RACE DIRECTOR RACE REPORT
April 11, 2009 was an interesting day to run loop de loops around the Schuylkill River at the inaugural Philadelphia 100 Endurance Run. The race closed rather early with 25 participants, and it attracted some dedicated people from seven states who planned on running between four loops (33.6 miles) and twelve (100.8 miles). Josh Irvan ran from his home nearly 18 miles away, ran the course, then ran back home. Charlie Alewine flew in from California simply because it was a 100 miler … he won’t fly for less mileage. The Florida Brothers came to beat the race director at her home game, but they underestimated the power of Philadelphian elements. To demonstrate the caliber of runner this race attracted, one no show opted out because he hadn’t fully recovered from his win at another 100 mile race the week before. Ultrarunners can be a little crazy!
The race’s purpose was simple: to provide a cost free, hassle free distance run in the Philadelphia area on roads. I’m a distance runner and don’t like trail all that much, and I race a lot across the country and those race fees sure add up. I wanted to run from first continuous 100 miler in a formal race this particular weekend for personal reasons, yet I didn’t want to traipse around in the mud and creeks and other yucky things in the Midwest. So I decided to host an old school fat ass run in my backyard. I offered a for fee t-shirt option, but there were no costs involved as everyone self-supported. There was only one rule: run and report your time on the honor system. Runners started when they wanted, and ran as far as they wanted. Some ran through the night in pairs, and some ran only when the rain didn’t fall. Many used the Philadelphia 100 Endurance Run as a long training run for other ultramarathons later in the season. Suzanne Bodine ran it as her first ultramarathon, and took second place!
Speaking of rain … the weather was horrible for much of the race. Philip Harris later commented, “It was a memorable experience, made even more epic by the relentless rain for first 9+ hours!!” It rained for nine hours day one, and the wind chilled us to the bone. I actually ran a few loops wrapped in two shirts, a fleece vest, a rain jacket, two hats, gloves, and a piece of mylar to avoid hypothermia. Some runners cut short their day either because of the weather or because they were called to work, but given the tough conditions I’m amazed everyone who started was able to finish. Yes, it was very cold and wet as evidenced by the 8,247 layers of clothing I wore:
Race winners Charlie Alewine and your RD, me!
Everyone who participated loved the low key factor of the race. The flexibility of the start time allowed several individuals to compete who otherwise would not have been able due to work/family commitments. The option to choose how far you wanted to go while running the race itself enabled everyone to push themselves yet in a safe manner. The location allowed easy access to pre-prepared hydration/nutrition options as well as an option to buy on course from local businesses if that was preferred.
The inaugural Philadelphia 100 Endurance Run was a raging success. Every participant is planning on returning next spring for run #2. Now if only the weather cooperates ….
- Lauri Fauerbach Adams, Race Director
