Run It Fast®

Moments ago, at midnight Eastern Time, we launched Run It Fast’s ‘Race Across the USA: The Return Voyage,’ a 2,907 mile virtual team relay journey from Battery Park in New York City to the Santa Monica Pier just past Los Angeles.

We have 132 runners, walkers, and hikers of all levels, from 16 states and four countries, taking part in this edition of our Race Across the USA. Those 132 are broken down onto 12 teams of 11 runners each.

All miles are equal in that a fast mile and a slow mile both count the same. Runners can submit as many segments of miles daily as long as each one is 1.0+ miles. The race is 2,907 miles long. The first team to accumulate this number of miles will be the winner, and the race will conclude when the 12th and final team makes it to the Santa Monica Pier.

All four captains from our initial Run Across the USA team relay have returned along with eight new ones.

Team Names and Captains:

• The Metcalvary – Jen Metcalf
• Mojo Rising – Joshua Holmes
• Trip 2 My Lou – Marylou Corino
• Peers One – Rich Peers
• Eli’s PR Ice – Melissa Price
• The Beetroots – Lance McDermott
• Crowe Bars – Seth Crowe
• Kicking Glass – Tiffani Glass
• Tuck n’ Stroll – Shane Tucker
• Rev Run – David Pharr
• Alfa’s Omegas – Alfa Severino
• Grapes of Rath – Scott Kufferath

Jill Williams is once again holding it all down as our very detailed Mission Control. Kufferath is not running due to injury nor counted as a runner on his team.

After the runners signed up for the event, a random drawing was held where names were pulled out of a hat to assign them to a team. The last 10 runners to sign up were manually assigned to a team today before we started and about 5 drafted runners were moved between teams to even some things out and make it easier on family/captains.

Big miles are abound and new friendships will be made on the ground. We truly appreciate everyone taking part to make this an amazing journey during these unusual times.

Run It Fast’s ‘Race Across the USA‘ has all the teams to Texas or beyond. Every team was solid today with the Charlie Taylor Team having the best day outperforming their daily average by 24 miles. They had the 2nd most miles for the day, fourteen miles behind the race leaders, the Suzy Michelson Team, that racked up 185.59 miles, just below their daily average. The Hope Shull Team paced above their daily tracking average, and the Jeffrey Price Team fell about 20 miles below their average.

All-in-all, it was a great day with some strong performances once again. None bigger than the 42.03 miles Jeremy Reed led the Charlie Taylor Team and entire race for Day 9.

Day 9 Mileage Results of the Race Across the USA

• Suzy Michelson Team – 185.59 miles (12.37 mi/runner)
• Jeffrey Price Team – 142.95 miles (9.53 mi/runner)
• Charlie Taylor Team – 171.50 miles (11.43 mi/runner)
• Hope Shull Team – 131.36 miles (8.76 mi/runner)

RIF’s Race Across the USA Overall Standings 

1. Suzy Michelson Team – 1,705.95 miles (189.55/day, 58.68% completed)
2. Jeffrey Price Team – 1,472.25  miles (163.58 mi/day, 50.64% completed)
3. Charlie Taylor Team – 1,329.49 miles (147.72 mi/day, 45.7% completed)
4. Hope Shull Team – 1,142.59 miles (126.95 mi/day, 39.3% completed)

Click HERE to view where the teams are on the Google Map

Suzy Michelson Team: The Suzy’s were back in the throttle for a second day in a row with three teammates knocking out 20’s with many strong supporting performances. Chris Clemens did his thing with 25.56 miles, Kimberly Atkins hit 20 again as did David Nichols. Barry Reece (18.62) and team captain Shane Tucker (17.97) more than did their part. The Suzys had miles from all of their runners today with ten hitting double digits.

