The May Madness 50k

General Philosophy: The May Madness 50K run is meant for a little twisted fun. That's not to say it's not serious. Where else do you get to run 10 consecutive 5Ks, add your times and possibly come out with your fastest 50K ever? Or your toughest. It will be an interesting mix of speed, endurance, patience, and smarts. Parts of it will be fun. Parts of it will be difficult. All of it will be a little insane.

Why should you come? You get to hang out with your running friends. You run only short 5Ks and take long breaks in between. And hang out with your running friends. Where else can you run an ultra all day and spend so much time sitting in your chair? The breaks do not count so you could get a new 50K PR.

Location is near Hoffman, North Carolina. I will send all entrants directions a couple days before the race.

Free camping Friday night. Come after 4 p.m. Both tents and campers welcome but no hook ups.

No dogs.

The course will be wheel-measured and approximately 5K. All natural. Sand, dirt, leaves, pine straw and such with no man-made coverings. Possible occasional horse droppings. Minimum shade. There is no water on the course. Feel free to take your bottle.

The aid station will have water, Gatorade, some snack food and some first aid supplies. This is an all-day event. My snack food will not get you a finish. You should bring plenty of your favorite foods. That should include something for your dinner. There are no restaurants close by. Bring enough. It's a long day and you will get hungry. I suggest a cooler with your personal aid station in whatever shade you can find. And bring plenty of ice for yourself.

Please know your limits. I cannot stress enough how much heat and humidity will be an issue. There is little shade on the course or at the start/finish area. Bring a chair and a pop up shelter to rest under between laps. Bring ice and use it to cool yourself between 5Ks. Drink something with electrolytes or do tablets. Bring bug repellent and sunscreen. A couple of beach towels might come in handy.

This event consists of 10 consecutive 5Ks. The first 5K will begin at 7:00 a.m. Subsequent 5Ks will begin at the top of each hour with the final tenth 5K starting at 4:00 p.m. There will be no early starts or late starts at any time. You must start with the group each hour or be out of the race. All ten 5Ks must be finished to be considered a May Madness 50K finisher.

All entrants who register by May 18 and come race day will get a shirt at packet pickup. Those registering after May 18 will be mailed a shirt. The back of the shirt will be printed with "May Madness" ten times--once for each 5K. First place overall male and first place overall female will receive pottery awards created by Irene Russell. Irene is a Mangum Track Club member and May Madness finisher. No other finisher awards.

Information about this event can and may be changed. Re-read occasionally to stay abreast.

Trash containers will be in the start/finish area. No littering anywhere. Empty gel packets are litter. Littering can get you DQ'ed. If you use the bathroom in the woods or anywhere on the course use Leave No Trace guidelines.

Even a cool day will be hot. To finish this event, you will have to be smart and manage heat well.

Bring insect repellent!!!!, sunscreen!!!!, a chair, and a pop up for shade.

I reserve the right to either delay or cancel a lap if necessary to avoid dangerous lightning or other conditions.

The event director (me or my designee) can stop, pause, or disqualify anyone at any time for any reason we feel called to do so.

Again, no dogs.

Registration is limited and will close at the race director's discretion. There will be no wait list, no refunds, no deferrals, and no transfer of your entry to someone else if you decide to not come.

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