Javelina Jundred CHUG Fest

Last year after I DNF'ed at Mohican 100 Mile, I wanted to redeem myself by attempting another 100 miler, so I decided to try again at the Javelina Jundred 100 Miler in Fountain Hills, AZ but I got injured a couple weeks before race day at the Chicago Lakefront 50 Mile, so Kelly and I just went out to volunteer instead. We had a blast helping out with the race even though I would have much rather run it. Many runners wore costumes, many did not, it wasn't a requirement, but many had fun with it. Well, this year, I'm returning, but not alone.

Along with my pacer/crew extraordinaire, Kelly Roe, we have some additional fellow Chicago Ultrarunners also joining in on the fun, which I'm very excited about. There's nothing like running in a race with other people you know and considering this race is out of state, it's easy to get lonely out on the course. I look forward to the support we'll all provide for one another as we take on this desert journey. So, let's meet the players.

Me - I'm going for my first 100 mile completion and I'm intending on wearing my Captain Six-Pack costume, but of course, if it gets too hot or bothersome, I will change out of it.

Kelly Roe - What can I say, the best crew/pacer I can imagine having. She's got my back and does a wonderful job making sure that I have everything I need. She is intending on wearing her Refreshinator costume, which matches my costume.

Geof Dunmore - This guy is all smiles, all the time, it's infectious and he's a super nice guy and very humble and supportive person. Did I mention that he's pretty fast too. He did great at KM100 just last month for his first 100 miler. I think he'll do very well at JJ100 this year.

Paige Troelstrup - Or as we like to call her, Crash. She has such a fun persona who enjoys laughing...a lot and of course, she's a hoot to hang around with. As I write this, she is probably hittin' the sack to get rest for her first 100 miler tomorrow at the Vermont 100. Oh yeah, and her bf is Geof and she will be crewing and pacing him at JJ100 (as he is doing at VT100 with her this weekend -- Good luck Crash!).

David Hill - Or who may be better known as the Chicago Dog Runner. That's right, he makes a living running with peoples dogs. How great is that? He's running this event as his first 100 miler to raise money for a local rescue shelter.

Jim O'Brien - Or as we like to call Atacama Jim. This guy was the only 100 mile finisher of our Beer Run 100 Mile Fat Ass event last month, which btw, was his first 100 miler and he finished it in 23:51 with an approximate 10 minute breaks at each of the 20 crew stops along the way. He's a stand up guy who likes to know how other people are doing at mile 95. A real class act. I'm REAL curious to see how Jim fairs at this event as his first "official" 100 miler.

Jerret Halter - Another 100 mile virgin who runs on nothing but the bike paths of the Chicago Lakefront has decided to join in on the Jalloween craziness. With only a single 50 mile race under his belt, Jerret decided it was time to raise the bar and go all out. This will be a true test of his, as all of ours, abilities.

There you have it, the JJ100 CHUG team as it sits right now. Anyone else want to go?