Dinner tonight was at Nick’s BBQ and Catfish about 30 miles east of Little Rock, Arkansas. Trent Rosenbloom, a Nashville Hot Chicken expert, persuaded the cook to add some Nashville heat. He then challenged several teammates to match him bite for bite. If they couldn’t they had to buy him a beer. Fourteen beers later for Monkey Trent, the team left Nick’s. Tomorrow should be interesting for the Suzy’s on the road putting down miles after their hot night. Hopefully, Anthony Ohrey remembered to pack the Home Depot bucket for the team. He’s got to be good for something.

Suzy Team Data at a Glance
Place: 1st
Day 9 Miles: 185.59 (1st)
Total Miles: 1,705.95
Top 5 SMT Runners (Day 9)

1. Chris Clemens – 25.56
2. Kimberly Atkins – 20.04
3. David Nichols – 20.00
4. Barry Reece – 18.62
5. Shane Tucker – 17.97

Jeffrey Price Team: After an amazing weekend where the Jeffs put miles on the race leading Suzys, it was only natural that they’d likely take a step back today. They did only have the 3rd most miles on Day 9, but it was still a respectable 142.95 miles. ‘Friendly Delivery’ Tom Orr was back on route and delivered 20 miles today with 21.28. He led the team but was followed closely by Heather ‘Double-Dime’ McComb with ANOTHER 20-spot – her 9th straight.

Karla Kent (14.13), John Leighton (14.06), and Sofie Romero (13.50) solidified the output for the Jeffs today.

The team is in Warner, Oklahoma and tomorrow will rock into Arkansas, just one state away from where most of the team resides, Tennessee.

Jeffrey Team Data at a Glance
Overall Place: 2nd
Day 9 Miles: 142.95 (3rd)
Total Miles: 1,472.25
Miles Back: -233.7
Top 5 JPT Runners (Day 9)

1. Tom Orr – 21.28
2. Heather McComb – 20.27
3. Karla Kent – 14.13
4. John Leighton – 14.06
5. Sofie Romero- 13.50

Charlie Taylor Team: What an amazing three-run performance Jeremy Reed put down today for 42.03 miles to give the Chucks their highest daily finish of the race. His phone went dead on his last run, but his wife Greta gave us a head’s up that Jeremy would be calling in big miles shorty…and boy did he with a 21.17 miles to finish with 42 miles. Steve Acciarito delivered another heroic performance after yesterday’s 32.78 miles by following it up today with 23.85 miles. Seth Crowe gave a solid contribution again with 15.21 miles as did Elva Matamoros with 12.57 miles. Even more bright news for the team today was that Sharon Carver, feeling better from her injury, was able to run 7 miles.

The Chucks are currently at the Starbucks in Yukon, Oklahoma where Jen Metcalf is propped up against a duffel bag double fisting frappuccinos.

Charlie Team Data at a Glance
Overall Place: 3rd
Day 9 Miles: 171.50 (2nd)
Total Miles: 1,329.49
Miles Back: -376.46
Top 5 CTT Runners (Day 9)

1. Jeremy Reed – 42.03
2. Steve Acciarito – 23.85
3. Joshua Holmes – 16.52
4. Seth Crowe – 15.21
5. Elva Matamoros – 12.57

Hope Shull Team: A great bounce-back day for the Hope Shull Team with 131.36 miles after failing to break the century mark yesterday. They were led today by Randy Broadway with 22.52 miles. Kit Brazier was strong as always contributing 22.06 miles. After several runners on the team needed rest yesterday, they all bounced back to contribute today. A total team effort and a result they should all be proud of.

They look forward to reaching Oklahoma tomorrow after a quick one-day stay over in Texas.

