Living History Farms XC Race November 22, 2008
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Be a part of the "Largest Cross-Country Race in North America".
You will be challenged by the world's richest farm land as you wade through creeks, avoid farm animals and claw your way to the top of gullies with over 7,500 (limit) other runners of questionable senses. It's a great way to end the racing season and experience running stories to relive throughout the winter.
Stay for the "outdoors in November" post race refreshments, door prizes and awards ceremony.
The 30th Living History Farms race celebrates your running with NEW! chip timing, NEW! finisher medallion, NEW! youth runs, NEW! VIP Packet pick-up and other surprises.
Official Website: http://www.fitnesssports.com/November_races/LivHistFarms/lhf_index.html#print
Added by jimwlamb on October 16, 2008
Comments
army_angel25
The Living History Farms Cross-Country 7 miler boasts to be the largest cross-country race in the nation. There were 7,500 applicants this year - the largest group of runners to participate since its inception, and it felt like it as you waded through acres of parked cars to reach the start line.
The weather that day was the coldest its been in about seven months, at a freezing 26 degrees, and individuals (both the smart dressers and not so smart dressers) huddled behind anything that could shelter them from the bone chilling wind - waiting for the race to start.
Once the race began, runners swaggered through an eighth of a mile before things thinned out enough to get a decent running pace and you were constantly getting stuck at choke points that made the running chip seem a bit like a piece of jewelry rather than an accurate reflection of your time. Running across uneven farm lands, around frozen lakes (seriously solid frozen - one crazy runner decided to dance across and it held his weight), over bails of hay, past horses and barns was more than I was prepared for.
The outlandish costumes I had heard about did not disappoint. The man with the loin cloth, bare feet and bow did run the race just like that - barefoot. Men in diapers and plain underwear could be seen throughout the race and I wonder if they will ever function normally (or have children) after such a bold move.
BUT... nothing would compare to the creeks. Reading the route on the website, they claimed eight creek crossings during the race, and my mind (still numb) can only really recall the five worst. The first came around the third mile and I gingerly made my way over to the rocky area - I was not ready to wade through the freezing cold water quite yet, but I watched... along with others as individuals crossed at the main crossing in knee deep water. Just before they reached the end to grab the rope and pull themselves out, a huge sink hole ensured a good 75% went down at least waist level before they were able to escape the freezing cold water.
No matter which route you took for many of these creek crossings, you had to slide in and lay on the muddy sides to pull yourself out, and everyone looked as if they had wallowed in mud by the time we were done.
By the 4th and 5th creek there were no options but to wade through the knee and waist deep water, and turn around to help pull the poor soul behind you out as you all tried to maintain some semblance of a pace. At times I was at a full-on sprint to try and make up time for places that had to be walked in order to keep from twisting an ankle.
When we finally made it to the finish line, I was never more grateful for a Krispy Kreme in my life (along with water - they didn't have water points along this route). My official time was 1hr 36 min, and I'm actually pretty pleased with it given all the obstacles...
The irony? Given all of those challenges, and the snow flurries that wished us farewell as we climbed into our cars to crank up our heaters - I can't wait to try it one more time just so I feel like I have conquered this bizarre course. :) Crazy!!!