One of the things that I love about ultras is the sheer variety of race formats that are available to choose from apart from the different distances. If you want a single loop course, that’s an option. So are out-and-back routes, eight loops, 5k loops, fatass races with no entry fees, backyards with no fixed end point. Then you’ve also got all manner of timed events depending on how long you’d like to run walk. The vast majority of these races will take place on trails; either deep into the woods or occasionally in your neighborhood park. But if you’re looking for a completely different race format, let me introduce you to the journey run.
Vacation Without A Car*
At it’s most basic, a journey run is an unmarked race on open roads between two points. There are no aid stations so runners need to either rely on a crew to follow them along or plan out ahead of time where they resupply along the way. Laz Lake (aka Gary Cantrell) of Barkley Marathons and Big Dog’s Backyard fame has popularized this race format over the last couple decades with Last Annual Vol State and similar spinoffs. More of these races have started to pop up over the last couple years, however it still seems to be a mostly east coast US niche of this already niche sport.
I’ve done two of these races over the years and have thoroughly enjoyed the format. Both times I have gone with the uncrewed (or screwed) variant. This makes things even more challenging as all the shuns are on you during the race: hydration, nutrition, navigation, motivation. Any one of these can cause you to blow up and messing up two will likely cause you to DNF. There’s nothing quite like operating without a safety net.
The next race on my schedule (Coast to Coaster) will be my third such race and the longest distance I’ve covered in any format at 232 miles. Well, that’s the advertised distance anyway. Considering how my last self-supported effort went, I’m sure I’ll have some bonus miles before I reach Kings Island. I’m still three weeks out and am already stressing about what I’ve signed myself up for. I feel fully recovered from Rabid Racoon so I’m not too worried about my fitness. I’ve done a first pass on all my logistics (resupply options, gpx files reviewed, weather forecasts, etc.), however will want to go over everything a couple (dozen) more times before it’s time to head west for my next capital A adventure.
*IFKYK