What a race! Why did it take me 18 years to finally go to David
Horton's jewel?
I can only answer with excuses like it's too far away or I didn't have
the plane fare or some other cop-out. I should have listened more
closely to all my ultra-junkie friends who've raved about this race
throughout the years and taken their advice sooner.  Well, that's
history now because I just attended one of the finest ultra productions
in my collection of 120 ultras completed now, the Mountain Masochist 50
Mile Trail Run.
   There are many factors that go into all the details that make this
race such a success.
David Horton has managed to pull them all together into an event that,
like many other race directors in the country, produces an event that is
a classic. A race that draws many repeat entrants each year & also
attracts many of our most talented ultra athletes. He has the best
sponsors and as competent a support staff of any race I've attended in
my 22 years of running these things.
   I would urge any ultrarunner who may have considered running this
race & decided to put it off as I did for so many years to carefully
re-examine their priorities. After all, we attend 100 mile races all
over the country, why not 50 milers & all the other distances we run as
well? Unlike marathoners for example, in our chosen sport we are
privileged to have the choice of a variety of distances to run.  I have
certainly been guilty of not traveling across the country just to run a
50K. I've often made the excuse that if I'm going to make that big a
commitment it's got to be a 100 miler. All that got me was missing
out.  I know you're thinking about expenses & time off work etc.  I have
come to the realization that one of the greatest pleasures that can be
derived from our sport is experiencing the extraordinary people & places
affiliated with it. It doesn't matter where the race is or how big or
popular it is. What really matters is going & running & getting to know
more of our wonderful family & more of our spectacular country. If it
were not for ultrarunning there are so many of you I would have never
met & so many places I  certainly would never have seen.
   Go to a race that you've been putting off for one reason or another.
You just might meet a friend like David Horton or run in a venue like
you've never seen before!  I'm glad I did. Now, that's my excuses to do
so.

Kent Holder