Hope Team Data at a Glance
Overall Place: 4th
Day 9 Miles: 131.36 (4th)
Total Miles: 1,142.59
Miles Back: -563.37
Top 5 HST Runners (Day 9)

1. Randy Broadway – 22.52
2. Kit Brazier – 22.06
3. Sherry Meador – 12.31
4. Marylou Corino – 10.00
5. Cathy Downes – 10.00

Team Mileage Leader of the Day

• Suzy Michelson Team – Chris Clemens (25.56 mi)
• Jeffrey Price Team – Tom Orr (21.28 mi)
• Charlie Taylor Team – Jeremy Reed (42.03 mi)
• Hope Shull Team – Randy Broadway (22.52 mi)

Top 10 Mega-Miles of the Day

1. Jeremy Reed (CTT) – 42.03
2. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 25.56
3. Steve Acciarito (CTT) – 23.85
4. Randy Broadway (HST) – 22.52
5. Kit Brazier (HST) – 22.06
6. Tom Orr (JPT) – 21.28
7. Heather McComb (JPT) – 20.27
8. Kimberly Atkins (SMT) – 20.04
9. David Nichols (SMT) – 20.00
10. Barry Reece (SMT) – 18.62

Top 10 Race Mile Leaders

1. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 222.93
2. Karl Studtmann (JPT) – 196.72
3. Heather McComb (JPT) – 188.68
4. Tom Orr (JPT) – 179.08
5. Barry Reece  (SMT) – 176.04
6. David Nichols (SMT) – 172.43
7. Seth Crowe (CTT) – 160.43
8. Jeremy Reed (CTT) – 158.23
9. Marylou Corino – (HST) – 155.60
10. Alex Barrientos (SMT) – 155.50

Jeremy Reed,with his massive 42.03 mile day, is the ‘Race Across the USA’ –  Peak Performer of the Day for Day 9.

Daily Updates and Standings Archive

• Day 9: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Jeremy’s Calling
• Day 8: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Lt. Dan Taylor
• Day 7: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Ben Hur-on
• Day 6: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Russell Branded
• Day 5: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Stairway to Heaven
• Day 4: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – 5 Nichols & 1 Penny
• Day 3: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Razing Arizona
• Day 2: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Showdown in the Desert 
• Day 1: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – And They Are Off…

Day 4 of the Run It Fast ‘Race Across the USA‘ is in the books, and we are running out of adjectives to describe these endorphin crazed road warriors.  The four teams combined for a total of 605.93 miles on Thursday, the most of any of the four days of the race. Many thought coming into today that these teams, with tired legs and life on the road setting in, would have fewer miles today. That just simply wasn’t the case. More on that below.

The front of the race to this point has been dominated by the Suzy Michelson Team and today they showed out like a 21-year old woman on Tik Tok. It would be unfair to call them a broken record, because they are knocking out hit, after hit, after hit every day on the road. The Suzy’s just missed a 200-mile day coming in at 195.77 miles. This is the most single day miles, by a team, so far in the race. The team was fueled today by…everyone.

The Suzy’s were led by David ‘5’ Nichols ‘and a penny’ today who romped to 26.32 miles (and a relaxing dip in the pool). The 20-somethings didn’t stop there as motivational speaker Chris Clemens put down 25.19 miles before retiring for the night in a van down by the river. Other 20’s from the SMT were put down by Eryn Tyner (20.03) and JR Reynolds (20.11).

The Suzy’s galloped into New Mexico and are stationed currently in the town of Grants. They have completed 25.1% of the race with 729.78 miles. They sit comfortably ahead of the field with a 136-mile lead.

David Nichols is the ‘Race Across the USA’ –  Peak Performance of the Day.

The other three teams were very comparable today in the amount of miles they put down.

The Hope Shull Team, building on yesterday’s strong push, had another strong day with 129.48 miles. They have now put down strong back-to-back days that has lifted team morale. They simply refuse to roll over with the rest of the roadkill on the route. Today they were lead by Captain Marylou. She followed up yesterday’s 30-piece with 25 more miles today. She has turned it up the past two days. Again, she was joined by Kit Brazier for big miles today. Kit laid down 21.6 miles and has 79.49 miles over the last four days. Ben Herron, Cathy Downes, and Randy Broadway each went over double digit miles, as well.

