Anyone who hasn't experienced the ultrarunning world might consider checking out the Way Too Cool 50k, which begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Cool Fire Station.
The field is full, but simply watching an ultrarunning event can be an experience.
The camaraderie in this sport is unrivaled. Frontrunners hang around to cheer on those in the middle and back of the pack, cooperation is as important as competition and there's a casual, friendly atmosphere.
"It is low key," said Janet Pucci, a 60-year-old business owner from Newcastle who plans to run in her 20th Cool race Saturday.
"Just realizing you can do it, it's fun."
Expect the Cool winner to finish in around 3 1/2 hours. The last finisher will likely come in about five hours later.
The Cool course is considered ideal for first-timers. But there are two steep hills that remind runners they're in a trail race, not a road one.
"You get out on the trails and you discover what a marathon considers a hill is just a rise," Pucci said.
"Cool doesn't have a lot of long, long hard climbs ... For the beginning trail runner, it's very doable."
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