In 2 weeks, actually less than 2 weeks, the 4th running of the Barkley Book Fair will happen once again on Turkey Mountain. This is by far my favorite run of the year, and I do not even do it!! For three years, I have marked a fairly strenuous course of around 4.5 miles that TATURs and friends of TATURs get to run for FREE! Part of the allure of this race is that although there are obvious places where one could "cut the course" and also plenty of reasons to consider that, I place books out on the course and runners must tear a page out of the book that corresponds with their race number to prove to me that they are not cheaters and actually were tough enough to finish the course.
The day course usually has 5 or 6 books and has just one hill to climb. More than once, a swear word has been heard by those negotiating this one hill, but so far, no one has died from it.
Much of the day course is nice runnable single track trail, although there are a couple of rocky sections.
This time of year, there may be a few various reptiles heard slithering just off the trails in the underbrush, so while watching your step so as not to trip on rocks or roots, keep an eye out for anything living you would not want to step on.
Probably the most dangerous critter you might see on the day run is the mutated Easter Bunny that terrorizes the Bunny Trail.
It is because of this menacing creature that I have decided to not send the day runners back on the said Bunny Trail.
The day race starts at 6:30 pm, and runners have always been able to complete the day run before the sun goes down. One who can run/walk a 20 minute mile can finish the course in an hour and a half.
The night run as quite a different story. First off, it is at night. It is a different course and most years, I have made it 5-6 times harder than the day course, although I heard some whiners last year saying they thought the night course was a little too easy. (And this year, they will PAY for that!) Whereas the day course is well marked, the night course is less so. Last year, I was generous with the pink ribbons, but this year, I am going green. Green does not show up all that well at night, and I don't want the local landfills to be overrun with excessive discarded ribbons, so runners will have to rely on a map that I will have for sale before the race.
I am thinking maybe 8-10 books. I suggest you bring a few things to this run, such as a flashlight and/or headlamp, some bug spray, a cell phone, band-aids, snake bite kit, water bottle, duct tape, wetsuit if desired, an innertube or rubber duckie flotation device, one of those Star Trek communicater devices so Scotty can beam you up, a small machete, and a ball peen hammer. (Please leave the machete and ball peen hammer at the last book area before proceeding to the finish area.
Seriously, you can expect 7-8 miles of trail, some trail that you have never been on, some trail that you will never want to be on again, some decent hills, (see above elevation profile of last years night run) and for sure, a surprise or three. I am not talking things like a guy in a hockey mask and a chain saw, but you may see some weird things out there. But, after finishing, licking your wounds, and such, I think most will be a combination of pissed, amused, and thrilled.
Threats to the RD will be evaluated, brief outbursts of whining will be tolerated and will be treated with nonchalance and beer. Donations to TATUR will be appreciated (someone pays for all the great refreshments and such at the aid stations.)
Saturday June 27th....the fun starts at 6:00 pm, and ends up late and sometimes we end up at IHOP. You'll kick yourself if you miss it!
The day course usually has 5 or 6 books and has just one hill to climb. More than once, a swear word has been heard by those negotiating this one hill, but so far, no one has died from it.
Much of the day course is nice runnable single track trail, although there are a couple of rocky sections.
This time of year, there may be a few various reptiles heard slithering just off the trails in the underbrush, so while watching your step so as not to trip on rocks or roots, keep an eye out for anything living you would not want to step on.Probably the most dangerous critter you might see on the day run is the mutated Easter Bunny that terrorizes the Bunny Trail.
It is because of this menacing creature that I have decided to not send the day runners back on the said Bunny Trail.The day race starts at 6:30 pm, and runners have always been able to complete the day run before the sun goes down. One who can run/walk a 20 minute mile can finish the course in an hour and a half.
The night run as quite a different story. First off, it is at night. It is a different course and most years, I have made it 5-6 times harder than the day course, although I heard some whiners last year saying they thought the night course was a little too easy. (And this year, they will PAY for that!) Whereas the day course is well marked, the night course is less so. Last year, I was generous with the pink ribbons, but this year, I am going green. Green does not show up all that well at night, and I don't want the local landfills to be overrun with excessive discarded ribbons, so runners will have to rely on a map that I will have for sale before the race.
I am thinking maybe 8-10 books. I suggest you bring a few things to this run, such as a flashlight and/or headlamp, some bug spray, a cell phone, band-aids, snake bite kit, water bottle, duct tape, wetsuit if desired, an innertube or rubber duckie flotation device, one of those Star Trek communicater devices so Scotty can beam you up, a small machete, and a ball peen hammer. (Please leave the machete and ball peen hammer at the last book area before proceeding to the finish area.
Seriously, you can expect 7-8 miles of trail, some trail that you have never been on, some trail that you will never want to be on again, some decent hills, (see above elevation profile of last years night run) and for sure, a surprise or three. I am not talking things like a guy in a hockey mask and a chain saw, but you may see some weird things out there. But, after finishing, licking your wounds, and such, I think most will be a combination of pissed, amused, and thrilled.
Threats to the RD will be evaluated, brief outbursts of whining will be tolerated and will be treated with nonchalance and beer. Donations to TATUR will be appreciated (someone pays for all the great refreshments and such at the aid stations.)Saturday June 27th....the fun starts at 6:00 pm, and ends up late and sometimes we end up at IHOP. You'll kick yourself if you miss it!
No comments:
Post a Comment