• When: 09/11/2015 - 09/12/2015
  • QIC: Freeloader
  • The PAX: Studs


2015 Blue Ridge Relay—We Own the Gloom

The Thang:  September 11 and September 12….from Whitetop, Va to Asheville,NC….208 210 mile relay run completed by teams of 6-12 pax, each running 1 of 36 legs in sequential order.

NM:  54 Teams consisting of almost 500 Pax completed this event which is the pure definition of CSAUP.

As with all things F3, there is always a title for the fastest team.  This year, that title belongs to Team Lean from Charlotte-Metro.  Team Lean also set the fastest time ever for an F3 team.  In second place, was a six man team, Team S6X, also from Charlotte-Metro.  Team S6X also placed 3rd overall in the Ultra Category. 3rd place was Team Paperboy.  Nice job to all.  BRR 2015 Race Results

While there were many fast times, what is more impressive to YHC was the shear volume of teams and the variation in geography.  In addition to Charlotte, there was representation from Winston-Salem, Fort Mill, Huntersville, Harrisburg, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Hickory, Lake Murray, Wilmington, Greensboro, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, Greenville, SC.  Special shout out to some of our newest regions, Richmond-VA & Summerville, SC.  Great to have you!   Word on the street is that Richmond will have 2 teams next year.    Cobains if I missed your region.

This is an event that because of all the 2F during and the excitement leading up to it, it’s easy to forget how hard this is.  Very few things can prepare one for sitting in a van and having to run for your 3rd time in less than a day up some mountain at 3AM.  It hurts, your legs rebel, your lungs burn, and  there appears to be an abundance of wild dogs lurking about when the sun goes down.  Yet, somehow, we all end up doing well.  We like to say that this race really doesn’t start until the sun goes down.  Makes sense that F3 does so well since we are usually done with our workouts before the sun even goes up.  There is also something about being accountable to the other members of your team.  In F3, we look to carry and not be carried.  Big effort all the time.  WE OWN THE GLOOM.

Congratulations to each and everyone of you that had the courage to sign up and complete this.  This may be the hardest thing you do all year.  For those of you that haven’t tried this yet, the bar has been set.

Here are some quick notes from the event.

  • How about Coach Roy taking the time from his schedule to support his son by driving his van?  Impressive.  It was also entertaining when people recognized who he was and then lined up for team photos.  I’m not a Carolina fan, but I’m a fan of his.  Seeing Coach in a S6X Pistols shirt is one of my favorite takeways.
  • The level of preparation for this event was outstanding.  Speaking only of Metro on this, I’ve noticed how much faster guys have gotten.  I’ve also noticed how many guys proclaim that they are “non-runners” and then proceed to crush their races.  Very inspiring to see men getting better.  #ISI
  • Ultra Teams…..hats off to all of you that do this.
  • Positive attitude….loved being around this race.  F3 guys from all over and everyone appeared to be having fun.
  • BRR 2016 registration is December 1st.  This year, the race was expanded to 180 teams from 160….they still turned away 20 teams….where will F3 be next year.?…can we get teams from Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, Myrtle Beach, Jacksonville, or how about Asheville??

Thank you to Mud Gear for making the event gear so available and high quality.

Thank you to The Show-  He was last year’s Q and made it simple for me to take over.

Thank you to all the Region Q’s  and Team Captains.  You made my role very easy.  It was my honor to Q.

Announcements:

If you have team pictures, please email OBT and he will give you access to upload to DropBox.  He is working on something cool.

There were several good ideas regarding the ending of the race.  I would expect to see something more organized next year at the finish.

Race On!

FL

 

0 thoughts on “2015 Blue Ridge Relay—We Own the Gloom”

  1. Freeloader, thanks for Q’ing this. Also, way to smoke your legs as part of Team Lean.

    As a “non-runner”, this was by far the most fun I’ve ever had running. The time between the legs was great 2-F time, but running the legs was fun too. It’s great to be challenged and every one of the legs are challenging. For me, leg 20 was a beast in the middle of the night. In spite of that though, it was a “fun” to push yourself to run faster than you think you can run (especially on dumb, steep hills) and not disappoint the other 11 guys on your team.

    For those who have not done it or for the other “non-runners”, I encourage you guys you to do this next year. You won’t regret it!

    Looking forward to next year!

  2. As a veteran van driver now with 3 BRR’s behind me this is a must do event. The 2nd F opportunities are endless. For 36 hours I was totally immersed in all things F3. Watching these men (and women) push themselves for their teams was awe inspiring. If for some reason you are unable to run consider the driver role. You won’t be sorry. And maybe you too can hang with Roy?

  3. @Freeloader – are you looking for team pictures from all regions or just metro? If the former, can you share contact info for where to send the pics?

  4. Great event last week. My second #BRR, and I loved seeing all the F3 teams out there.

    I have to give a shout-out to many Pax who came to my aid. I busted in the mud at the end of leg 28 and ended up visiting the ER in Spruce Pine for a few stitches, some glue, a CT scan, and left with a concussion diagnosis. Thank you to my brothers on F3 Goat Rodeo (RDU – Minnie and Hatfield), along with others from throughout F3 Nation – including Catheter (Lexington) and Doogie (CLT) who were on the scene and helped.

    I missed out on watching the Mountain Goat legs, and half my team was with me instead of at the finish line in Asheville. We will be back next year for redemption. As for me, I will be easing back into running this week, and should post to F3 again soon. I am overwhelmed by the support I received then and continue to receive from F3. Thanks!

  5. Forgot to take the time to *congratulate team **lean for running a *clean race with *all their runners completing the *35 legs. Job well done. #fireworks

  6. Is there an official F3 record book for the BRR? YHC is willing to start one up for Team results (6, 9, 12, Masters, etc.) and Individual legs. Would need Captain participation to send in any individual leg results.*

    *leg must have been run with F3 team. Sorry Material Girl and Graffiti.

  7. There are official results at the site. I believe it lists the number of competitors as well. I’ll forward if I can find it

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