Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - Dogmeat 50k

It used to be all you needed to run THNGVBD was two thumbs and one brain. In the new era, it's "Hello beautiful people", according to our new race director, Sylvie Abel. Now, you'll probably need a whole face and maybe even hair (sorry, Stephen). Anyway, I'm sure you at least have a face beautiful enough for your mother to love, so that's gotta count. And you only need one thumb for that.

THNGVBD is a glorified fatass training run designed to punish your quads, test your willpower and kill off any last remaining brain cells that might have you reconsider doing Broken Arrow, Rut, Flagstaff Skyrace, and other general life choices?

For a measly $50-$200, you have a few trail options

The 50k option

• 10,900 ft gain in 50k (32 miles)
• 10 repeats of Dogmeat
• Strava Route

The 30k Fun Run option

• 6,035 ft gain in almost 30k (18.2 miles)
• 5 repeats of Dogmeat
• Strava Route

The Moderately Annoying, Mildly Irritating Morning Puppy Run

• 3,000 ft gain in 10 miles
• 2 repeats of Dogmeat (Puppymeat) 

Anything beyond cost goes to dog charity. So if you can, sign up more than once!

Aid Station? Bring your own. Pack your own food and water up Limekiln to the saddle at the Priest Rock junction below Dogmeat and crew yourself. There *might* be some potluck style snacks to share, but don't count on your luck on this route.

Crew? If you can convince someone to mule 4 miles for you, your friends are dumber than you are. If you can't, congratulations, you're the dumb one in your friend group. Or more likely, you don't have any friends after asking them to crew you on Dogmeat.

Pacers? Allowed the whole time. Pacemakers, too.

Poles? Sure, I don't care what country you come from.

Prizes? Seriously? What's better than running up Dogmeat ten times?

Cutoff? I should have cut myself off at 3 beers before coming up with this idea. Seriously, this may take a lot longer than your typical 50k. 8 to 12 hours is normal, so plan accordingly. The trail closes after sunset, 7:30 PM. Realistically, you should reconsider starting a summit of Dogmeat after 6 PM.

Dogs? Well behaved dogs. So not you, Trevor! 

Rain? Yeah, it might rain, might not. 

Date March 29, 2025 

Start time 6-8 AM, start on your own schedule. 7:30 group start for those so inclined to a joint venture
Start place. Limekiln trailhead (google map). From San Jose, 17 south to Bear Creek exit, go over bridge, and back on 17 north 1/4 mile to Alma Bridge Rd. There is limited parking at Limekiln trailhead, but lots of off-road parking at the dam.

REGISTER UP ON ULTRASIGNUP

Limit 50 runners. If you're on the waitlist, well, I'm sorry for that. I can't stop you from doing the run anyway. It's a public trail. The 

Rules

This is a no support fat-ass event. You are on your own for all aid and supplies. For the 50k, you should plan on bringing about 1-2 gallons of water, backpack or carry, plus food. You can leave your supplies at the Limekiln-Priest Rock junction at the bottom of Dogmeat, at the top, in the middle, or carry everything with you at all times. No bathroom facilities are available. You may have a crew help you bring supplies. You can carry sandbags or your husband/wife if you want.

There is no specific start time. Start and finish on your own. Your finish time will be verified by GPX or Strava. If you are on Strava, make your run public and you'll see the 2x, 5x and 10x segments on there - that will be your official time. If you don't make it public, you can get GPX from your Strava using the tool icon below. Send email to the RD with your GPX by mid-week to get your results included. If you finish at least 2 but less than 5, then you will get credit for the puppymeat. If you finish at least 5 but less than 10, you will get credit for the fun run. If you do more than 10, well, that's pretty stupid (but not unprecedented).

Waiver

This event is a non-supported, free event. I am participating of my own free will and assume all risks associated with my participation. Running, walking, hiking can be dangerous and pose a risk of injury or even death. I fully assume the risks associated with my participation in this event including but not limited to: hazards from improper technique, accidents or illness in remote locations without medical facilities, actions of other participants, equipment failure, inadequate safety measures, THE RELEASEES’ OWN NEGLIGENCE, weather conditions, and the risk of any personal or bodily injury, disability or death. I understand that the organizers are not providing any support, food, water or first aid. I HEREBY WAIVE, RELEASE, DISCHARGE, HOLD HARMLESS, AND PROMISE TO INDEMNIFY AND NOT TO SUE the Releasees’ from any and all claims of any kind and character, including claims arising from the Releasees’ own negligence, and from any and all damages directly or indirectly arising out of or incident to my participation in this fat ass event on public trails in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.