bizarre and awe inspiring world of the Ultra Marathon.
We returned to the Umstead Endurance Run in 2010 as runners, but dropped out after running a measly 50 miles.
Accepting our limitations, we volunteered again this year. Shannon got pictures, or course.
Tom's Tavern has to be the greatest aid station anywhere. It almost has too much to offer, as runners are overwhelmed with choices when they come by.
Want a burger? Regular or veggie? Bun? White bread? Mustard? Ketchup? What kind of cheese you want on that? Crap, sorry we don't have any pickles.
Soup? What kind? Pizza? Three toppings to choose from.
One runner asked for Oreo cookies. Not the regular ones, the vanilla ones. They had those.
We were there Saturday evening, filling up some water bottles but mostly just getting in the the way.
After a few hours I became exhausted, and my feet and legs were very sore. I absolutely could not continue, so we headed home at 10pm.
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| Frank Lilley runs in style. |
For this amazing feat of volunteering we received shirts, blankets, and a kick ass duffel bag. Tom really appreciates the volunteers, even mostly useless ones like us.
We got a good nights sleep and came back to find Tom and Dorothy still there. They must have been up for 48 hours straight.
We saw the last few runners come by around 9am, hoping to make the 30 hour cut off. One woman we had last seen the night before in a cot covered in a blanket. We assumed she had dropped out, but there she was 12 hours later, about to finish 100 miles. Amazing.
Congrats to all the runners who even attempted to conquer 100 miles. As I painfully struggle through 30 mile weeks, I lack the words to describe how impressed I am with all of you.
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| Thanks Tom (and Dorothy), for best aid station anywhere! |
Amazing the energy they had when I ran through there with my runner around 3:30.
ReplyDeleteIn the morning!
The long exposure headlamp picture is awesome! Do you have one of me? ;-)
ReplyDelete@Dan- yep, you're in there. Check the link to all the shots at the top of the post.
ReplyDeletehere is at least one:
https://picasaweb.google.com/105457834187068788636/Umstead100_2011#5591531984668150882
Dan, Send me your email address through FB, and I will get you the higher res! You were so fast out there!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to think of the 100 mile runners, but it's almost equally amazing at all the volunteers at a race like that. I mean, you just said Tom & Dorothy were probably up for 48hours, geez. That takes as much dedication as running the race does!!
ReplyDeleteAnd as always, amazing pictures
Amazing photos! My girlfriend and I did a recovery run past that aid station on Sunday morning, and the aura of the event was incredible, even around the cutoff. It really is pushing the limits of human endurance, and will, to cover that distance.
ReplyDeleteAwesome of you guys to volunteer!