Pumpkin Holler 2016 Recap

© 2016, Susan Westmoreland

This year brought another record crowd out to Eagle Bluff Resort to our SIXTH RUNNING of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd. our numbers increased in the 25K, 50K, and 135-mile events. The 100K and 100-Mile attendees were off a little, but a lot of 135ers stopped at 100 miles or 100K. The 10K was set aside in lieu of a 10 Mile, which is a better fit for the course... Read the rest at the link below.

Link: http://trailzombie100.blogspot.com/2016/10/pumpkin-holler-2016-recap.html

Finishing the Race

© 2016, Bill Edgar

One hundred and thirty five miles.

Thats a really long way. And thats the best way I can describe it without using expletives.

But I did it. With all sorts of help, with decimated legs, with about half of a functioning brain, with no time to spare, through the grace of God.

This race is a game changer for me. Not only is it a big step up in distance, but it was a true odyssey. I learned so much about myself that I can apply both in ultras and elsewhere. But lets rub all that glow off for a second and just acknowledge that it was also three dozen hours of absolute torture.

I hate the grind. I love the grind.

Link: https://distanceahead.wordpress.com/2016/11/16/pumpkin-holler-report-finishing-the-race/

Carl, Dale and Jodi ready to race in the 2016 Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd

© 2016, Liz Beaudrie-Baker

Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd started with a hectic week – teaching, meetings, then a rush to the airport, delayed flights, and landing in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1:00 a.m. on Friday, checking into an airport hotel, desperate for a few hours of rest before the endeavor ahead. The story is not new; rather, it’s a depiction of the typical pre-race scenario of the last few years of my life. Rush rush rush, arrive, race, rush rush rush, return.

Link: https://ultrarunning.com/featured/pumpkin-holler-hundred-race-report/

Pumpkin Holler directors cut (2015)

© 2015, Deanna Jensen

It's taken a few days to collect my thoughts after the fifth running of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd. We had a great year with nearly 100 more runners than last years record crowd. Most were in the 50K and 25K, but all distances had an increase in entries. This is TATUR's premier race, and we've had runners from over 30 states run with us.

We were also blessed with volunteers from the pre-race activities to the post race pack-it-up detail. One newest volunteer and promoter was Meego. When he was not sabotaging embroidering machines and timing equipment, he was haunting and taunting people to sign up for things people never dreamed they'd be doing...

Link: http://trailzombie100.blogspot.com/2015/10/pumpkin-holler-directors-cut.html

Stormy & Dana are welcome sites at the finish line for a 100 mile 'jog' (more like walk).

© 2015, Beyond Ordinary Life Photography

So, I went for a run this weekend...

The Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd race is hosted near Tahlequah Oklahoma along the Illinois River and surrounding the Nickel Family Nature Preserve. Even after a week it is still surreal and I only know it happened based on pictures on Facebook and the buckle and shirt sitting on my nightstand.

A person’s first 100 mile run probably doesn’t count. Nobody believes it. Finishing seems like a fluke or a dream. This is my second 100 mile run and it is becoming a bit more real now.

About the Race:

Words cannot describe this race adequately. Pictures cannot capture the true stories behind the smiles on runners and volunteers.

Link: http://www.yirun.org/2015/10/so-i-went-for-run-this-weekend.html

Pumpkin Holler 2014, from my point of view

© 2014, Jessi Wiley

Founding Race Director Ken "TZ" Childress provides a walk through history and how he stumbled upon a little slice of heaven that he now wants to share with you at the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd. Read over his 2014 look-back and race report.

Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd started out as a far fetched idea back in 2009. A couple of RD friends from Missouri and Arkansas were talking of having a 4-state 100 mile series with Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma--but there was no annual 100 mile event in Oklahoma. Since I was a newish RD of the Snake Run, and Lake McMurtry, I was asked if I would be interested. I was--but I was also very overwhelmed by the idea of taking on such a huge project. I buried the idea for a year, but in 2010, the wheels started turning...

Link: http://trailzombie100.blogspot.com/2014/10/pumpkin-holler-2014-from-my-point-of.html

Kelvin and Melissa get thier first 100 Mile completion greeting from Stormy

© 2014, unknown

Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd Report

I've been sitting here staring at a blank screen trying to decide where to start. I told my friend Monica I didn't know where to start and she told me to start with the fact that I'm a badass. So, here it is. I ran 103.7 miles on a hilly, rocky road. I'm a total badass. For those that don't want to read a long, boring blog, let me sum it up for you. I had a plan, I executed it. I smashed that pumpkin!

