Described as an event “only for the crazies,” an eight-hour endurance run will take place Saturday July 18 at the Monon Community Center in Carmel.
This doesn’t mean runners have to run eight hours straight. In fact, only a few select people in the world can really do that and organizer Todd Oliver, who is also founder of the Carmel Marathon, said he doesn’t expect it to be that kind of race.
Instead, runners will start at 2 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. with headlamps required at 8 p.m. They will use a 3.22 mile course on Central Park and whenever anyone needs to stop after a lap and take a break they can.
“Some people will stop for an hour and shower and jump in the pool,” Oliver said. “People will stop and eat and even take a nap. It’s however many laps you can finish between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.”
This is the first event of its kind in Central Indiana. Age group awards will be given along with a cash purse for the top three males and females. The event is limited to 250 individual runners and 100 teams, but isn’t sold out and people can still sign up the day of for the fee of $85. Must be 14 or older.
The event is officially called 8-Hour Dream and all participants receive an inaugural blanket.
Maximum team size is seven people and restricted for those 12 and under
Tents are allowed along the Monon if someone needs to rest, but only 10 by 10 in size and in certain areas.
Oliver said it’s a fun even that hopes to attract all types.
“Some people ask, ‘Can I just walk?’ and I’m like, ‘Sure, you might end up winning. The runners might burn out,’” he said.
Although some runners are pretty serious. Oliver received an e-mail that read: “As a veteran of 20 to 24 hour races, 70 ultra-marathons, and 256 marathons, including two Carmel Marathons …. I am impressed with all of the amenities…. showers, pool, beer!!! How about expanding it to a 12 hour or 24 hour ultra?”
“As you can see, these folks are a different breed of runner,”Oliver said.
For more information, visit http://www.8hourdream.com.
