Running With Jack

On Saturday I will be running my second 50-mile (80KM) race in Karlsruhe-Ruppur, Germany. The 29th annual Fidelitas Nachtlauf (Night Run) is one of the oldest ultras in Germany. The race can be run individually or as part of a 4-member relay team. Last year I believe there were 700 participants, including around 200 individual runners - the race last year was my inaugural 50-miler.

The course winds its way through the Northern Black Forest region, is made up of 60% asphalt/40% gravel & forest trails, with 16 aid/control points along the way. Participants are required to pass each control point within a specified cutoff time, but the cutoff is pretty liberal, most could almost powerwalk the course. The time limit for the race is 16 hours, the course record being 5 hours 23 minutes. The race begins at 5 p.m. and for most runners this means part of the race will be run through the night (thus the name of the race).

For me this is a local race, the start being a 30-minute drive from my house. I run part of the course when I do my long runs.

Last year it was a hot 33C/92F and sunny at the beginning of the race, this year it looks like it will be in the mid-70's (F) and rainy. In any case my tapering over the last 1-1/2 weeks has left me filled with energy and ready to get started on my next 50-mile journey!