Dozens of runners in the QC planned to stay up running while the rest of us were sleeping.
The Cornbelt Running Club held its annual 24-Hour Run in Eldridge, Iowa at North Scott High School Saturday, May 3, 2014. The run started at 7 a.m. and was set to end at 7 a.m. Sunday.
“This is about people to prove what they really can do,” said Race Director Karl Ungurean. “It’s something bigger than a marathon and some people do it just for fun, some people do it to see what they can do, and some of them they must be crazy to do it.”
Among the many runners was 74-year-old Ed Rousseau, shooting for a national record.
“I’m out here putting down the miles,” said Rousseau.
He was attempting to break the record for his age group running 53 miles in 12 hours; he didn’t quite make that goal bus was close with just three miles off. He was also aiming for a personal best of 100 miles in 24 hours.
Rousseau said he’s planning to try for that national record again next year.
Another runner said she was out to see how far she could get.
“Seeing how far you can push yourself and motivate yourself and keep yourself going for that long of time," said Erin Mahr. “Some hours are easier than others, when it gets late you get kind of loopy.”
And although the miles get tiring, the runners plenty of camaraderie and friends to help along the way.
2014 was the club’s 33rd annual 24-Hour Run.