Strolling Jim™

I don't know why Markus (first reviewer) was upset with the Strolling Jim race and its volunteers and Director. The race went off, "as advertised" and without a hitch. Beautiful course with aid stations as advertised. The energy drink offered at 5 of the tables was called SWORD. It was the best energy drink I have ever had. Check out its website! Those stations also had food offerings as well. Not a 3 course meal, mind you Markus, but certainly sufficient to fuel an ultra runner...and the volunteers were awesome! Unmanned water jugs were numerous along the course and were sufficient for all of us. Were you looking for people to serve you throughout? The course was well marked with no chance of getting lost and there was support throughout the course. Markus-it's an ultra-have you ever run ultra events before. The Strolling Jim is what it's all about. If you are training properly, it's only a mental effort to finish this race. And runners only need about 100 calories per half hour in order to run effectively. I have run the Vermont 100 in 17:30, The JFK 50 in 7:40 and 10:10, the MaineTrack Club 50 in 6:10, and many, many other ultras throughout our country and I rate the Strolling Jim 40 as a "must do" race...one to put on your ultra running bucket list.

If someone refers to the Strolling Jim as a hilly course, BELIEVE them! It's got 4000 feet of elevation gain and loss. Train on hills-both up and down. Fast times are run on this course...so it can be done with proper training. I completed this course in 8:43 with only five 60 mile weeks, four 15 mile long runs and one 20 mile long run. I will be back next year, better trained and ready to run much faster.

This race has a 40 year long history and I was looking forward to it. There were unmanned water stations (jugs on the ground) and 6 aid stations along the way. Spread out but I thought that would be enough to run without anything. Aid station 7.5 was missing, just water jugs on the ground. 13.5 had some peanut pretzels, water and a weird electrolyte drink and some weird bars. 21.5 was nonexistent. I had to walk because I ran out of energy. An aid station came after 24.5 I think. 29.5 had luckily 2 bananas on the table, otherwise the table was blank. The lady pulled out some Gatorade and some beer from a cooler. This was supposed to be a full aid station but just a blank table with 2 bananas? Really? 35 was the same as 13.1, now manned by a fat guy bossing two kids around. They had nothing to eat so I moved on. Just before 39, a support car asked me if I needed something and I got a gel which was highly appreciated. This was by far the most pathetic aid stations I have seen in my life. And this was a fully organized event for $116 not a fat ass. I was highly disappointed, the race director just laughed at me at the finish when I told him the aid stations where not there. Obviously I would not recommend this race.

If you want to run there efficiently, you need to bring your own gels/food or a crew.

Perhaps the most pure, natural, still existing true to the roots of it's history ultramarathon that remains in the United States. I ran the Strolling Jim 40 Miler ultra for the first time in 2010 and return every year no matter how far or long of a journey it takes to return back. The race was created by Lazarus Lake, yes that one...creator of the infamous and near impossible Barkley Marathons, over 40 years ago. So you know you are not going to get some cookie cutter, overly marketed, catered, powder puff RNR-like event. Since Steve Durbin joined Laz to RD the event a few years ago they've added a marathon, half marathon, and 10K distances to the traditional 40 miler. It gives a sampling of the historic 40 miler to runners of all levels. It also gives an opportunity for spouses, friends, and family members something do while they wait on their loved ones to finish the 40 miler. Back in 2010 all we had was water jugs on the road every 5 miles...and you know what? It was perfect and main reason I fell in love with this race. The course record was set in 1989 (with jugs). Since then, Steve has softened the race by adding some true aid stations along the way with some simple foods, sports drink, etc in addition to the jugs every 5 miles and a couple drop bag spots for the ultra runners. The volunteers on the course and after the race cooking BBQ chicken, baked beans, and creating a family like celebration of every runner that finishes which makes it a perfect homecoming race for me, my Run It Fast® family, and so many that take part. If you are wanting a Rock n Roll/Foam Party/Color Run then this event isn't for you. If you want a throw-back in time to the true roots of our sport, and a chance to meet a living legend, Laz, and many other decorated runners from all over the globe then Strolling Jim will not disappoint.

Beautiful and amazing scenic course with rolling hills, challenging, but so pretty you think you are on trails but are on a smooth asphalt open road most of the way.