The Tar Heel 10 Miler is a special race. It’s local. It’s well-organized and very spectator-friendly. The guys who started it and operate it have become F3 guys along the way. It’s a mass of 7,000 runners pushing themselves and who knows how many spectators (?!) cheering them on. It’s a challenging 10 miles that travels through a beautiful course hitting many of the highlights in Chapel Hill. In short, it’s hard to beat the TH10Miler experience.
That is, unless you’re lucky enough to become engaged with SFN and guys like Tolkien, Exit 54, Borland and Red October. Then – and only then – can the already-amazing TH10 experience become an even better one.
Race morning greeted us with a crisp reminder that 38 degrees is still very possible in late April. Track Commanders Mason (F3 Plumlee), Libby (F3 She-Wolf) and Bradley (F3 Dark Knight) arrived appropriately bundled up and were excitedly greeted by the >30 F3 PAX ready to push. Upon successful transition to their wheeled racing chairs the PAX made their way to the starting line for final gear-check and pre-race BOM.
The excitement was palpable as the blaring music gave way to the national anthem and a sundrenched American flag blowing in the breeze from the side of the UNC Bell Tower. The countdown engaged and the 3 SFN chairs blasted off with a pumped up PAX behind them.
As with most F3 events, it’s not a race – until it becomes a race. YHC honestly thought we’d remain as a massive pack for the duration of the 10 miles and switch frequently. However, that plan changed a bit when Dark Knight realized we’d taken a small lead ahead of his friend and fellow Track Commander, Mason (F3 Plumlee). Once that happened, there was no looking back and it was officially a race. “Faster… Faster… we’re winning!” was the joyous call for the next 10miles as each of the SFN chairs crushed the course.
The PAX reconvened at the bottom of Laurel Hill for what would become yet another race to see who could reach the top of the 1 mile climb the fastest. With the entire PAX running together and the surge of adrenaline, I don’t think we’ve ever climbed that hill faster.
All 3 chairs crossed the finish line within 30 seconds of each other and the celebration began. Our 3 brave Track Commanders were reunited with their parents and Red October delivered an incredible presentation of their TH10 and SFN finishers medals.
The experience of integrating SFN with the TH10Miler was unmatched. A perfect day for any road race was made even better by the opportunity to be push (or be pushed?!) by Dark Knight, Plumlee and She-Wolf. Thanks to all who played both large and small roles in helping this event come together.
Aye!
-Coco