Archive for July, 2020

120 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 14, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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Halfway into the 10 days until the race is over, Westbrook is past Culleoka at mile 196. He was able to get some much needed sleep at the Nutt house which dropped him to 29th position in the screwed category. As Kim Nutt commented on the LAVS facebook page, “Thank goodness he got some rest! I told him I was going to tape him to the chair if he didn’t get some sleep.” I am so glad he did. Maybe he will be somewhat recharged to battle through the remaining 118 miles to the finish.

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RICHARD WESTBROOK PASSED OUT AT THE NUTT HOUSE, LAVS 2020. (PHOTO COURTESY OF JAN WALKER).

108 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 14, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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RICHARD WESTBROOK WITH DARREN DYKES, BENCH OF DESPAIR, LAVS 2020 (PHOT0 COURTESY OF DARREN DYKES).

After 4.5 days into the race, Westbrook has made it to The Bench of Despair at mile 186. He is 24th in a group of 42 unsupported runners. 128 miles to the finish at Castle Rock, Ga. Thus far, RW has averaged 41.3 miles a day. He only has to average 23.27 miles to finish in the allotted time frame. So far, so good!

96 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 13, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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RICHARD WESTBROOK, PAST HAMPSHIRE, AT 170 MILES IN LAVS 2020.

In a division of 53 screwed runners, Westbrook is currently 23rd place. He is past Hampshire at 170 miles. One more runner has dropped out, totaling 15 all together. Two competitors have finished the race, although they were both crewed runners. We tend to only look at the others in the same unsupported group as RW. The runner in third place, however, is a screwed runner.

We still have 51 crazy runners on the road out there trying to make it to Castle Rock in extremes of flooding rains and “hotter than anyone wants to be in, even when not running” heat index. I am sure the steam is rising off the road. More updates to follow so stay tuned and wish them all the best.

84 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 12, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Uncategorized
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RICHARD WESTBROOK, SOMEWHERE AROUND GLEASON. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KIM MONTGOMERY).

A total of 14 runner’s have quit the race, leaving a remainder of 52 on the road. Currently, Westbrook is over halfway at 160 miles. After 84 hours into the race, he has moved into 14th place in the screwed category.

One night he was having trouble finding anything open for food, all he had was a Snickers bar and a drink. The following day around noon he got a chance to eat at Burger King. RW and a group came upon a familiar campground where, in the past years, the owner welcomed them to relax and get fed. This year, a new owner is running the campground and would not let the runner’s on the property even to buy a drink out of the machine. What an arse!!!

Tonight, he is on the search for sustenance once again. Hopefully, he finds something open or a well timed Road Angel along the way. He definitely needs the fuel to keep on through the next half of the race.

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RICHARD WESTBROOK AND KAREN JACKSON, TURNING IN TO TAKE A BREAK. (PHOTO COURTESY OF PAM PRATT).

72 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 12, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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STORE ALONG THE ROUTE, NOT OPEN, AND REFRESHMENTS SET OUT FOR THE RUNNERS. (PHOTO COURTESY OF MELINDA GUETTNER).

According to Melinda Guettner, in reference to the photo above, “***UPDATE 7/12, 7:30 a.m. – Due to heavy rains and strong winds this morning we have moved the drinks and snacks to the front porch of the store. We have received 3 inches of rain and have lots of flooding. Please be careful! ”

The 72 hour update has Richard past Linden at 139 miles. He maintains his same place among the other competitors. Let’s all hope the weather doesn’t get the best of anyone out there on the road. I am sure it is a struggle!

60 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 12, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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After 2 1/2 days into the race, at 60 hours, Westbrook has put 121 miles behind him and is past the Tennessee River. Within his screwed division he is in 20th out of 53 total unsupported runners. As for now, no one has dropped out. Let’s see if everyone makes it to the finish at Castle Rock.

SIGN AT PARKER’S CROSSROADS TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE EXTREME HEAT. (PHOTO COURTESY OF JAN WALKER)

48 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 11, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Uncategorized
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Just past Darden, 26th place overall, at 103 miles, RW is 21st in the screwed division. He is the second to oldest competitor in the race. There is an 82 year old man from Arizona, a 71 year old man from Florida, and a 68 year old man from Tennessee. The rest of the folks are 65 and younger, predominantly 40’s with some 50’s sprinkled in there.

RICHARD WESTBROOK AT 103 MILES, PAST DARDEN, 48 HOUR UPDATE

36 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 11, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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RW IN HUNTINGDON. (PHOTO COURTESY OF JAN WALKER).

After a day and a half into the race, Richard Westbrook has reached 80 miles and is around Parker’s Crossroads. He currently holds 24th place overall. The divisions of crewed (running with aid) and screwed (running solo, with no aid) have been added to the tracking board. Westbrook is, as he always has run this race, in the screwed division. He takes no support from anyone except caring people on the side of the road or places he can stop and purchase a drink or snack, or enjoy some much sought after air conditioning. Hang in there, old man! At 73 years of age, what a thing to be doing in the summer time.

24 HOUR UPDATE

Posted: July 10, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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RICHARD WESTBROOK, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN MCKENZIE AND HUNTINGDON. (PHOTO COURTESY OF RON BENNETT).

 

After 24 hours into the race, Westbrook has moved on up into 25th place overall with a total of 60 miles, past McKenzie. He called his wife, Jan, yesterday and according to their brief conversation, “It was 108 degrees yesterday. A lot of the usual food places he was counting on were closed so he’s having to hunt food. I just talked to him and he sounded good.”

After being a long time veteran of this race one becomes familiar with the restaurants and sleep areas available along the route. People living in the areas have learned all about the race and support the runners by having tents and coolers near the roadside for refreshments and shade, or simple rest areas. These are wonderful things to count on because as an unsupported competitor, all you have is what you carry in the small pack on your back. Food is not one of these items, trying to minimize as much as possible to reduce weight.

With Covid-19 this year we were not even sure if the race was happening. Runners hope to come upon a restaurant or store during it’s hours of operation. Unfortunately, with the virus, many may not be open at all this year. The “Road Angels” who normally set up their tents may not be as populated either with their own viral concerns.

More updates to follow. Let’s see how these crazy runners fair in this insane heat and limited circumstances for support. Keep them all in your prayers and best wishes!

AND THE RACE GOES ON…

Posted: July 10, 2020 by smrtnsasy in Race Reports
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AT THE START OF LAVS 2020 (PHOTO COURTESY OF SANDRA CANTRELL)

 

314 MILE (500K) RACE ROUTE

The Last Annual Vol State road race began July 8, 7:30 am. There are 66 runners competing this year. Divided by gender, 17 are female and 49 male. Runners are required to check in every 12 hours, 7:30 pm and again at 7:30 am, daily. For the initial 12 hour check in, at 7:30 pm, Westbrook has run 30 miles and is in 41st place right along with 4 other runners. These 5 runners are around the motel in Martin area.

I am sure it all began as a blistering hot July day. Follow up to see how these 5 fall into different places as the time and race goes on.

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