WOW! In less than TWO WEEKS, it will be the 5th running of the BARKLEY BOOK FAIR. This is the oldest running trail run in Tulsa. It is a small event--I prefer to keep it that way. Here's the deal--I have fashioned this run after the REAL Barkley in Frozen Head State park in Tennessee. The original Barkley is a 100 mile event with a 60 mile fun run. In the Barkley, books are hidden and participants have to find these books and tear out the page that corresponds with their race number. In you are number 114, you have to tear out page 114 in the books hidden along the course to prove that you were really there.
Now my event is on Turkey Mountain and is far less than 100 miles. I also have 2 events--a day run that starts around 6:30 pm and is about 4.5 miles long and has 5 books. The course has remained the same for each of the first 4 years, and is on trails that most Turkey Mountain trail runners will recognize. It will be well marked, and few people have got lost on this run. Yes, there are some hills. No, you do not have to go up LipBuster.
But there IS a hill that is STEEPER than LipBuster! But you can do it!
Then, after the sun goes down, the NIGHT RUN begins. The course for the night run is different every year. It is sparsely marked. Sometimes I provide some crudely drawn maps. The distance is usually 7-8 miles, and has 10-12 books. The course is as hard as I can make it, within reason. (insert maniacal laugh here)
In years past, there have been some rickety bridges to cross, ropes to assist scaling bluffs, makeshift wood ladders, water crossings, caves, underwater caves, and if you are lucky enough (or unlucky enough) time wormholes.
The above profile was from a couple of years ago--and for the past two years, I have heard murmurings that the course was too easy. HMMPH!! We'll see about that this year. I hope you like my maps!
The day run is open to TATURs and friends of TATURs. The night run is also open to the same peeps, but it would be best you have done some night running before. And are not afraid of mountain lions. And snakes. And ticks. I also will want a hand written letter requesting entrance to the night event.
If you just cannot bring yourself to write a plea on a piece of notebook paper or on the back of a Subway napkin, then I at least would like some verbal groveling.
Seriously, everyone who has done this race has had fun (except for that guy who got lost and was out there for a couple of days.) There is no charge for this event, although if you wanna toss a buck or two in a coffee can to offset some of the aid station food stuff, it would be appreciated.
One year, we ended up at IHOP after the night run was over. Kathy had mud on her legs and twigs in her hair. Another guy had a bloody leg. I smelled like I desperately needed a shower and some deodorant, and had a couple of ticks on my leg. Dana looked fine, not a hair out of place, but was crinkling up her nose at me. Brian walked in with his headlamp still on. Needless to say, they parked us way way in the back of the restaurant.
The fun starts Saturday night, June 26th. The day runners go off at 6:30, and almost all of the run is under the cover of the lush foliage of Turkey Mountain. The night run will start around 9:00. It will be fun. Be there!!!!!!!
Now my event is on Turkey Mountain and is far less than 100 miles. I also have 2 events--a day run that starts around 6:30 pm and is about 4.5 miles long and has 5 books. The course has remained the same for each of the first 4 years, and is on trails that most Turkey Mountain trail runners will recognize. It will be well marked, and few people have got lost on this run. Yes, there are some hills. No, you do not have to go up LipBuster.
But there IS a hill that is STEEPER than LipBuster! But you can do it!Then, after the sun goes down, the NIGHT RUN begins. The course for the night run is different every year. It is sparsely marked. Sometimes I provide some crudely drawn maps. The distance is usually 7-8 miles, and has 10-12 books. The course is as hard as I can make it, within reason. (insert maniacal laugh here)
In years past, there have been some rickety bridges to cross, ropes to assist scaling bluffs, makeshift wood ladders, water crossings, caves, underwater caves, and if you are lucky enough (or unlucky enough) time wormholes.
The above profile was from a couple of years ago--and for the past two years, I have heard murmurings that the course was too easy. HMMPH!! We'll see about that this year. I hope you like my maps!The day run is open to TATURs and friends of TATURs. The night run is also open to the same peeps, but it would be best you have done some night running before. And are not afraid of mountain lions. And snakes. And ticks. I also will want a hand written letter requesting entrance to the night event.
If you just cannot bring yourself to write a plea on a piece of notebook paper or on the back of a Subway napkin, then I at least would like some verbal groveling.Seriously, everyone who has done this race has had fun (except for that guy who got lost and was out there for a couple of days.) There is no charge for this event, although if you wanna toss a buck or two in a coffee can to offset some of the aid station food stuff, it would be appreciated.
One year, we ended up at IHOP after the night run was over. Kathy had mud on her legs and twigs in her hair. Another guy had a bloody leg. I smelled like I desperately needed a shower and some deodorant, and had a couple of ticks on my leg. Dana looked fine, not a hair out of place, but was crinkling up her nose at me. Brian walked in with his headlamp still on. Needless to say, they parked us way way in the back of the restaurant.
The fun starts Saturday night, June 26th. The day runners go off at 6:30, and almost all of the run is under the cover of the lush foliage of Turkey Mountain. The night run will start around 9:00. It will be fun. Be there!!!!!!!
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