A Race for the Ages

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

On the Thursday before Labor Day Weekend of 2025, ultramarathoners will once again descend on Fred Deadman Park in Manchester, Tennessee. Led by a contingent of wheezing geezers, over a hundred of America’s finest foot warriors will circle the famed Deadman Mile for days on end come September 2025 culminating in the grand finish and banquet at noon on Monday, Sept 1.

🏆 Race Format

• Age Categories: All runners 41 and over will be allotted a number of hours equal to those hard-earned years of age in which to accumulate as many miles as possible.
• Competitive Edge: In contrast to most ultras, where the old guys must settle for a place at the rear, if they can make the time limit at all, the ARFTA is dominated by the super veterans of the sport.
• A Record: In 2019, 34 participants 70 years old and over completed over 100 miles and 1 participant, 74 years old completed 230 miles!
• Spirit of Competition: The footspeed may have diminished with the passing of the years, but the fires of competition still burn bright.

📖 Memorable Moments

Of course it is not the competition which has made this event an instant classic. It is the stories. In the perfect setting of a one mile loop through the park, today’s ultrarunners have the opportunity to spend time with the legends and heroes of the long ago past of the sport. And the old guys and gals have the opportunity to rekindle old friendships (and rivalries) and to rehash the old days.

🍽️ Race Amenities

• Ice Availability: Ice is provided for purchase at the ICE HOUSE on the premises for $3.00 per bag.
• Hot Meals: Hot meals served every 6 hours (this is not aid station food, but fine southern cuisine catered by the local Cracker Barrel).
• Meal Plans: Additional meal plans may be purchased for crew members.
• Facilities: There are real indoor bathrooms located on the course (the value of which cannot be overstated in a multiday run!).

🛌 Accommodations

Accommodations are available at a full range of motels within 1 mile of the park, for crews or runners wishing to sleep in a “real bed.” Ample camping is available on site, with prime camping spots situated around the Deadman Mile.

🚐 Parking & Camping

This is a small park with limited parking. The course is in the parking lot as well as through the park. We have the pavilions reserved but not the whole park itself. Locals come enjoy the park throughout the event. Baseball and tennis is also going on at the same time.

🤝 Community Engagement

There is a facebook group for the ARFTA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1443235495936999/

🌟 Special Considerations

Any runners over 70 years of age with financial limitations precluding their entry should e-mail me, so that we can work something out. This is your day(s) in the sun, and we want to see you here! Last year we had 38 starters the age of 70 and older. I think that may be a record!

📅 Event Details

The race takes place on 2025-08-28 at 101-166 Wilson St, Manchester, TN. For more information, visit the race page: A Race for the Ages.