HST is currently at 482.2 miles. They currently are at a Wal-Mart in Flagstaff, Arizona looking for muscle rub for Kufferath, peach pies, and sweet tea (3 teammates used the electric wheelchairs – no names were given).

The Jeffrey Price Team continues to be solid and strong. They are such a fierce and strong group just like their namesake was to so many. They lost some ground to The Suzys today, but they are in a good spot where they will be able to take advantage of any misfortune that might occur on the road ahead of them. Aaron Braunstein, left for dead on the injured list back in California, had a Lazarus awakening today coming back for 3 miles. He hobbled out of the van, Willis Reed style, then hobbled back up in the RV. ‘Mr. Climbing the Stairway to Heaven’ Tom Orr did it once again today with a remarkable 21.14 miles. His daily mile progression from the start has been 16.09, 18.39, 20.29, and 21.14 today (75.79 total). Alfa Severino stepped it up a notch with 19.07 miles for JPT.

But the MVP of the race so far for JPT has been Heather ‘Double Dime’ McComb. She knocked out her fourth consecutive day of 20+ miles with 20.13 today giving her a team leading 85.37 miles. That total is also the second most by an individual in the entire race.

JPT is currently at 592.97 miles and in 2nd place overall. On the tracking map it looks like they are in the middle of a Petrified Forest National Park in New Mexico. Many of their legs are likely feeling the same.

The Charlie Taylor Team (which we are petitioning to change to the Charlie Taylor Band) did their thing today. They increased their output over yesterday by 25 miles clipping off 137.06 miles before check-in tonight. Every single runner on the team contributed for the fourth day in a row (60-60).

They were led by Seth Crowe (22.06 mi), Tiffani Glass (20.01mi), and Joshua Holmes (18.29 mi). Crowe has been the high scorer for the team so far with 70.43 miles over the four days. Tiffani, stated that she wanted to get 10 today, but that she felt so good, with the warm sun at her back, that she just kept on running for a total of 20 miles. Jen Metcalf and Jeremy Reed also reached into double figures once again.

Steve Acciarito is currently listed on the injury report with pain on the top of his foot. He is listed as day-to-day.

CTT has completed 18.2% of the race with 529.96 miles. They sit in third place, a handful of miles just west of Winslow, Arizona.

Click HERE to view where the teams are on the Google Map

Day 4 Mileage Results of the Race Across the USA

• Suzy Michelson Team – 195.77 miles (13.05mi/runner)
• Jeffrey Price Team – 143.62 miles (9.57mi/runner)
• Charlie Taylor Team – 137.06 miles (9.14mi/runner)
• Hope Shull Team – 129.48 miles (8.63mi/runner)

RIF’s Race Across the USA Overall Standings (thru Day 4)

1. Suzy Michelson Team – 729.78 miles (182.45/day, 25.1% completed)
2. Jeffrey Price Team – 592.97  miles (148.24 mi/day, 20.4% completed)
3. Charlie Taylor Team – 529.96 miles (132.49 mi/day, 18.2% completed)
4. Hope Shull Team – 482.20 miles (120.55 mi/day, 16.6% completed)

 

Team Mileage Leader of the Day

• Suzy Michelson Team – David Nichols (26.32 mi)
• Jeffrey Price Team – Tom Orr (21.14 mi)
• Charlie Taylor Team – Seth Crowe (22.06 mi)
• Hope Shull Team – Marylou Corino (25.00 mi)

Top 10 Mega-Miles of the Day

1. David Nichols (SMT) – 26.32
2. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 25.19
3. Marylou Corino (HST) – 25.00
4. Seth Crowe (CTT) – 22.06
5. Kit Brazier (HST) – 21.6
6. Tom Orr (JPT) – 21.14
7. Heather McComb (JPT) – 20.13
8. JR Reynolds (SMT) – 20.11
9. Eryn Tyner (SMT) – 20.03
10. Tiffani Glass (CTT) – 20.01

