Black Mountain teacher to run 100 mile endurance race
by LeeAnn Sharpe

VALLEY – Black Mountain Elementary schoolteacher Jody Chase is going to be in a world of H.U.R.T. this January.

And she’s looking forward to that.

Chase, a physical education teacher, is going to be a member of the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team as they compete in the Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run on Jan. 13‑14.

Among the toughest endurance races in the world, the H.U.R.T. race follows pig trails through the tropical rain forest along the slopes to the summit of Maui’s Mt. Haleakala, the world’s largest inactive volcano. One of Chase’s students, third grader Daniel Hofer said, “She is absolutely crazy!”

Chase responded  with a chuckle, “I’m not crazy. I just want to see if I can do it. I get a lot of support from my students.”

Daniel’s mother, Pam Hofer said, “I can’t believe it. It’s a hundred‑mile run, and it’s nonstop.”

Hofer, who is also a physical education teacher at Black Mountain, described Chase as “an awesome PE teacher.”

“She’s very quiet and I’ve never heard her raise her voice, but still she handles the kids real well,” Hofer said.

Chase knows how to prepare for an endurance race. In her five years of endurance running, she has consistently finished in the top 20 percent of the field. “I’m usually in the top five women finishers,” Chase said, adding she has completed three 100‑mile races in the past few years.

Chase’s students enjoy seeing her medals and hearing stories about her race experiences.

The forthcoming Hawaii race is a pretty steep goal–with more than 24,935 feet of elevation gain and loss over the course. The trails are described as very technical and the terrain is not easy. The entire race is either uphill or downhill. In addition, much of the race is run in darkness and runners have to keep moving over dangerous ground in some portions. They will traverse ridge tops that have steep vertical embankments. Runners are warned in a guidebook to take caution, “Broken bones are a real possibility on this course.”

The guidebook goes on to state, “It is recommended that runners carry a whistle on their person at all times. Should you become incapacitated or lost, the whistle may be your lifeline.”

Additional dangers include dehydration, hypothermia, road crossings, lack of lighting (heavy forest canopy makes the trail very dark), and wildlife like wild pigs roaming the trails with teeth and tusks that can do serious damage. Runners must cross as many as 10 streams and rivers, they are warned to not drink the water, as there is a leptospirosis problem in Hawaii.

Aside from the rugged terrain, the weather poses a challenge to participants as well.

“January is the beginning of the rainy season. Rain can come down in huge quantities over a short period of time. I expect to be wet the entire race,” Chase said.

When asked how a desert dweller will deal with the extremely high relative humidity, Chase said she drinks large quantities of water and makes certain she is getting the necessary nutrients to maintain an adequate balance of electrolytes.

“It’s important to promote a healthy lifestyle. And the positive example of setting high, rigorous goals for oneself is part of being a role model forstudents,” Chase said.

Her goal is to finish the race and bring back her experiences to share. Chase expects to complete the race in about 32 hours and feels her chances are good to be the top woman finisher.

Runners must carry their own supplies and are advised to carry the course map. The guidebook reads, “There’s always the possibility that some of the course markings may be removed during the event.”

“Yeah, that happens,” Chase said, undaunted. “A friend and I will be out the day before the race helping to mark the course, so I will be familiar with at least a small part of the course.”

Those who complete the run will be awarded belt buckles and special awards will go the first three male and female runners to cross the finish line.

Chase said she intends to seek sponsors to offset the tremendous cost of the trip.