Tunnel Hill 100: under 24 hours on my birthday

The race started in 9 hours, and it was going to be a cold one: a high of 40 and a low of 20, with snow in the forecast.

Naresh in a fleece jacket under a "Tunnel Hill 100, 50 mile run, Marathon" banner on a gravel trail — Race starts in 9 hours!

After several years of being virtual friends, we finally got to meet the legend, Camille! She was going for the world record for the 50-mile distance. I met Connor at the packet pickup too, her coach and partner. His presentation during the packet pickup was amazing. Sweet Irish guy!

The race

It was a wet, cold and snowy start to the Tunnel Hill 100.

Naresh running in a beanie, green jacket, gloves and a red running vest among other runners as snow falls, bib 525 — Wet, cold and snowy start. Photo: Chad and Micki.

A runner on the trail heading into the dark mouth of a stone tunnel, snow along the edges of the path — The famous tunnel of Tunnel Hill.

Naresh at the finish arch, holding up his buckle and sticker, the clock reading 23:48:09 — Sub 24, 100 miles: 23:46:17.

A selfie of Naresh in a blue beanie and red vest with his wife, Maggie, in a knit hat, snow behind them — It wouldn’t have been possible without Maggie, my wife. Thanks, babes.

A gold belt buckle reading "Tunnel Hill State Trail, Vienna, Illinois, Sub 24, 100 Mile Run", above a round "Tunnel Hill 100 Mile Run" sticker — The sub-24 buckle.

I celebrated my birthday by running a sub-24-hour 100-mile race at the Tunnel Hill 100 Mile Ultra, and crossed the finish line surrounded by friends and family.

Heart full of love and gratitude. Thank God for good health. Onto my next trip around the sun.

Tunnel Hill 100: under 24 hours on my birthday

The race

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