This weekend has athletes from Nike Fleet Feet Racing Team running every distance from 5km to 10km to marathon to ultramarathon to multi-day ultra marathon, showing the diversity of talent with the team.
On Saturday, Rob Youngren and Eric Charette will start their attempt to set the Fastest Known Time on the 335 mile Pinhoti Trail. Youngren and Charette have created a website to track the progress of the effort which can be found at http://pinhotitrailadventurerun.blogspot.com/ They plan on averaging 50-60 miles per day which if everything goes according to plan, would put them on the northern terminus on the 7th day of running. Full details of the run can be found here.
The team will be supported daily by crew chief Josh Kennedy and will be joined by team mates Joey Butler, Eric Fritz, Blake Thompson, Dink Taylor and Kathy Youngren serving as auxillary crew or pacers.
(From the Strolling Jim 40M website): For 32 years, the first Saturday in May has meant one thing in the scenic hills of Bedford County, Tennessee; the return of the Ultra-Marathoners. And the Ultra-Marathoners have kept coming back. Coming back to stroll the quiet streets of Wartrace and Bell Buckle, enjoying the picturesque homes and quaint shops. Coming back to celebrate the end of winter with a run in the inspiring springtime beauty of the Highland Rim. Coming back to be a part of one of the US most competitive road ultras, and to match their times against the fastest runners of the past 32 years. Coming back to strive for a coveted Gold Shirt. Coming back to feast on the bountiful repast at both pre- and post- run festivities. But, most of all, the Ultra-Marathoners keep coming back because, at the Strolling Jim (40 miler), every runner is a hero, an honored guest, and a welcomed friend.
Competing from the team are Joey Butler, Eric Fritz, Dink Taylor, Tim Vinson, DeWayne Satterfield and Kathy Youngren.
In Ohio, Lisa Rawlings and David Rawlings will be running the Flying Pig Marathon. This great 26.2 miler looks to be soggy as weather forecasts call for 70% chance of rain all weekend. David is a mere 42 seconds away from a Boston Qualifying time, so wish him luck.
In Madison, Joe Francica will be running the Run Through the Roses 10km. This 1st Annual event starts at Bob Jones High School and rolls over the gentle hills of Madison. Joining Joe is fellow team mate Katie Maehlmann. Katie has been training in the early morning hours with a group of gals from Madison known as the "Crazy Girls" who are all running the race.
In Huntsville, Christy Scott and Linda Scavarda will be joining the Fleet Feet Cupcakes running the relay for life at John Hunt Park. This all night event looks to have some fun games and all night entertainment.
Shane O'Neill will seek out a gavel (award) at the Law Day 5km. This course is flat and fast and hosted by the Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association.
In Decatur, Jon Elmore and Eric Schotz will be looking for the win at the Steeple Chase 8km. This new event runs past many of the historic churches in town, thus the label 'steeplechase'.
Whitney Hollingsworth will be heading west to Corinth, Mississippi where she will be running the 29th Annual Coca-Cola Classic 10km.