By Sharon Logue, March, 2002
Until I started running with DCRRC I thought that the marathon was a ridiculous distance to run! Now, two and a half years later, I am about to run my fourth marathon in Boston. Though I have conquered the 26.2 mile challenge, I still consider that to be about as far as I’d ever like to go, and most other runners I know agree with me! On March 10 I was introduced to a whole other world of runners, those who challenge themselves primarily by seeing just how far and how long they can go. Ultra-running refers to events of any distance beyond the marathon, from 50K to 100 milers to even longer events. Our own SLRGuy (John Coogan) organized and ran the second annual “SLR Fairfax CCT Fatass 40 Miler” on March 10 along with 38 other runners. There were 24 finishers, including DCRRC members Max Reid, Rob Morton, Will Waller, and Tim Good. In the inaugural running of the event, there were only 3 finishers and 15 participants. This year’s event was quite a site to see. I ran the first 21.2 miles with John, and got quite a good taste for what ultra-running is all about. Unlike road racing, there isn’t much “racing” going on in an Ultra. There were several ‘aid-stations’ throughout the run, which followed the entire length of the recently created Cross County Trail, from Springfield to Great Falls, VA. These aid-stations were much more than tables with small cups of water or Gatorade that you grab as you go. Rather, they were well stocked with snacks, sandwiches, pretzels, chocolates, jelly beans, coke, and of course, water. Runners stop, snack, stretch, possibly change shoes, use the restroom, and socialize with one another, before going on. The course was difficult to navigate, John had set up a web-site with VERY detailed directions that many runners carried with them. There were obscure turns into the woods where the “trail” was little more than a sort-of space between the trees. There were rocky pilings under highway bridges to navigate, many creeks and rivers to cross, and plenty of mud! In an ultra, it’s both common and necessary to walk some parts. Some people follow some sort of time ratio of walking and running, others walk all the hills, and some just walk when it feels right. It is more of an all day, epic, running/walking/hiking social adventure than what I typically think of as a race. The event ended in Great Falls Park, where runners and friends gathered for pizza and shared stories of their adventures. The winner was Seth Mosier, who finished in 6:50. Will Waller was 2nd, finishing in 6:52. John Coogan was 6th, finishing in 7:17. Rob Morten came in 8:15 and shortly after came Max Reid (8:15:30) and Tim Good (8:16:50). All in all it was a great day and a great event and I look forward to it’s return next spring! You can read more about the event and the Cross County Trail at http://home.cox.rr.com/jcoogan/cct. Maybe you’ll be inspired to go even farther than the marathon someday!