I just received this E-mail from race director Ron Horn:
RoadRunners & TrailTramplers;

1) One of the biggest challenges in conquering Everest is stepping over the bodies (and gear) of those that have collapsed along the way and been too far gone to save and too remotely located to remove. Some of the stiffs are even used by climbing parties as "course markers". Such will NOT be the case in the Half Wit Half; many of the poor souls that you may be forced to step over CAN be saved, even by doing something as insignificant as dragging their body to the beer stop at 9.5 Miles. There are a number of things that one should try once in their lives that will "test" you but not leave you TOO maimed or incapacitated. The Half Wit is one of these; "assisted suicide" is not. NOW, the race for the remaining shirts is "on". We order few extra shirts, especially in the smaller sizes that can ONLY be worn by runners and Keebler elves. If you want to be SURE to get a smaller size shirt or any Tank top for this event, it is CRUCIAL that you log onto active.com before midnight of next Wed. The shirt is another classic; that comes from the totally unbiased individual who designed it. About 310 people of questionable DNA chains have signed up. The bluegrass band is booked, the Krank girls will be there, the horse's butt awards are on their way; don’t miss this one of a kind event!

What's the course like? Does anyone have a map of it?

Here you go Alaina.
http://www.pretzelcitysports.com/halfwithalf.html
Bill Lawrence runs it every year. He could probably give you a little brief on the course. There will be a lot of hills, some trail hazards, rocks, trees, probably not much water. If you have never done one of Ron Horn's races before you owe it to yourself! ...Jim Pate

I've done this race a few times. The course is brutally hilly, the footing is terrible and it's not a place to go to set a PR. It's a lot of fun if you're crazy.

I'll get back there again one of these days.

Ron Horn who is the race director is insane. Here were his instructions at the start one year, "Today is Mary's (name changed) birthday so we're going to give her a 30 second head start. As you pass her, wish her a happy birthday, and those of you who know her well can grab her ass."

There was an article about him this month in Trail Runner magazine.

Hey Alaina! Isn't your birthday August 12th?

TW, You're right about Ron Horn being insane. Does anyone know where I can get a copy of Trail Runner magazine? I would like to read that article about him.

Try www.trailrunnermag.com

It's only a one page article.

He also sends out a weekly newsletter that has a lot of goond information about running in the Reading area and some R-rated jokes.

http://www.pretzelcitysports.com/index.html

Thanks for the info. It sounds like my kinda race! I am planning on giving it a run. Sorry my b-day's not 'til Nov! ;)

Congrats on your team bike win last weekend.
Great picture of you and your team in the Times-Leader.

Hope to see you down there Alaina! I have around 12 from my running club car pooling over there and we will be tailgating after the race. Stop on by for some hopps based recovery beverage...Jim Pate

Alaina, definitely your kind of run. A true trail run with all the fixin's. Don't forget the "128 steps from hell" Hope to see you there!!!

I'm excited. I hope to make it. I am planning on the JD mile tomorrow, a hilly road bike race Sat and then the half on Sunday. Thanks MIke. Racing Nationals was very exciting. Definately the high point of my season. Now, I can focus on abusing myself with reckless abandon!