Mo’ Bell

I ran the Mo’ Bell 12 hour race October 14th, 2023 with a goal of reaching 50 miles.

The race is held at Montgomery Bell State Park in one of their campgrounds and connecting trails. The park is in Burns, Tennessee and was only a short drive for me.

The race was organized by Awesomesauce Events and the race director was the best. They have done this race for a number of years as well as other races in Tennessee.

Two of my daughters were going to run the 10k Saturday morning, however, one was in a boot and the other had a high school race.

Well, the daughter in the boot came along to volunteer and help crew her father.

We arrived Friday in time to check in and organize our cabin. In the process of checking in, I picked up my bib and swag. I even bumped into an old Ragnar relay teammate from 2012. After getting organized for the next morning my daughter and I joined my running group, the Scalawags for dinner at a local favorite.

Saturday morning was here before I knew it and I was up eating breakfast and putting the finishing touches on the race no plans.

The 12 hour race was a 3 mile trail and/or a 1 mile road loop. You could mix them however you chose. My goal was 50 miles and I was shooting for all trail.

Everyone started together and about 50 of us headed toward the trail. We had 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon and 50k all with us. Based on where I landed in the group, my first loop was almost my slowest. As we ran, I typed directions into my phone with landmarks so I would not get lost. The Scalawags set up a tent between the trail and aid station, so I had a place to refuel or stop between laps. After you finished a trail loop, you grabbed a clothes pin, ran to the aid station, and pinned it to your clothes line. Each time I finished a loop, I got to see my daughter administering first aid to someone that had chaffing, or bee stings, blisters or right muscles. I tried to high five her each lap and keep going. At the very beginning of the race she did send a group text out stating I had 10 1/2 hours to go. . .

I was able to run several laps with my Scalawag friends but the best laps were a trail loop with my youngest and a road loop with my daughter while she wore her boot. I enjoyed hearing many life stories and journeys as many other runners were completing more than just a few laps.

When I finished my 50 miles I came to check in and the race director informed me that I signed up for the 12 hour race and had 15 minutes left. So I managed an additional 1 and finally was able to call it a day.

The next day my daughter went to church and it was my turn to volunteer. I elected to cheer for all the runners as they did their lap checkin. Well a runner had gotten lost on the trail and asked for directions so I changed clothes and took him back on the trail.

Some of the statistics from the race include:

Moving time was 10 hours 45 minutes of the 12 hour time limit. A few bathroom breaks, some time at the aid station and some time for pictures.

Actual distance was 51.36 miles which included 16 trail loops and some mileage on the road loop.

5,715 feet of elevation gained.

My average pace was 12:33 with my fastest mile of 8:23 and slowest mile of 18:45.

6,128 calories burned

Two pairs of shoes.