Buffalo Run - Ultramarathon

Some time in January of this year Adam heard about a 50 mile race, an ultra-marathon, that would take place on Antelope Island in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. Some times I question my son's thinking processes. This was one of those times. I love to be at the finish line for their races. So we made all the necessary arrangements to be there at the end of this race. The name of the race was The Buffalo Run. There were numerous races being ran simultaneously -- 100 mile (the winner of this one finished in 15 hours and 30 minutes), 50 mile, 30K, and 10 K. I might have those numbers incorrect. Adam's goal was to finish the 50 miles in 10 hours or under. This was the first "buffalo" we saw as we started toward the island.

For the last 17 miles of the race the runners could have a pacer run with them. Jarod ran about 8 miles with Adam and then Julie ran the last 9 with him.

I love to see the friendship and support my boys have for each other. Even though Rhett has vowed never to run another marathon (his first and last one being just 15 days after returning from his mission to Brazil), I am sure he would have been a pacer for Adam if he would have been closer.

When we got to the island and met up with Jarod he had an idea of where Adam and Julie would be so we parked on the hill and watched for them. If you can see the bright yellow shirt, that is Julie. Thanks, Julie, for wearing something that was easy to spot. On the hillside where they were going to run were several buffalo and the kids all wanted to see the animals and A&J were going to run pretty close to the animals. So Clark and Jarod and the kids headed down the hill. They intercepted the runners and talked with them for several minutes.

At the bottom of the hill Jamie, Megan, and I (with Kade) were waiting for them. We stopped them and I made them pose for a photo. This took several minutes.

This is the home stretch. Unlike the marathons I have cheered at, there were only 94 racers in the 50 mile event so it was easy to spot our team. Again, if you look for the bright yellow shirt just turning the corner you'll see our J&A.

As they got closer the kids ran to meet them. They were all very excited.

Adam saw us all, heard us cheering and got one last burst of speed to make the last 1/4 mile. He left Julie in the dust so she didn't try to catch up and cross the finish line with him, she joined us in waiting on our side of the line.

Even with the stops to pick up the pacers, chat with the kids and the buffalo, and pose for photos for Mom his finish time was 9 hours and 59 minutes. What a man!! He truly prepared for this race.

Total bummer. No medal for this race. A simple little coffee mug with a tiny logo on it. The 100 milers got a belt buckle.

We couldn't be prouder. Adam was leaning on Clark a little and Clark tried to move. Adam said, "Dad, would you hold still. You're holding me up right now." I am so happy we were there to hold him up and whatever else he needed.

Our 50 mile team. We love you!! Thanks for keeping your bodies healthy enough to do such things (even if we all thought he was a little crazy).