It's Anchor Down Week baby and we have the man with the vision, Anchor Down Ultra Race director, Jay Paganelli!

Jay shares his journey into race directing and the birth of Anchor Down. The race started in 2015 and was designed to be a challenging and authentic ultra race. Jay wanted to create an event that turned off most runners and tested their limits. The race takes place in Colt State Park, Rhode Island, and offers 6, 12, and 24-hour options. The goal was to create a race that honored the tradition of ultra running and fostered a sense of camaraderie among participants. Jay's passion for the running community and his dedication to creating authentic and challenging races shines through in Anchor Down Ultra. Anchor Down is  also known for its epic aid station and high-quality volunteers like Juice Box Guy. Jay, and his dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to create a memorable experience for the runners. The budget for the event is extensive, as it involves securing a state park, paying staff and subcontractors, and obtaining insurance. The race has strict qualification standards to ensure that participants are committed and passionate about being a part of the Anchor Down community. Anchor Down Ultra (ADU) has a preferred entry path that guarantees entry to those who make the effort to qualify and contribute to the ultrarunning community. The race also offers standard entry and an application process for special cases. ADU is known for its authentic and challenging nature, with a start time of 7pm to create a unique experience of running through the night. The race has a cult-like community and attracts elite runners who compete alongside recreational runners. The event has a low-key atmosphere with minimal advertising. In this final part of the conversation, Jay and Erika discuss the upcoming Anchor Down Ultra and share some insights and advice for runners. They talk about the importance of preparation and training for specific race conditions, as well as embracing the challenges and difficulties that come with ultra running. Jay also shares some funny anecdotes about previous races and the unique experiences at Anchor Down.

During the tros, Eric and Erika open the episode up LIVE from Colt State Park as they just finished helping with trail prep for ADU this weekend. They come back for the outro during their drive home with another epic recording from the car.

Anchor Down Ultra

Anchor Down Video "Toe The Line"

Eric's NYC Marathon Fundraiser - Team FORCE, a dynamic organization that supports the hereditary cancer community

Erika's Chicago Marathon Fundraiser - for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in memory of her brother, Nick

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