McKenzie Welcomes Vol State 500k Runners

McKENZIE (July 11-13) — Participants in the Last Annual Vol State Road Race made their way through downtown McKenzie last week.
Despite the “last” in the name, the grueling event is held each year, with runners beginning a 500k (314 mile) journey from Dorena Landing, Missouri to Castle Rock, Georgia on Thursday morning. They have ten days to complete the course.
This year, 121 took the first steps, and as of Monday morning, 85 remained on the course, 34 had dropped out and two had completed the monumental feat.
For several years, local enthusiasts have played the role of “road angels,” setting up an aid station at the Farmers Market to provide runners with some essentials and temporary comforts such as water and gatorade, bananas and other light snacks, first aid supplies and cots for sleeping. Contributing to this year’s effort were Al Everett, Chris Nelson, Jennifer Nelson, Todd Walker and Richard Ozment.
The quickest of the quick begin arriving in McKenzie on Thursday afternoon, with the bulk of runners passing through on Friday and stragglers (at risk of being paced out of the race) trickling in early Saturday.
Arriving at the oasis just minutes apart on Friday afternoon were Frederick F. Davis III and Jason Postlethwait.
Davis, 76, of Ohio, has a full dozen attempts to his name with a whopping six finishes. Postlethwait, 48, of Huntingdon, is making his first attempt.
Davis is a “screwed” runner, meaning his only aid is what he carries and what he finds along the route. His thirteenth attempt would not yield a seventh finish as he dropped out in Huntingdon early Saturday.
Postlethwait is running “crewed,” with help along the way from his wife following in a vehicle. He told The Banner he was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed Friday afternoon, a luxury afforded to anyone who happens to live close enough to the route. As of Monday morning, he was still in the race, having traveled 140 miles and approaching Hohenwald.