Spent most of last week supporting the Dragon's Back Race and a privilege it was to. I had 3 great runs out, learned that the Black Mountain and the Black Mountains are different, got 1st hand experience that organizing an event of that scale is as much of an effort as running in it and meet some really great new people, both competitors and supporters.
Being involved in this race in any way resets your baseline of what HARD really means and I don't think I still really get what this race involved. Many of the competitors I spoke to said they thought it was the hardest race out there. Around 3/4 of the starters did not finish the whole thing. That should not detract from the achievements of those who did part days in any way, but gives some idea of just how bloody hard it was.
I would never be able to do it, I am not physically or mentally wired in such a way as to be able to do the full event over the 5 days.
I have only admiration for Shane, the race director, lets hope he runs it again before an other 20 years have elapsed. This event more than any I have run in or helped at shows that sport(elite or not) is not just about the Olympics and medals.
It has wetted my appetite to run a Mountain Marathon (2 day type thing) next year. Just need to find a partner of similar running outlook and ability.
Being involved in this race in any way resets your baseline of what HARD really means and I don't think I still really get what this race involved. Many of the competitors I spoke to said they thought it was the hardest race out there. Around 3/4 of the starters did not finish the whole thing. That should not detract from the achievements of those who did part days in any way, but gives some idea of just how bloody hard it was.
I would never be able to do it, I am not physically or mentally wired in such a way as to be able to do the full event over the 5 days.
I have only admiration for Shane, the race director, lets hope he runs it again before an other 20 years have elapsed. This event more than any I have run in or helped at shows that sport(elite or not) is not just about the Olympics and medals.
It has wetted my appetite to run a Mountain Marathon (2 day type thing) next year. Just need to find a partner of similar running outlook and ability.
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