headed to middletown, il on saturday for tonya and mike siltman's 6 hour beer run. this is a timed effort on a (roughly, although i think it's a tad short, whatever) 2 mile loop through their 40 acre farm. i was able to put up a good measured, well-executed effort despite increasing heat and lots of sun exposure. never really wavered pace-wise and stayed on top of hydration. this is still a small race, only 18 entered, but i have a feeling it will grow. the intimate setting means you're out there chatting with the other racers, enjoying the day. got to meet some new folks and chat a bit with rich breaux, an ultra veteran who was out getting some miles in. ended with 13 1/4 loops for a recorded 26.25 miles.
post-race at this even cannot be beat. you get a pint glass with the race logo, runners and RDs hanging around drinking mike's homebrew. and i mean really, really top notch homebrew. i only had time for the ipa, but there were five other beers kegged out. i would take this sort of grassroots race over the big glossy stuff any day, and i will be back next year. you should be there, too.
