About Mountain Masochist Trail 50
“Lynchburg is the place for “real” mountain runners to be in October. But MMTR is not for everyone. If you are slow, as this reporter now is, the cutoff times are brutal. At my speed, you have pressure all day. Also, you need a sense of humor. If it bugs you that a course is longer than advertised, you don’t want to do MMTR.”
“Many people, this reporter included, repeatedly forget that the bottom line about MMTR is that it is tough. There are many uphills, not all steep but several are long and frustrating. The two trail sections are tough, technical, and beautiful. To finish MMTR is a significant accomplishment.”
“Masochists is a brutal reality check. If you are not prepared for it, David’s course will slap you around. Such a reality check is a very good thing. It’s just not always fun!”
The Mountain Masochist 50 Mile Trail Run [MMTR]
Probably the most enigmatic element of this legendary race is the actual mileage. “Horton Miles” are used to describe distances that are referred to as miles, but that may actually be quite a bit further. David Horton, the race director for Mountain Masochist, is a well known for organizing top-notch, high-quality ultramarathons; however, the concept of “Horton Miles” creates a level of ambiguity that has frustrated even some of the country’s top runners.
While some runners who have run the race use GPS units and markers to try and pinpoint the exact distance of the Mountain Masochist, it’s a generally accepted belief that 54 miles is most accurate.
Brutal Time Intervals
MMTR has cut-offs times for each of it’s sixteen aid stations. If, by the halfway point, you are not “on schedule” with the cut-off times, you are pulled from the race. These cut-offs are not exactly liberal unless you are someone who runs 50-milers quite regularly and with a significant amount of speed.
I hold neither honor. {sigh} …but that’s why I am training my butt-off. I am dedicated to completing this race.
To successfully complete the Mountain Masochist 50++ Mile race, you must do so in under twelve hours. That’s approximately (2), 6-hour marathons; and while they may not seem difficult to the average marathon runner, you must take into account that:
- The hills are brutal
- Trail races are more technical with rocks, roots, stumps etc… and thus, typically more difficult than road races
- Horton miles. There’s a big difference between an official 50 miles …and a realistic 54 miles
I may roll in at 11:59:59, but I will finish this race.
