One and Done 24 Hours of Brady's RunThe most difficult 24 hour race we have done...and it was awesome.
September 1 and 2, 2018
Beaver Falls (just outside Pittsburgh), PA
Joël 1st solo male, Jess 1st solo female
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This race was advertised as being one of the most difficult 24 hour races out there. It lived up to that reputation. Over the years, Joël and I have done 24 hour races throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. 24 Hours of Brady's Run was both mentally but mostly physically more challenging than any other 24 hour race we have done. In fact, both Joël and I both agree it was probably one of, if not THE, most challenging race we have EVER done (over adventure races, Ironman triathlons, long distance swims, kayak races, stage road and mountain bike races, and long distance to runs...just to name a few of the endurance events we have done over the years).
24 Hours of Brady's Run was the same location and incorporated the same trails as the long standing 6 Hours of Brady's Run. As the 6th anniversary of the 6 hour race, the race director decided to hold a 12 and 24 hour race. The Nankmans are glad that he did! Sure, the course was tough, really tough. But it was an amazing experience. Friendly and supportive fellow racers and race staff, tasty and filling post race food, cool T-shirts and race swag, shower and bathrooms on site, a great race photographer, and unique awards...overall just an awesome vibe to this event.
Having competed in the 6 hour event in the past, and knowing the course was tough for that race, Joël and I knew what we were in store for. The 24 hour race measured at just about 12 miles per lap, around 1700 feet of elevation gain per lap, and tested riders skills and determination from start to finish. There was a creek crossing. A few really big climbs; one was a hike-a-bike every time; some of the others became hike-a-bikes for the last few laps. Overall technically challenging from start to finish; there was one super gnarly rock garden that sent me over the bars, Joël rode it well numerous times. Some of the downhills were loose and sketchy. To summarize, there was nowhere on this course in which one could relax. It was lap after lap of mental and physical anguish. And Joël and I just kept doing it over and over again! In the end, Joël subjected himself to 12 laps of torture, myself 11 laps. Do the math- that is upwards to 141 miles and just over 20,000 feet of climbing.
So our personal experience of this race? We just kept riding our bikes. That is really what it comes down to. Ride a lap then stop for a few minutes to eat, switch out bottles, apply chain lube, and be on our way. I stopped twice during the race to let Cliff out to pee. Joël stopped a few times during the night to put more fuel in the generator. I changed clothing once; Joël changed twice. And yes, each of us did sleep for a bit, just over an hour around 5am. We we lucky that we were able to ride a good portion of the race together. Just after the first night lap Joël caught me; he was actually lapping me. By that point we each had a substantial lead and decided that in the interest in safety and mental stability it would be best to ride together. So we rode together for about 11 hours, even crossing the finish line together on our final lap. We came across the line with a kiss. As a married couple Joël and I wouldn't want anything more than to spend our time together doing crazy things like this!
Yes, this was by far the most difficult 24 hour race we have ever done. But it was amazing. The course was challenging but fun, it made us want to be out there to both challenge ourselves and enjoy time on the bike. All of the other racers were supportive and friendly; there was not a night lap that went by where racers were not up and about in the pit area cheering. Out on the course racers always gave a friendly hello and words of encouragement; just an amazing atmosphere amongst fellow riders. The race director and volunteers were all there to make sure racers had a good time and enjoy the event. There was a super friendly race photographer, Mike Briggs, who was all over the place taking amazing action photos. Post race pizza was supplied, and the race director saved some for us knowing we would be out there racing until the end (which you don't know how much that means to us, thank you!). We came away from the race with great race T-shirts as race swag. The race awards were the best; clocks with the race logo on it (which is on display in our dining room), bottles and tool kits, and a cash pay-out. Joël and I don't race for the prizes, we do it because it's what we enjoy and we want to push our limits, but awesome race awards make it that much more amazing.
24 Hours of Brady's Run had everything a top-notch race should- friendly fellow racers, supportive staff and volunteers, amazing race swag and awards, fun and challenging course. This was such a great race, one that we will remember and talk about forever. And if a 24 hour option is offered in the future; you bet we will recommend it and be there for another round of torture...oh, I mean fun.
Read more about the race on the Liv Cycling website/Facebook race recap:
https://www.liv-cycling.com/us/news/nankman-wins-one-and-done-24-hours-of-brady-s-run/23231
Thanks to Saucon Valley Bikes for keeping our bikes going despite all we put them through. In addition, Liv Cycling gear, equipment, and my Pique Advanced have been through a lot this year with all the training and racing, thanks to Liv for the support.
- words by Jess
- photos by the Nankmans and Mike Briggs
- video by Joël