Top 10 Race Mile Leaders

1. Chris Clemens (SMT) – 91.51
2. Heather McComb (JPT) – 85.37
3. Barry Reece  (SMT) – 80.2
4. Kit Brazier (HST) – 79.49
5. Marylou Corino – (HST) – 77.5
6. Tom Orr (JPT) – 75.91
7. David Nichols (SMT) – 74.65
8. Karl Studtmann (JPT) – 70.96
9. Seth Crowe (CTT) – 70.43
10. Thomas Fowler  (SMT) – 70.26

Daily Updates and Standings Archive

• Day 4: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – 5 Nichols & 1 Penny
• Day 3: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Razing Arizona
• Day 2: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Showdown in the Desert 
• Day 1: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – And They Are Off…

Run It Fast’s ‘Race Across the USA’ kicks off at midnight on April 13, 2020. It will pit four teams comprised of 60 Run It Fast members racing each other across the United States. The race starts on the Santa Monica Pier in California, just outside of Los Angeles, and will go all the way to New York City.

The teams will cover the 2,907 miles by team members submitting their day running/walking/hiking miles to their team captain daily. This will be done via screenshots of their Strava/Garmin/GPS from an outside run or via a photo of their treadmill displaying the appropriate data.

The four teams are named after Run It Fast members that passed on from us way too soon. It’s a simple way we can help remember them and keep their legacy close to us.

Race Across the USA Team Names

• Charlie Taylor Team
• Hope Shull Team
• Suzy Michelson Team
• Jeffrey Price Team

Team Rosters for the Run It Fast’s ‘Race Across the USA’

Participant Rules:

• Can start Monday 4/13/2020 at 12:00 A.M. of the time zone you are currently residing in.
• No less than 1.0 mile for any outing. You can submit as many runs/walks/hikes you want a day that you do. Each one just must be at least 1.0 miles.
• You MUST have GPS (prefer Strava/Garmin) and send a snapshot of each run/walk/hike to your team captain within 24 hrs. If you happen to forget to turn in your miles you have 48 hrs to get them in before those particular miles expire. Treadmill miles count too and just need a snapshot sent as well. 
• Map will be updated 1x per day with all team progress.

Any other rules that need to be created or issues that arise will be decided and agreed upon by the four captains.

A big thanks to all these runners taking part, and a special big thanks to the captains:  Shane Tucker, Marylou Corino, Melissa Price, Joshua Holmes, and Jill Williams, who is our Mission Control helping keep us straight with all the numbers and logistics.

This is the finisher’s medal for the Black Diamond 40 Mile that was held on Black Friday – November 29, 2013 in Jackson, Tennessee.

This race has individual and relay categories.

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[Medal submitted by RIF #4 Marj Mitchell. Follow her on Twitter @marathonmarj]

This is the finisher’s medal for the Tennessee Ragnar Relay that was held from October 25-26, 2013 from Chattanooga to Nashville, Tennessee.

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[medal photo submitted by RIF #60 Christy Bowers – follow her on Twitter @run2bake]

This is the medal for the 223 Mile Capital To Coast Relay that took place on October 18-19, 2013 from Austin to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Here’s a close-up of the medal:

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[medal submitted by RIF #116 Nicholas Norfolk. Follow him on Twitter @absolut_zer0]

 

This is the medal for the Ragnar Relay Florida Keys that was held on January 4-5, 2013 from Miami to Key West, Florida.

This was a relay race of 197 miles for teams of 6-12. You can check out the series here: Ragnar Relay

Here is another photo of the relay medal:

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[Medal photos submitted by Larry Keister, follow him on Twitter @royalkeister and Winey and We know It, follow them on Twitter @WineyatRagnar]

The inaugural Black Diamond 40 Miler + Relay took place on Black Friday – November 23, 2012 in Jackson, Tennessee.  The race took runners from Jackson to Milan to Humboldt and back to the finish in Jackson over the course of 40.50 miles.

