The Hellgate 100km. The race where David Horton talks 140 people at the end of a long year of racing into lacing their shoes back up and setting off into the Blue Ridge mountains at 12:01am in the middle of December.

I must admit though, there is something about this race. It took me 11 years after my first ultra to run it for the first time and another 3 to come back. But it is growing on me, and I have a feeling I’ll be back again next year if Horton lets me. Maybe it is the small community and the Cheers vibe where everybody knows your name. Maybe it is the love that Horton and the volunteers put into this race. Maybe I’ve lost too many brain cells from running so many ultras. Whatever it is, Hellgate truly is one of a kind.

Read More