Westbrook Running

As of the last check-in until the finish time, Westbrook has 301 miles in Kimball. 13 MILES TO THE ROCK! The rock, the finish, is pictured above. The runners run to the rock, about where the stop sign is in the photo, and have to get down to kiss the rock. It is FANTASTIC that they have added the railing. In the past runners have stumbled and almost fallen off the edge. Below is the other side of the rock where said runners would have fallen off…

Westbrook accidentally called home and was overheard talking to someone about how he has been hallucinating, seeing and talking to people who aren’t there. The call was disconnected and he soon after intentionally called and spoke to his wife. He reported that he has had “hardly anything today,” in reference to food. He was at McDonald’s during the call so maybe that meal will sustain him until the finish. Wish him luck to get up Sand Mountain and through the fields to the elusive finish.

Beginning the last full day, Westbrook has 285 miles and is past Tracy City. 90.8% complete – 29 MILES REMAINING!!

Into the evening, Westbrook has progressed some runners, however he remains 59th out of 60 screwed competitors. He has reached Monteagle with 274 miles. ONLY 40 MILES TO GO TO THE FINISH!!! Unfortunately within those 40 miles is having to conquer Sand Mountain.

Above is a picture of Westbrook with a fellow Vol-Stater. Jeff commented, “I think we look more like those 2 old guys from the Muppets…than 2 ‘seasoned’ athletes. Richard Westbrook…thanks for sharing a couple miles with me.”

Also, I always have people ask “how is he doing?” and “where does he sleep out there?” Well, none of these are Richard, but here are some examples of where and how the screwed runners sleep…

After all those miles in the extreme heat, rain, traffic, etc. no judgement here. Sleep whenever and however you can!

This morning has found Richard in Hillsboro with 258 miles. He is 59th out of 60 screwed runners. All he wants is to finish. He was chatting with BJ while they were together last night. Westbrook took a short break to use the restroom, down a burger and a drink while BJ moved on ahead. He put on his headlight, although wrapped on his wrist, and continued the race.

For last night’s check-in, Westbrook was in Manchester with 249 miles completed. He was carrying on with BJ and using his walking stick to move forward. He was hungry the night before and made it to a Sonic just after they closed. Too tired to move, a man came out and told him “it didn’t matter if they were closed, what did he want?”. He asked for a burger, but those being frozen, the nice man brought out a couple hotdogs and corn dogs – 6 in total I believe. Westbrook ate them all and reported he was unable to run due to being too full. He began walking the course again. Thank you greatly to the Sonic man in Shelbyville! We truly appreciate you.

NOW for a more accurate update…

106 runners total started the race. 85 of those are screwed, without any support. 21 are crewed. Currently, 28 competitors have quit. Per this check-in, 168 hours, or 7 days Richard Westbrook is past Wartrace with 236 miles. Again, since we are only looking at the screwed division, out of the 85 that began the race, 23 have dropped out. With 62 unsupported runners remaining, Westbrook is in 55th place. He remains ahead of Tortoise and further ahead of Oprah. To better explain the references of Tortoise and Oprah, Michael Nicolaides does a good job on the facebook race page: “This is pretty much it. So while Oprah is a mechanical imaginary robot that never slows down, tortoise is an imaginary human who starts faster and slows down each day, but still gets to the rock just under the cutoff.” Tortoise makes it just under the cutoff, while Oprah is the slowest and finishes in exactly 10 days time.

Yesterday afternoon, with 99 miles remaining (WOO-HOO, LESS THAN 100 MILES TO GO!!!), Westbrook called home and reported he was forced to take a 2 hour break in a cafe from the race managers. Jan, one who drives the course and checks on the runners was filming him staggering into the road and sending the video to the manager to determine his condition. She told Westbrook if he didn’t rest for 2 hours and continued as he was, she would pull him from the race. Sounding “a little bummed” he complied and went to the cafe.

Another story from the long, dark road somewhere in Tennessee: Richard sent a photo to Mom of his newly acquired wound. Westbrook was trudging along the roadside at night and trying to walk straight, while leaning on an old mop stick he was given from a store, for support. “A car slowed down, and he was thinking people [were]encouraging, which happens a lot. But he saw a teenager about to throw something. He ducked, but it hit him on the edge of his left eye. He got to the next aid station, and they were “OMG”. Cleaned it up for him; was pretty bloody. Well, I’ll keep you posted. Whisper a prayer.”

In the large scheme of things, I understand this is not a bad wound, however the head bleeds profusely. Any closer though, it could have been in his eye and then who knows the outcome. NO ONE needs to throw anything out of their car window, especially aimed at someone, even more so, a 74 year old man walking with a cane alone on the roadside at night. People did drive along the course searching for the vehicle he described. Local support people and race volunteers were angry and said if they discover who it was, punishment will ensue. I would have him arrested, personally. May sound harsh to some, but people like that should not be allowed in cars if they are going to trash the area or try to injure someone. Teach him a valuable lesson!

Not much further to travel and hopefully it will remain injury free! Send him and all the others still out there your well wishes and prayers. Stay with us until the end!!

~ Season

Over halfway now, only 100 miles to go, Westbrook has 214 miles behind him and is past Wheel. 28 runners have quit with Richard in 61st place overall. He is the second eldest in the race, tied with another male, both 74 years old. There are 3 others ages 72 and 73, behind Richard, with one of them having already dropped out of the race.

A couple of photos below of different places along the course where “Road Angels” have put out supplies to help the runners

More updates to follow!!!

Dad called again and let us know how the night went at the motel. After Mom told him to order pizza since no other restaurants were open, the manager said “yes, they deliver here.” We were worried he wouldn’t stay awake long enough for the delivery. He called and placed an order then was informed they don’t, in fact, deliver that late at night. “TIRED AS A MOTHER…..” he checked with the manager again and was told the closest place is Sonic. He walked a good ways for food to Sonic and back to the motel to sleep.

The following morning he was on the road again. He reported his leaning was not so bad anymore; and he was moving right along. Mom said he sounded good, just tired. He as able to get more food along the way as well. So happy to hear that news. Through 120 hours, or 5 days – halfway through the 10 day limit, Westbrook reached The Nutt House with 187 miles. He remains in 57th overall. The total number of those who have quit has reached 26.