LOCALadk Magazine
Issue link: https://localadkmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1545871
Left: A strong sense of community per vades the Wakely Dam Ultra. Right: Racers step off the shuttle at the start of the course. Below: The author and friends at the finish line. LOCALadk 15 lege of forgetting my worries for a few hours. The race provided me with a perfect route to experience the pure simplicity of running. Nothing distracted from the movement and the beautiful woods I got to run through. I came back to the race two years later in a much dif- ferent place in life. In those two years I met many oth- ers who ran up mountains after work and spent their weekends in the woods. I discovered a lifestyle I never knew existed beforehand and grew into the trail run- ning community in the Adirondacks. Many of my friends were planning on running the 2025 Wakely. The community was central to why I decid- ed to race again. I initially didn't sign up because I was concerned about my fitness, but hearing my friends' ex- citement grow gave me the inspiration I needed. While I missed the February sign up, a friend's unfortunate injury gave me an opening. This race went differently than my first one. From the start line, I found myself in a group of four, two friends and two runners I didn't know, who were set on the same pace. While we separated soon after, we spent the next few miles yoyo-ing. I enjoyed the camarade- rie of sharing the race with others: every time I passed someone or was passed, we always exchanged support and encouragement. At the finish line, I heard that two of my friends de- cided against racing for the win and instead ran the last few miles together, crossing the line at nearly the same time. I spent a while after the race trading stories with the other finishers; talking about the hornet nest we either encountered or were fortunate enough to miss, the ankles sprained or nearly sprained, and the satisfac- tion of another great race. Ultra running by its very nature, seems like a solitary endeavor. A long race through the wilderness where of- ten the toughest competition is keeping your own body moving. However, the more I run, the better I appreci- ate the communal aspect of running. Races are times when the shared passion of the other participants fills you up with energy. My experiences only just begin to scratch the surface of the strong community that makes Wakely so special. Wakely Dam brings out all the reasons I fell in love with ultra trail running: the simplicity of just moving forward and the people I get to do that with. It may not have fancy frills, a complicated points system or global recognition, but it does have a truly wild section of for- est and a community of passionate runners — all the ingredients for a great race. t