HURTS so Good – The HURT 100: Why I love my boyfriend, but think he’s a little crazy

I knew something was up when my boyfriend went for a run one afternoon from Waikiki to Hawaii Kai, up and down Kokohead crater (a 1200 foot, 1000 plus staircase climb) and back to Waikiki. That’s a 27-28 mile trek. For fun. “You ran more than a marathon,” I said incredulously. “Yeah,” he shrugged.

I guess it should have come as no surprise then, when he told me he wanted to run the HURT 100 race in January 2012. The HURT is a 100 mile endurance trail run in the Hawaiian rainforest. Runners have 36 hours to complete five 20 mile loops of rugged single track trails through Tantalus, Manoa, and Nu’uanu. It is one of the most difficult courses in the country with over 24 thousand feet of total elevation gain (and loss), roots, rocks, mud, and stream crossings. It’s 100 miles in the jungle. It’s grueling. It’s crazy.

Who in their right mind would ever want to do this?

I’m intrigued.

My curiosity led me to the HURT Hawaii website and blog where I learned, in fact, a whole lot of people want to do this.  This year, 230 people from around the world applied for the race and that number keeps growing every year.  The HURT is one of eighty-nine 100 mile races in North America held annually. HURT stands for Hawaii Ultra-Running Team, a club that formed back in the late 1980’s, that is now responsible for most of the ultra runs that take place in the Hawaiian Islands.

The HURT 100 has room for only 125 ‘lucky’ runners, thus entrants are chosen via a weighted lottery. Runners are announced at an official HURT 100 Lottery Selection Show Party, held by one of the race organizers every summer.

Though I think my boyfriend may be a wee bit loco, I am a supportive girlfriend and all for conquering physical feats of endurance. If anyone can do it, he can. So I crossed my fingers for him and we headed off to the lottery party in early August. (I also duly noted a hint on the website stating that attending the party increased your chances of being selected. Point for supportive girlfriend!)

The Lottery Party

We arrive at the party to meet a house full of friendly people. There are kids and dogs running around, a table full of food, and an excited buzz of anticipation in the air. Brian introduces me to a couple guys he met on a training run the day before. People continue to stream in the door; some newbies like us, other old faces who are greeted by their HURT family with smiles, hugs and jokes. One thing I know for certain: everyone in this room (minus the wimpy supporters like me) is a seriously TOUGH individual. I overhear a few people talking about a 24-hour mountain bike race they did the day before.

Jeff, one of the race organizers and whose home we were at is saying hello and ordering everyone to eat and drink. “And put your name on that list over there,” he instructed, “So you get a kukui nut for next year.”

A what?

“Go put your name on that list,” I tell Brian, “I don’t know what it means but you need a nut.” More like you ARE a nut, I think to myself.

Brian and I make a plate of food and find a seat, beside Melanie and Scott, a couple from the North Shore. Melanie and I bond over our boyfriends’ desire to attempt such a feat. Scott explains that he didn’t get in to the race last year so he volunteered as a pacer for a runner. “It’s more of a safety thing,” he tells us, “Towards the end of the race, it’s nice to have someone run with you for portions of the course, particularly in the dark. Even just to have someone to talk with to keep you sane.”

I feel my eyes widen and I give Brian a look that says, “Are you SURE you want to do this?”

Runners don headlamps at night to navigate the trails in the dark. There are aid stations throughout the course where racers can drink, eat, change shoes, tend to injuries and rest.

“Five minutes until we begin!” Jeff announces to the crowd. He informs us that people are anxiously sitting at their computers around the world waiting to see their names appear on the list. We cannot start late. There is a round of quick introductions and Jeff explains the process of selection.

Runners are awarded kukui nuts (The Hawaiian version of points) for a variety of criteria, which can increase their odds in the lottery. Volunteering for the event, pacing, race history, and attending the lottery party are some of the reasons one may be awarded a kukui nut. (Thus, Brian has an extra nut for next year’s lottery). After the 125 entrants are named, another fifty names are drawn in the following days which make up a waitlist. For numerous reasons (finances, injuries etc.) many runners cannot make it to the race, so those on the waitlist are then bumped up and secured a position.

The clock strikes 2:00pm and all eyes turn to the big screen TV where entrants’ profiles will appear as they are electronically drawn. One by one, names are called and cheers erupt when a local runner’s picture appears. The resumes of some of the runners are impressive; some have completed dozens of 100 mile races and ultra runs across North America. For some, HURT will be their first. Remarkably, race directors John Salmonson, Jeff Huff, and other HURT members have a little story or tidbit of information about a large number of the individuals called. They tell stories of runners who broke ankles, ribs and fingers and finished the race, stories of run-ins with wild pigs, amazing volunteers, colorful characters, all who helped create an epic history of HURT 100’s.

I realize we’re amidst a unique and dedicated tribe and suddenly I want Brian’s name to be called more than anything.

As luck of the draw goes, a large number of Canadians make it into the mix and a collective groan fills the room each time. It’s all in good fun but having grown up in Canada I can’t help but secretly giggle. “What can I say,” I whisper to Brian, “Canadians are some of the most hardcore outdoors people on the planet.” He rolls his eyes. Canadians aren’t the only lucky ones today; a lot of Southern Californians are also making the list. A couple runners from Japan and Australia are called. The age of runners ranges from 21 to 68 and I am surprised to see the average age seems to fall somewhere between 35-45. Younger runners may have speed, but older runners have more experience when it comes to mental toughness.

We get down to the final ten entrants and I’m pretty sure I have all my fingers and toes crossed. There is a feeling of disappointment hovering in the room due to the low number of local runners who made the list.

I take a deep breath before the final runner is announced, hoping to see my guy’s handsome face light up the screen…..

No dice.

Brian did not make the waitlist either, but he is still going to train and show up on the day of the race. Sometimes people drop out of HURT only days before the event and if there is a spot open on race day and you’re prepared, you’re in. Either way, we will be there to volunteer, be it pacing or at an aid station.

This is one race I am not going to miss. Good luck and happy training to all the HURT 2012 runners!

For more info on the HURT 100, visit: http://www.hurt100trailrace.com/

So You Want to Enter HURT by CGammon
http://www.xtranormal.com/xtraplayr/12323059/so-you-want-to-enter-hurt