Home -- Course Difficulty

A great way to explain the race is with some recent real emails.

From: Pam
To: pcarroll@fleetfeetsanantonio.com
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 11:58 AM
Subject: Race info

Hi Carroll,
Big Bend is one of my favorite places to visit, I try to go 2 to 3 times a year. I also just recently started running trails and ran my first trail marathon in June, Mickelson Trail run, so, the combination of a trail run and Big Bend is just too good to be true.

My question is, how difficult would you rate the 50k course. I know on road marathon’s they typically rate them. I ran four marathons the beginning of this year but then dropped of until September. I think I can make it, I will just be SLOW!

Anyway, thank you for hosting such an incredible event, any info would be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Pam

From: P. Carroll Voss
To: Pam
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 2:09 PM
Subject: Re: Race info

Pam
If you ran the Deadwood Mickelson marathon, this will seem easy. I ran the DM race in June 05, the altitude, and steady uphill first half, just about destroyed me. I did manage to finish. The BB50 race is not at altitude, starts at 3200' and drops to 1900', so it's a steady downhill race on the park dirt roads. The 50K course goes down Black Gap road, which many park visitors have not seen, then on to River Road, and back past the Mercury/Cinnabar mines to Glen Spring road.

It has a common start, and common finish line for both distances.

It's dry, cool, and the roads are easy to run. You will have Elephant Tusk, the Chisos, Mule Ears peaks, and the mines to look at all the way, it's easy to get your eyes off the road. you'll hear is the crunching, and your heart beating in this unique quietness.

You'll need to consider lodging. Most runners tent camp with us in RGV, where we have layed out campsites in B, C. Bathrooms are right in the campsite, and the hot showers, and convenient store for food, fuel, and supplies are walking distance. There is a prerace meal put on by the HAM radio operators, and a huge post race meal that's included in the entry fee. It's the most social, and fun. We will visit the hot springs to soak tired muscles Sunday night.

The Chisos Lodge might be full, if you want to stay indoors. 432 477-2291, or the Big Bend motor lodge in Study Butte/Terlingua nearly always has rooms.

Race packet will have a screened long sleeve technical shirt, hanteen, gloves, and James Evans poster.

We hope you can join us for one of the most unique experiences in trail running.

All the proceeds go to the Friends of BBNP www.bigbendfriends.org to improve the park in this time of underfunding for national parks.

Please let me know if I didn't answer your questions

Carroll Voss
BB50
store 210 805-0845

QUESTIONS?
Contact: P. Carroll Voss    (210) 805-0845    pcarroll@fleetfeetsanantonio.com