Good Morning! If you hadn’t yet noticed, the calendar just flipped to a new month. For those of us with May, June, or July races … whelp, it’s getting real. August racers–you can procrastinate a bit longer.
As our summer of big goals heats up, Jared Beasley investigates those extra-ultra events: 6 or even 10-day races that have been a subculture of the sport for decades. And, as we look ahead to Mother’s Day, Emily Halnon offers a piece honoring her mom who taught Emily to run, and live, with courage and joy. I can’t promise your eyes will remain dry.
– Jenn Hughes
THE WEEKEND COOL DOWN
5 Day “Vacation” in the Desert
And they’re off! 243 intrepid runners will spend the better part of a week tackling heat and unforgiving desert terrain as the Cocodona 250 winds its way toward Flagstaff, AZ. ? Stay close to the action (from the cool comfort of your couch) via the livestream. ?: Howie Stern
When my good friend started running 6-day races around short loop courses, I’ll admit, I didn’t get it. At first glance it seemed, well, boring. But with time I began to appreciate the mental, spiritual, and community aspects of multi-days.
Jared Beasley digs into the possible tension between multi-days and trail ultras—exploring common perceptions, interviewing trail runners who are making a shift toward the niche, and leaving us with a humorous take on the dating life of a multi-day runner.
Running with a friend is special. Running with a parent, child, or sibling takes family bonding to the next level. For Emily Halnon, pouring run-love into her relationship with her mom became a gift of memories and inspiration that will last forever. Moments she now holds even more dear as her mother recently passed due to cancer.
As we pause to celebrate our mothers this weekend, Emily shares the universal lessons she learned from hers: run and live with relentless courage and joy, even and especially when life gets tough.
Jacky: Congrats to amputee runner Jacky Hunt-Broersma on completing 102 marathons in 102 days and raising over $48k for Amputee Blade Runners. But wait … she’s not done. Jacky decided to cushion her new world record by extending the streak to 104 in 104. Can’t stop, won’t stop!
Tommy: Not so long ago Tommy Rivs placed 16th at the famed Boston Marathon. This year he was one of the last finishers, run-walking with joy and gratitude simply to be alive. An inspiring update on Tommy’s journey of grace and grit.