My journey began at 8:00 am on Saturday. 29 hours and 24 minutes later, it was over. It is amazing what a person can go through in that span of time and over that many miles. We all lined up and it seemed like people were fighting to be in the back. At a lot of races people want to be in the front. Not this one. I think most of us knew we had a long day ahead of us, and no one wanted to go out too fast. We took off and as we were running through the campground where the start/finish is, I got a little choked up. I've wanted to run 100 miles for such a long time. I've worked so hard this summer, and it was finally going to happen. The course consisted of an 8 mile out and back and 3 loops of 31.9 miles. The total length is 103.7. Nasty trick, right? 3.7 miles may not seem significant, but I'm here to tell you, it is.

Link: http://runningwithmel.blogspot.com/2014/10/pumpkin-holler-hunnerd-report.html

Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 2013

© 2013, Danielle Huddleston

The third running of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd has came and gone, and this year was amazing. We had a few less entrants in all four distances which was a little disappointing, but the enthusiasm was over the top.

Eagle Bluff hosted us again, and as long as Comb's Bridge is still in service, we'll have it here. This is possibly the most scenic stretch of the Illinois River. Brian and I camped Thursday night, and were up at the crack of dawn to get things ready. The porta-potty dude came at 9:30 instead or 8-ish, so we started work on the loop with a big time deficit.

Link: http://trailzombie100.blogspot.com/2013/10/pumpkin-holler-hunnerd-2013.html

2012 Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd, from my perspective

© 2012, Podium Images

Friday night, we met at the Presbyterian Church in Tahlequah for the pre-race dinner/packet pick-up/race briefing. Brian and I had been on the course all day, setting up the start/finish line, and aid stations. We must be getting better, because we both made it to the dinner early.

I could not have survived the weekend without help of such awesome friends. I'll toss a thank you out here and there, starting with Susan Westmoreland. Susan ordered this cake for the pre-race dinner, ordered the pizza from Sam and Ella's...

Link: http://trailzombie100.blogspot.com/2012/10/pumpkin-holler-hunnerd-from-my.html

2012 Pumpkin Holler 50K by Brian Desmarais

© 2012, Brian Desmarais

Check out this 50K race report from Brian Desmarais, a blogger friend who ran the 50K at Pumpkin Holler.

Brian ran a 5:38, a very respectable time.

Brian has a great blog called BikeRunBeer and upon reading just a page or two, you'll agree that he is a great writer and photographer.

In his report, I am certain I sensed thoughts of a 100K attempt woven in the last lines of his telling. :-)

Link: http://bikerunbeer.blogspot.com/2012/10/pumpkin-holler-50k-102012.html

Pumpkin Holler 100 Race Report, by Russell Bennett (2012)

© 2012, Roman Broyles

Read a great Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd race report from my buddy Russell Bennett, the Iron Horse. Russell wrote his report on his first 100 mile run, and it was published by our friends at Endurance Buzz!! Congrats Russ, and thank you David Hanenburg for publishing Russell's report.

Tulsa, Oklahoma runner Russell Bennett decided to experience his first 100 mile adventure at the Pumpkin Holler 100 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Russell went on to earn a finish in 28:35:53!

Enjoy as he shares his journey.

Link: http://endurancebuzz.com/2012/10/29/pumpkin-holler-100-race-report-russell-bennett-smashes-the-pumpkin-in-first-100-miler/

Race report from a great ultrarunner and friend, Sherry Meador

© 2012, unknown

I set up my tent at Eagle Bluff resort, already starting to feel the nip of what would be a chilly night. This years event was booked as a family event and the tent next to mine fit that category. Kids were running and playing and I soon learned the adults both planned to run, although they would have to take turns...

Link: http://trailzombie100.blogspot.com/2012/10/race-report-from-great-ultrarunner-and.html

Inaugural Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd (2011)

© 2011, Ken Childress

The first running of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd is past, although I am still reeling from it. It's 2:30 early Tuesday morning, and I am sleep deprived (still) and worn out from the weekend and yesterdays chores of unpacking and tieing up loose ends, but the point of this post is not to give a rundown of how tired I am but rather to waste 20 minutes of your time whilst reading my race report. Thursday, Brian and I began packing, renting box trucks, motor homes, Dana had bought and packed supplies for seven aid stations, and we finally ended up at Eagle Bluff to camp for the night...

Link: http://trailzombie100.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-holler-hunnerd.html