Wednesday, September 23, 2020

From Covid to Laura - Tough Times for Lake Charles


 Well, since the last post, so much has changed.  Between Covid and Hurricane Laura, our friends in Southwest Louisiana have taken quite the beating.  Sam Houston Jones State Park was right in the path of the storm and too heavy damage and it will take a while to recover.  Even when it does, it will be a different park for a while.   

No Man's Land Trail Race is cancelled for 2020, but will come back strong in 2021.  This race will be a representation of the people of Southwest Louisiana - they may get knocked backwards once in a while, but they come back stronger and with more of a sense of purpose than ever.  

We will see you guys on Saturday, October 23, 2021, and it will be one heck of a celebration - of the toughness and tenacity of our friends and family who were affected by Laura.  By that time, we will have identified a local charity in the area that was instrumental to the recovery efforts to feature as the beneficiary of a portion of our race proceeds.  

Until then, please keep the good people of Louisiana in your thoughts as they begin their long journey to recovery.

Edie

Sunday, February 16, 2020

From Danimal to No Man's Land

Update 8.19.2020 -  the race is ON!  

I will know more about possible caps in runners when the Governor gives the latest info on the 28th, but after speaking to the park, it is a go!  We will be heading out in the next few weeks to nail down the details of the course, but the distances won't change much.  I am excited to get back to trail races and being surrounded by the nicest people on the planet - trail runners!  I will update as I get more info, but until then, check out the finisher medals that each of our finishers will receive.  

Until then, Happy (sweaty) Running! --Edie











Dan and I after he placed 2nd Male in the 40 miler at Loup Garou.


When my friend and fellow race director, Dan Smith, approached me after Loup Garou and asked if I would be interested in taking over the Danimal, a great race that he has hosted in Sam Houston Jones State Park in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for years now, I was honored but unsure.  At the time I was in the middle of hosting my largest ultra distance trail race, and it was hard to even think about adding another race to my roster.  (I currently host Loup Garou, Red Dirt Ultra, and Chicot Challenge, and I work full time as an Exective Director for Maddie's Footprints, a local non-profit.  My plate is pretty full.

But, the more I thought about it, the more perfect of a fit it became.  I was born in Lake Charles, and my family has been in the area since the early 1800's.  I love the history of the area, and especially the story about the neutral strip or "No Man's Land".  (Click here for more info.)

I was lucky enough to run the Danimal in 2018 and I absolutely loved the race.  Dan knows how to put on a trail race, and everything went smoothly (despite the abundance of roots along the course).  I have great memories of taking my kids camping when they were little and of many nights staying up late with family playing cards  at Sam Houston Jones Park.

I am grateful to Dan for his confidence, and I am looking forward to staying true to the spirit of the Danimal, while bringing the same family feel that people have come to expect from Paix Running races over the years.

This is going to be a fun event, and I can't wait to share it with all of you!  And I am looking forward to handing Dan a No Man's Land medal (and knowing him, possibly an award as well).

More details coming soon, but in the meantime, mark your calendars!

Saturday, October 24, 2020
The Inaugural 
No Man's Land Trail Race