Jonathan Harrison left the field two miles into the race and set a blistering pace as the rest of the field couldn’t keep up.  One of the more amazing things about Harrison’s run is that it was his first time to go beyond a 50K.  He even set a PR marathon split along the way.

He led the entire race until around mile 29 when Joshua Holmes caught up to him in Humboldt.  The two continued to push each other from Humboldt, down Windy City Road, back to the finish at All Saints Anglican Church.

Holmes finished in 6:22:48 with Harrison coming in a close second in 6:31:27.

Brad Box ran strong throughout the day and finished in third place with a time of 6:42:18.

On the women’s side the win went to Jennifer Whitley in 7:27:57 with Diane Bolton, like Harrison running for the first time beyond a 50K, coming in second place with a time of 7:37:19.

Mikki Trujillo, running her first 40 Miler, came in third place in 8:14:53.

Black Diamond 40 Miler Results

1. Joshua Holmes (Jackson, TN) – 6:22:48 (9:27/pace)
2. Jonathan Harrison (Henderson, TN) – 6:31:27 (9:39)
3. Brad Box (Jackson, TN) – 6:42:18 (9:56)
4. Danny Staggs (Livingston, TN) – 7:01:35 (10:24)
5. Anthony Ohrey (Henderson, TN) – 7:23:29 (10:57)
6. Jennifer Whitley (Murfreesboro, TN) – 7:27:57 (11:03) – 1st Female
7. Diane Bolton (Nashville, TN) – 7:37:19 (11:17)
8. James Krenis (Jackson, TN) – 8:07:53 (12:02)
9. Mike Youngblood (Shelbyville, TN) – 8:14:44 (12:13)
10. Mikki Trujillo (Cookeville, TN) – 8:14:53 (12:13)
11. Winston Trice (Hayes, VA) – 8:23:54 (12:26)
12. David Oglesby (Jackson, TN) – 8:53:03 (13:09)
13. Billy Cannon (Milan, TN) – 9:00:25 (13:20)
14. Heather Shoemaker (Alpharetta, GA) – 9:34:14 (14:10)
15. Scott Stader (Jackson, TN) – 9:34:14 (14:10)

Congrats to Harrison, Box, Staggs, Ohrey, Bolton, Trujillo, Trice, Oglesby, and Cannon who all set Personal Longs!

The Black Diamond Relay was competitive as the Just A Blur team anchored by a blistering final leg by Steven Reagan came from behind to beat the Diamond-Dolls by nearly six minutes.

Third place relay team went to -Y Racing which broke 6 hours as well.

Black Diamond 40 Miler Relay Results

1. Just A Blur (Steven Reagan, Marj Mitchell, Mark Finton, Michael Banks) – 5:36:09 (8:18/pace)
2. Diamond-Dolls (Kristen Doyle, Angie Box, Leanne Dibrell, Nick Butter) – 5:42:04 (8:26)
3. -Y Racing (Julie Montgomery, Lyndi Strange, Erin Gray, Melanie Kayal) – 5:51:14 (8:40)
4. Fit4@5  (David Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Scott Gatlin, Julanne Stone) – 6:11:14 (9:10)
5. Run It For Fun (Jim Warmbrod, Ed Woodside, Amy West, Zach Hagen) – 6:23:12 (9:27)
6. Thanksgiving Leftovers (Daniel Escue, Joey Kennedy) – 7:06:08 (10:31)

Here is the finisher’s medal from the 3rd Annual Capital to Coast Relay that covered 223 miles from Austin, Texas down to Corpus Christi, Texas on October 5-6, 2012.

Simple, strong, beautiful medal!

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[Medal photo submitted by RIF #116 Nicholas Norfolk.  Follow him on Twitter @absolut_zer0]