NEO24 Un-Race Report

Keen followers may recall that Dan is Done... With ultras, that is. That's still the case, but he did help his friend Larry Orwin organize a new event, NorthEast Ohio 24-Hour Run, aka NEO24. It was tons of fun and quite the event. Our team had been striving to make NEO24 much like NC24 (which hasn't been run since 2019), albeit at a different venue. I think we succeeded. I didn't compete; I only helped and watched. That's why this is an un-run, un-race report.

Friday: I arrive at Brunswick Lake Park early, set up the 'Dumpster here' sign, rent the truck, and proceed to meet RD Larry in Akron. Akron is the home of the Running Forward / Giving Back storage area. This organization puts on ultramarathon races for charitable causes and maintains some equipment for any/all. As part of RFGB, NEO24 will donate its proceeds directly to Roy Heger's charity, Run to Share. Joe Vasil helps us load the truck with all sorts of stuff we'll need. We proceed to Larry and Chris' home in Chagrin Falls, in order to load even more stuff. Our final stop is Giant Eagle in Brunswick, where we load over 200 heavy gallons of drinking water. After setting up a few tents and stuff, it's off to dinner at Bianca's, where 20+ of us listen as Pete Kostelnick tells some great stories.

The start

Saturday: After my shortened run, I arrive at Brunswick Lake Park early, although not quite early enough. Larry informs me that the truck has already been unloaded. This, at 6:00 AM! We continue setting up until the race starts at 8:00. That start is exciting, as are the early hours of the race. It's wonderful to see all of my new and old friends. Some I haven't seen in a half-decade or so. And they're all doing great. Until they aren't. It gets hot fast, and that eventually takes its awful toll on just about everyone. We volunteers try hard to keep everyone hydrated. We volunteers, by the way, are also working hard and sweating nearly as much as the runners. But there's love and appreciation all around.

Volunteers and organizers

It seems to get hotter as the day progresses. Until it doesn't. Finally, the sun begins to set, and the evening air begins to cool off. What a relief. More friends, old and new, are coming and going. It's fun. This 'magic time' of the day should be enjoyable, and it undoubtedly is for most everyone. Except me. I'm dead tired, so I head home a bit earlier than planned, for an evening nap.

Sunday: I had hoped to sleep until about 2:45 AM, but instead, I awake about an hour and a half earlier. Unable to sleep any more, I slowly get myself together for the long 2.5-mile drive back over to Brunswick Lake. By now, it's close to 3:00 AM, and the cool nighttime air feels great. I find my friend Chadwick Sunday, and run some of the 1-mile loops with him. He's always a pleasure to be with, but especially so right now. I encourage him as best I can, telling him how much confidence I have that he will make it. Make it to 100 miles, that is. Five miles, plus a couple more here and there, are about all I can manage. That's okay; I didn't expect this to be a great running day, at least for myself. Everyone else, however, is doing great! And that's so good to see! As the hours wear on and dawn approaches, many of the competitors are reaching their mileage goals. Lary announces those who achieve 100 miles, and eventually, Chadwick, Pete, and another old friend, John Hnat are among them. It's about as inspiring as it can get.

PS: Cleanup is always a chore when everyone is so darn tired. Today was no different. It was also tough to drive the loaded-up truck back to Akron for the unloading (with Larry and Chris), before returning it to Brunswick. But it was all good. And, as I say, very inspiring.