Have you met Tim Hardy? He seems like a normal guy. Even his website, www.oneaveragerunner.com makes you believe that he is just another runner in the pack.
Those of us that know him know this isn’t really the case. Tim’s list of accomplishments are anything but ordinary.
Last month, Tim completed the Last Annual Vol State 500k. That’s right, Five Hundred Kilometers. The race basically traverses the state of Tennessee from its northwestern corner to its southeastern corner and includes bits of Missouri, Kentucky, and Alabama before finishing in Georgia.
That sounds pretty impressive, but he’s also completed the Badwater 135. Billed as “The World’s Toughest Foot Race”, the Badwater 135’s start line is at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,300’ (2530m), which is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States. This change in elevation is done at an average temperature of 116° F.
If 135 miles in sweltering heat doesn’t impress you check out the Arrowhead 135. It is an Ultra Marathon taking place in the coldest part of winter in the coldest city in the lower 48 states. Historically, the coldest race anyplace, even the Arctic, temperatures are typically below negative 30° F as runners cross northern Minnesota.
Tim has completed these three beasts. One race he didn’t finish? The Barkley Marathons. Tim was prominently displayed in the documentary “The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young.” Sometimes even failures are impressive.
All together, Tim has run 65 races of marathon distance or further, most of them on trails or in extreme conditions. He is also the race director for Green Lakes Endurance Runs. (Register now!)
Tim is also the founder of the group Just Pick it Up! This group encourages people to clean up trash while out on their runs or walks.
Tim will be joining us at the shop on Wednesday, August 29th to discuss The Last Annual Vol State Race, ultrarunning, and what it takes for seemingly ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Join us for our free Lemonade Run at 6:00 pm. All speeds are welcome and encouraged to participate. The discussion will occur immediately after. Stop in, listen, ask questions, and be inspired to do what you never believed you could.