What’s the trail surface of the Wildflower run like? i.e. would you wear a cross country racing flat, regular trainer, or lightweight trainer? barefoot?
Thanks.
mostly asphalt, but there is a 3 or 4 mile stretch on dirt trails with some loose sections.
I’m wearing my normal HIM race shoes (DS trainers)
Something you don’t mind getting dirty! There’s dirt, dust, foxtails, etc… Last year I wore my regular all surface running shoes, Mizuno Wave Riders. They were caked in dirt afterward but felt fine. The trails are not very sheltered from the sun/heat and there is alot of loose dry stuff out there. Wear a hat and SUNSCREEN!!! Socks are advisable as well.
I ran the entire long course two weeks ago. They just ran a tractor mounted grater over the section from mile 1.5 to 4.5 the day before and it was pretty nice to run on. It did rain pretty hard the next day, but hopefully that just helped pack it down. It’s hard enough pack you could do it in your normal shoes with no problems.
Dave
Normal racing flats for a 70.3 (that’s lightweight trainers for most folks). It’s mostly asphalt, with some hardpack dirt trails that start at mile 3 and go to about mile 7. Traction is not an issue.
As the previous poster mentioned, your shoes will be filthy and have some chiggers stuck to them by the end. Only run barefoot if you’re in my AG ;P.
steppin’ it up to the ever competitive 30-34, though it doesn’t seem to get slower for another 40 years or so…
thanks for the tips. sounds less gnarly than i imagined.
X2 what everyone else said - some asphalt, some hard pack. Where whatever you would normally wear for a 1/2 mary, and know they’re gonna be dirty.