Carnahan Creek Recreation Area - Tuttle Creek Lake

Manhattan, Kansas

8:00 am

No entry fee

What is a Fat Ass race?

A little more than 20-years ago, a California runner named Joe Oakes had the idea of creating a low-key 50K race to be held around the Christmas holidays. Affectionately referred to as a Fat Ass race, Oakes’ idea has spread from coast to coast and around the world. Fat Ass races have no entry fee, limited aid, no awards, no t-shirts, no whining, and no wimps.

The Race

Both races begin and finish at the Carnahan Creek Recreation Area. The course is 100% off road on single track trail along the banks of Tuttle Creek Lake. Both the 25K and 50K are out and back and neither course is certified (the distance is estimated based on Corps of Engineers and Kansas Trail Association maps). Directions to Carnahan Creek Recreation Area: From Manhattan- North on 24 Hwy (Tuttle Creek Blvd), right on 13 Hwy, approximately 4 miles to Carnahan Road, right on Carnahan Road, approximately 4 miles to Park Road, left on Park Road and follow to camp ground.

10-hour cut-off for both races. Aid will be limited. The weather may be harsh so plan accordingly!

Registration and packet pickup will begin at 7:00 at the Carnahan Creek Recreation Area camp ground. A post-race defrosting and party will be held after the race at a time and location to be determined.

Each runner must complete an entry form and sign a waiver in order to compete. Although the race is free, early registration is encouraged!

Race results will be posted at www.flinthillsharriers.com

For more information, contact Mark Crisman at 785-537-6214 or crismanm@yahoo.com .

Arne Richards Fat Ass 25K and 50K

Mail to: Mark Crisman 2029 Estella Manhattan Kansas 66503

Name: __________________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: ____________

Phone: __________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________

Distance (circle one): 25K 50K

Gender (circle one): M F Age on 12/29/02 ________________

You must read and sign the waiver on the reverse of this form

Who was Arne Richards?

Arne Richards was the patriarch of Manhattan distance running. He encouraged Bob Anderson, while he was a student at K-State, to pursue his dream of a publication dedicated to runners when nobody else would. That publication evolved into Runner’s World. Arne mentored a young Joe Henderson and was instrumental in connecting him with Bob Anderson.

Arne lived and breathed running. He served as AAU and RRCA officers when nobody else would. He never owned a car. He would hitch a ride or take the bus to a race. Failing those options, he’d bike or run, usually adding to his reputation for being late to the starting line. Although Arne was a fierce competitor, he always took the time to encourage others. He had a particular soft spot for young runners.

Arne had a notorious reputation as a race director. Legend has it that he considered any distance less than 20K to be a “fun run”. According to another yarn, Arne once handed the starting pistol to a novice volunteer, explaining that he was going to run in the race and informing the puzzled volunteer that he was to start the race and keep track of the runners as they came in. Another tale claims that Arne, having informed the field that the first runner across the finish line was in charge of results, laid the stopwatch near the finish line and jumped into the race. Never one for precision, distances for Arne’s races were “nearly” and “almost”.

Arne Richards died of heart failure during a run on March 26, 1979. He was 46.

I’d like to think that Arne would approve of the Fat Ass concept. I hope this race serves in some small way to keep alive the memory of someone who was vital to the Manhattan running scene.

WAIVER

I know that running in a race is a potentially hazardous activity. I should not enter and run unless I am medically able and properly trained to run the distances of the event. I agree to abide by any decision of a race official relative to safely completing the run. I understand that the weather conditions may be cold and there is a danger of hypothermia and other cold-related injuries or even death. I assume all risks associated with running in this event including, but not limited to: falls, contact with other participants, the effect of the weather, including freezing temperatures, snow and ice the conditions of the course, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts, and in consideration of your acceptance of my application for the race, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the Flint Hills Harriers Running Club, the City of Manhattan, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims and liabilities of any kind arising from my participation in this race even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of persons named in this waiver. I grant permission to all the foregoing to use any photographs, motion pictures or any other recording of these events for any legitimate purpose.

Signature_______________________________________________ Date __________________

Parent’s signature if under 18