Dutchmans Trail Delight Run - Report

Tim and Fred post run and no worse for the wear!

Dutchmans Trail Delight Run - Report

Tim Long

This is another installment of the fun runs/hikes the Native Trail Gods organize. There are mileage options to encourage all abilities from short hikes to strenuous long runs.

“Three and a half hours” was my answer when asked how long it would take me to run the 24 mile (out and back) Dutchman Trail in the Uwharrie National Forest. I had run 24 miles, and had run the Uwharrie trail, so I thought I knew what I was talking about. Little did I know that the Dutchman trail is a trail designed and built by the devil and it resides in Hell. Short story: I completely underestimated this run. The Dutchman Trail makes the Uwharrie Trail seem like a pathway in Central Park.

I showed up late at 10:15AM. Fred, Ernie, and Ronnie were there and said that Frank, Donna, and Shashi had already headed out for the run. After getting my shoes on and loading up the two water bottles and food, I was off. Ernie and Ronnie are of similar pace, so they settled in while Fred and I ran on ahead. The weather is worth pointing out. It was a perfect day with clear skies and highs in the low 60s.

The trail is runable for the first four miles. Then the climbs and descents begin. These would be fine except they are littered with rocks, roots, and leaves covering the ankle twisting obstacles. Fred’s not used to running really long distances, so he was trying to run up every incline, no matter the steepness. I pointed out that we were in the first hour of a multiple hour run and that he may want to save a little energy for later. Fred also seems to function solely on air. He can run far, run fast, and run hard without ever seeming to ingest water or nutrition. For example, on this particular run, water consumption should have been approximately 120 ounces (that’s six water bottles). Fred started off with these tiny containers, both of which added up to 14 ounces. I wasn’t much better, but my two handheld bottles at least added up to 40 ounces. I only hoped that we both had enough food. Can anyone say “Donner Party”?

We caught and passed Frank and Donna, both of whom I’d never met before. Then we caught Shashi, and were then on our own. We were taking turns at the front keeping the pace reasonable. The trail got so unbelievably difficult that I was thankful there were two of us to spot the right direction. Knowing myself, I’m certain I’d still be out there right now wandering around.

40 minutes after turning around and at about 16 miles, we caught Ernie and Ronnie, who had decided to turn around when we met them. They had taken three hours to cover eight miles, which is a testament to the difficulty of the trail.

Fred started fading from dehydration and fatigue, and told me to stop waiting for him. Feeling really good, I poured it on for the last hour, finishing in 4 hours 20 mins. I did a “cool down” run of two miles on the rugged dirt road there (mostly just to enjoy some level ground for a few minutes). By the time I got back, Fred had finished and was just sort of sitting there propped up against a tree at the end of the trail. We had some cookies, pretzels, Clif Bars, and drinks. It had been a full day and one of the best runs that I won’t forget.

Ernie called me later to let me know he and Ronnie finished and were safe. Frank and Donna had already returned to the cars before us and left (I bet they’re likely ticked off at me because the trail is so difficult to follow). Once again, I have no idea whether Shashi made it out alive.

My final stats:

26 miles / 4 hours 36 mins / on the trail, 2:15 going out and 2:05 on the return trip.

Only ate 430 calories during run (dumb) and drank 20 oz plain water, 20 oz with NUUN electrolytes.

As I walk the trail of life
in the fear of the wind and rain
grant O Great Spirit
that I may always walk like a man.

-Cherokee prayer