Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam

Just a quick reminder that the 2010 Illinois Trail Ultra Grand Slam (iTUGS) is only half over--there are two fall races yet to go. If you ran the first two races (Clinton Lake in March & McNaughton Park in April), check out the current Grand Slam standings. Ellen and John have good leads for now, but anything can happen with two races to go!  Over the summer I often forget that the Grand Slam is still going.  Now that summer is ending and fall is almost here, it's time to refocus on the iTUGS races. Hope you consider running both of these ultras: Rock Cut Hobo 50K and Farmdale 30 or 50 miler. The 50 miler is new this year.

Rock Cut Hobo 50K will be run on Sunday, September 19 in Rockford, Illinois. In addition to the 50K on Sunday, there is a 25K on Saturday morning and a night-time 10K on Friday evening. If you do all three races, you get a special "triple crown" award (and tons of goodies). Pretty cool!  Here is a link to their calendar of races which has information and registration links to all three events.

After the Hobo run in September, we have the final Grand Slam race: Farmdale Trail 30 or 50 miler on Saturday, October 9 in East Peoria, Illinois.  There's also a 10 mile race, but it doesn't count toward the Slam. October is a great time to run in central Illinois and this race is a good one. Those participating in the iTUGS can grab your finisher award right at the end of the race (assuming you did all four). Similarly, the male and female champions of the Slam will be awarded at the end of the Farmdale trail race.

I've already retired as race director of the Clinton Lake ultra...I may retire as director of the iTUGS too...better finish this sucker while it still exists!