Fellowship of the Idiots 19.7-Mile Run

Welcome to the website for the 22nd Year of the Fellowship of the Idiot Run and Uwharrie Dash's Second One! We are thrilled to have you join us for this incredible event. While the run is free, we kindly ask for a donation to support the 300-400 participants. We want to express our gratitude to everyone who has made this event such a success. Get ready, because we have some exciting new features in store for you this year! Here are some important details about the event: 1) The 2024 Fellowship of the Idiot Run takes place three weeks before the Myrtle Beach Marathon and two weeks before the Ellerbe Marathon. It's the perfect opportunity for you to get those miles in during a fun and challenging training run. 2) We will be following the same format as last year. You can start your run anytime between 5:00 am and 5:45 am, but be sure to finish by 9:45 am. This format was a huge hit among participants last year. 3) To celebrate our 22nd year, we are offering free Idiot shirts to new runners! And don't forget to check out our awesome new premium apparel lineup, available for purchase at our Idiot Store! The Fellowship of the Idiot Run is a thrilling 19.7-Mile Run that takes you from the YMCA to the top of Morrow Mountain and back. This event is all about the experience and camaraderie, so there is no official timing. We greatly appreciate any donations and apparel purchases you make to support the event. This year, we're giving you a one-hour start window. You can begin your run anytime between 5:00 am and 6:00 am. Remember, the most important thing is to complete the run by 9:45 am. To help you plan your start time, we've provided a pace indicator: - If you run an 11:25 per mile pace, you can start as late as 6:00 am and still finish on time. - If you run a 12:57 per mile pace, you can start as late as 5:30 am and still finish on time. - If you run a 14:28 per mile pace, you will need to start at 5:00 am to complete the run. Essentially, if you're running faster than an 11:25 pace, you have the flexibility to start anytime between 5:00 am and 6:00 am. We carefully chose the date of this year's run to align with the Myrtle Beach Marathon, giving you a fantastic last training run before your own marathon adventure. If this will be your first Fellowship of the Idiot Run, get ready for some exciting rewards! Completing the run will earn you a Fellowship of the Idiot t-shirt and a suitable-for-framing certificate. Your name will also be added to the Fellowship of the Idiot wall at Vac & Dash. For those training for a half-marathon or looking for a shorter run, we have 12-mile and 14-mile options on the course. Simply turn around at the specified points to complete your chosen distance. Please note that only runners who complete the entire 19.7-Mile Idiot Run course will earn the t-shirt and certificate. To quench your thirst for awesome Idiot Run apparel, we've set up a new digital store where you can make your purchases. Just click the link below: \[FOTI APPAREL STORE\](https://stores.inksoft.com/foti/shop/home) On the day of the run, bathrooms and showers will be available at the YMCA starting at 7:00 am. We've got you covered with some amazing amenities, including: 1) A team of dedicated volunteers and fantastic support along the route 2) Witnessing a breathtaking sunrise and taking in the stunning view from the top of Morrow Mountain 3) Indulging in delicious snacks and food at the finish line 4) A complimentary Fellowship of the Idiot Run Ringer t-shirt for first-time Idiots. We guarantee it will become one of your favorite shirts! 5) A certificate certifying your lunacy, perfect for framing and showing off to your friends and family If you're wondering about packet pick-up, here are the details: - Thursday: 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm - Friday: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm Both at Uwharrie Dash, located at 154 S. First St. Albemarle, NC 28001. - Saturday Morning: 4:30 am at the Stanly County Family YMCA Pavilion, 427 N. First Street Albemarle, NC 28001. The Pavilion is the building in the YMCA Park next to the playground, across the street from the YMCA. Don't worry about staying hydrated and fueled during the run. We have aid stations set up at various mile markers along the course, offering water, Gatorade, and Gu's. You can expect to find aid stations at mile markers 2.6, 4.2, 6.0, 8.2, 9.81, 9.75, 12.0, 13.5, 15.5, 17.0, and 18.0. At each aid station, we'll have a container for you to drop off any clothing or items you no longer need. We'll make sure to transport those items to the finish line, so you can retrieve them later. For any assistance you may need during the run, keep an eye out for the Stanly County Amateur Radio Club. They will be stationed along the course and are there to help you if needed. Now, let's take a moment to appreciate the history behind the Idiot Run. It all began in the winter of 2003 when a group of friends, including Peter Asciutto, Derek Blalock, Joe Korzelius, Ryan Owens, Craig Gunkle, Lee Allen, and Larry Hyde, were training for marathons. They decided to embark on a run from the Stanly County Family YMCA to the top of Morrow Mountain and back. The adventure began at 5:00 am with a freezing temperature of 20 degrees. Their incredible journey caught the attention of the local newspaper, which ran an article about their feat. During a massage session, Renee Asciutto, the wife of Peter, revealed that her husband was one of the "Idiots" who ran to the top of Morrow Mountain and back in freezing temperatures. And just like that, the Fellowship of the Idiots was born. We will be updating the Idiot Store soon, so keep an eye out for some fantastic merchandise! We can't wait to see you there, so let's go idiots! If you have any questions, feel free to call Uwharrie Dash at 704-983-3274 or email support@udashin.com.