Norris Dam Hard 50k 2013

Chances are, if you don't get lost or injured, you will do pretty well at this race. Between the 25k and 50k races there were around 75 participants, more than a handful took a detour, a very small number ate dirt and needed stitches in unmentionable places. I managed to stay upright and avoid getting lost, so I ended up winning in a time of 5hr1min. Not a screaming fast race by any measure, but the course is unrelenting if nothing else.

For those considering running this race I would recommend it, if you're prepared to walk and have the race take a little longer than you expect. With the exception of one section ( photo below the course map) the course is steep and rocky in places but not unsafe. It is well marked and most folks that got lost I think did so because there were course changes this year, not because of lack of flagging. For the number of participants I did seem to here an inordinate amount of carnage stories, but other than the pictured section above I don't know exactly what to attribute that to. Overall, this is a challenging low-key ultra with very enthusiastic volunteers who help make the atmosphere of the race very fun.