This is the first installment in a series from Mary Arnold documenting her attempt to tackle one of the most difficult athletic endeavors on the planet. Over the coming months, we will follow along as she prepares and trains for one of the most intimidating challenges of her running career.
“The Grand Canyon takes a long time to FLY over,” huffs my running partner, “I cannot imagine how long it takes to run across. Why are you doing this again?”
Why, indeed, would a seemingly sane adult with a mortgage, job and other assorted responsibilities, plan a trip that included crossing one of the 7 wonders of the world on foot?
The double canyon crossing, known in ultrarunning circles as Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim, is an audacious trek: over 40 miles, with thousands of feet in elevation gain and loss and extremely unpredictable weather. Not to mention the fact that the trip has to be fully self-supported (no aide stations, no med tents, no crowds). Every year a few thousand runners and hikers attempt it, and many have found themselves being transported back by rescue teams. Sadly, others haven’t been that lucky.
This is no race: it’s a right of passage; a running road trip across one of the most amazing landscapes in the world. When I put my running partner’s query to our team, the best answer came from Dave: “I’ve heard it’s pretty and if we are going for a run early on a Wednesday, it might as well be somewhere pretty.”
So we bought our plane tickets and booked our hotel.
Our adventure will start before dawn on April 11.
Comments
While I admire your cojones Mary, I’m scratching my head over this one. I really prefer my fellow Travlete contributors to remain ALIVE.
I read about R2R2R in the Oct 2011 issue of Runner’s World. I get that it’s a bucket list item and an ultimate challenge, and I know you are very experienced and have toughed out some amazing running feats. But I think we’d be doing a disservice to our followers to not be blunt about the dangers of taking this on. It’s borderline nuts, and should only be attempted by extremely fit, well prepared athletes.
In 2010, there were 286 search and rescue missions performed in the Grand Canyon National Park. 60-80 of those were for runners attempting R2R or R2R2R.
I wish you well, but not without a hefty dose of concern for your safety and hope that once you accomplish the first half, rim-to-rim, you’ll stop if there’s any reason you shouldn’t attempt the return trip.
Looking forward to following the adventure!
I’m not sure stopping after R2R is an option at the time of year we are doing this. There is a very good chance that we’ll get to the North Rim and we’ll find several feet of snow. During the second week of April the North Rim will most likely be closed to traffic. And the run will be pretty…
Looking forward to hearing all about it, as I am going (I think) in October with the larger group.