In our May 2010 issue, our story on relay races left out the Hoodoo 500. Info on the Hoodoo is below.
HOODOO 500: August 28-30, 2010
Route: A loop course that starts in St. George and travels through Hurricane, Kanab, Tropic, Escalante, Torrey, Panguitch, Cedar Breaks, Cedar City, New Castle, Enterprise and back to St. George. Every mile is beautiful and unique.
Distance: 519 miles
Leg Lengths: Race strategy is 100% decided by the team. Generally speaking, however, the fastest teams take 20-30 minute pulls per rider. Two racers rotate pulls for 2-3 hours then rest while the other two racers rotate. Racers and/or their crew must check in at each of 5 time stations along the route.
Number of legs per rider: Unlimited. Decided by the team.
Exchanges: Other than in designated no-support zones, racers may exchange anywhere on the route where there is a large enough pullout to park the support vehicle.
Team Composition: 2-person and 4-person teams may be men, women, or any combination of men and women. However, note that a 4-person team with 3 men and 1 woman is considered a men’s team and not a mixed team.
Support: Racers provide their own race food and hydration.
Website: www.hoodoo500.com
Race founders Deborah and Brian Bowling had this to say about the event. “Now in our fourth year, the Hoodoo 500 is the premier ultramarathon event, drawing racers from all over the world. We provide a first-class, unforgettable experience to the racers, from check-in through the post-race celebration banquet! While the Hoodoo 500 has the reputation of being the toughest 500-mile solo race in the world, our goal is to reach out to the broader cycling community and let everyone know that the Hoodoo 500 is an awesome relay team race which is not only a ton of fun, but provides an epic challenge and a great opportunity for friends to share a rewarding, one-of-a-kind team-building experience. The Hoodoo 500, and all Planet Ultra events, benefits the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
