9 CLT Metro HIMs set out on another daring adventure from Grayson Highlands State Park on a crisp September morning in the year 2024 to join the likes of the 1927 Yanks, SCOTUS, and the Fellowship as one of the greatest nonets ever assembled by carrying a bracelet and a bucket to a brewery over 208 miles through the mountains to celebrate 20 years of BRR and 40 years of KGB.
The Thang: * Drive to Grayson Highlands. 0830 Fri launch. * Run to Highlands Brewing. Sloppy—>Becky—>KGB—>Last Man Standing—>Sable—>Waffle House—>Gravedancer—>Mr. Hankey—>Agony * Repeat x4. 1335 Sat finish. * COT with name-o-rama, KGB takeout, celebration, drive home.
Moleskine: * 29:04:57 total good enough for 8:16 average and 54th overall. * Blagojevich bag drop was auspicious and apropos start. * No injuries, just soreness. * Conditions were excellent. Overheard one man enjoying the view from elevation, “Ain’t North Carolina somethin!?” We were still in Virginia. * Zero Dougs. One delayed handoff and one dropped bracelet. EZ11 staging area and EZ34 shuttle were seamless. * Bigger field and later start translated to full exchanges and portapotties but good action on the course with plenty of kill opportunities. * Speaking of kills, total team count unknown but net positive over the full race. * Bobo’s were a hit and could be enough to land a sponsorship deal. * Sloppy with a blazing start from rear position. Also reports railroad grade is harder than appears. * Becky was uncharacteristically yet understandably angry about finish on 11. * Got KGB some Neosporin and a bucket for his birthday. Both were put to good use immediately. * Team coffee snob was fully caffeinated for 78 mins on parkway to pool. Cornish-Sunset cliff was mean. * Sable led in style with cool sunglasses. Work well in town, downhill, and even at night. * YHC got a needed boost on both sides of the Nipple. * Gravedancer took care of four legs and all wildlife. No major encounters reported. Did see 12 wolves in a van. * Mr. Hankey helped himself with a timely nudge to parkway shuttle driver who arrived with only 30 secs to spare. * Agony was disappointed to spot 3 min lead to Fourth F ultra master rivals at EZ35. If only someone hadn’t been 3 mins late to EZ26 it might have been a race to the finish… * All other legends and lore remain in the mountains and memories of all who ran.
Announcements, Prayers, & Acknowledgements: * The Buckets franchise lives on in 2025. Will be at least one spot open so now accepting applications. Likely dates Sep 5-6. * 75 days til Turkey Trot with 1mi, 5k, and 8k options plus muffins and mimosas. * Check out Mt. Mitchell Challenge Feb 22, 2025 if you want to crew for Agony. * Come support New Life Children’s Home with Block Party, 5:30pm at Sep 20 @ OG swim club. Food trucks, band, bounce houses, silent auction, etc. Also celebrate Sloppy M’s bday. * Glad Taf is okay. Wishing him speedy recovery and return to action. * Thx to Sloppy for rescue from diesel disaster, revising leg ratings, and the call to do hard things. * Thx to Becky for help refueling (at start and end), conquering cruel cemetery hill, and impeccable timing at EZ20. * Thx to KGB for education in Idiocracy, lovely swag, and being born. * Thx to Last Man Standing for sharing a spoon and reflector, eating up miles with a smile, and letting team use your Creekview home next year. * Thx to Sable for strong roster and lineup design, go pro, and patiently yielding to EZ pedestrians. * Thx to Gravedancer for working late, storytelling, and $5 (and $20) bill. * Thx to Mr. Hankey for late sub, negotiating rentals, and negotiating EZ34 just in time. * Thx to Agony for skipping urgent care, timekeeping and coaching, and pastor math. * Thx to each HIM above for another Highlands-to-Highlands Highlight. * Thx to Kylia and Jade for the NPS 100-level service. * Thx to other teams for competing. * Thx to race organizers and volunteers for making it happen. * Thx to Ms and 2.0s for the many sacrifices. * Thx to all pax for the chatter, feedback, and challenge—it’s a gift.