From events like Relay for Life to 24 Hours of Booty, an event that lasts literally an entire day & night is unlike any other event you’ll do, and it’s one that absolutely everybody can do- no matter your ability, size, age, shape, or training.
Here’s why:
1. You don’t need to be an elite athlete. Heck, you don’t even need to be an athlete- a repeated loop means it doesn’t matter how fast or how long you go, you’re still in the middle of the action.
2. Even if you are an athlete, you can participate with people that aren’t, and still do it together. There’s no other “endurance” event that I could have done with my mom.
3. You’ll be inspired in ways you never expected. Volunteers are amazing regardless, but try finding volunteers that will make peanut butter banana sandwiches at midnight, or sit at an abandoned intersection on the course alone at 3 in the morning. Now that’s incredible.
4. When you see an 11 & 13 year complete over 100 miles, you’ll realize you’re probably capable of more than you thought.
5. It’s a great way to expose kids (or non active people) to physical activity. Because of the loop set up, kids can easily join in for a lap or two (or more). I didn’t even know this kind of stuff existed when I was a kid.
6. The options are endless. Bicycle, unicycle, tandem, walk, run, skip, hop. Whatever means you choose, goes.
7. Food. Lots of food.
8. Friends & family can join you even if they’re not participating. They can volunteer, spectate, cheer, or keep you company for the night.
9. The money raised goes to a good cause.
10. How much you do is up to you- you’ll learn how strong you are not only physically, but mentally.
11. Exercising on minimal sleep is a different experience than being well rested.
12. No other endurance event occurs in the dark in the middle of the night. When else could you do that safely?
13. Even the shyest of shy can make new friends. When you’re together for 24+ hours, you’re bound to start talking. Plus, you already know something they’re interested in, and there’s probably a story behind what got them to the event.
14. The shower after 24 hours of sweat, dirt, & sunscreen will be the best shower of your life.
15. The night after 24 hours of sweat, dirt, & sunscreen will be the best sleep of your life.
16. You get to see a beautiful sunset.
17. You get to see a beautiful sunrise.
18. You get automatic bragging rights: “I _______ for 24 hours” (biked, walked, etc.)
19. You’ll be able to cover distances you never thought possible. Biking 4 miles then resting and biking 4 more is less tiring than bike 8 miles in a row.
20. You’ll be able to hone your inner Girl Scout skills. When’s the last time you pitched a tent by yourself?
21. You can safely participate even if you are injury prone (or injured).
22. You’ll hear amazing stories from amazing people- on the course, at home base, on the campground. 24 hours is a lot more time than a few minutes during a race.
23. The minute it’s over you’ll be inspired to do it again next year- only bigger & better.
24. You get to be part of something much, much bigger than yourself.
P.P.S. Clipless pedals rock. I’ve logged 60+ miles and I’m wipeout free (knock on wood). So don’t be scared of them. 
{ 20 comments… read them below or chime in }
Great post! I’m inspired
Awesome post!
Are you trying to make me sentimental? What a beautiful post. I hope others are inspired, I know that if one comes in my neck of the woods I’ll definitely give it more than a second thought.
You’re right about not having to be an “athlete” – it’s an overall experience. You can tell you walked away with so much more than a finishing time.
Okay, now I REALLY want to try one of those. That sounds amazing!
I love this post – congratulations to you and your mom for being a part of this event! My mom (a breast cancer survivor) and I did the Avon 2-Day Walk last year and many of the reasons you listed applied to our experience as well. Nothing beats the pride of completing the event and feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself!
I’m with others – very inspiring, and makes me want to participate!
Love this post! glad you haven’t wiped out with your clipless pedals! Those darn things are the DEATH of me and cause me to have a traumatic experience whenever I’m on my bike. I either fall or melt down in the middle of traffic and wipe out when I can’t unclip in time!
Awesome post. I did Hood to Coast this past weekend–it’s a 197 mile relay with teams of 12 people. It was amazing in a lot of the same ways as a 24 hour event, because it took us 29 hours total. I can’t wait for another event like it!
I’m totally inspired to do something like this! I need to see if there are any upcoming events in Texas.
what a great collection of reasons! I’ve never participated in an event like this, but it does sound great.
I did my first 24 hour event this year and it was really inspiring. Seeing so many people dedicate that span of time to the cause was just great! My legs hurt and I was exhausted but when 9am hit on that Sunday I was too proud to care.
I’m trying my very hardest to start training on my road bike more to do a century ride next year. I dont know if I could survive a full 24 hours, but it would be an incredible thing to witness thats for sure.
i’m definitely inspired! the closest i’ve done to a 24 hour endurance event is relay for life but this seems really hardcore
Sounds like a great experience! Inspirational!
I really want to do Relay for Life at my school this year..
That sounds like such a cool event! I’d never heard of it before you mentioned it. I definitely want to read more!
I LOVE 24 hour events. I’ve done the Ragnar Relay race two times (in Utah). It’s a 180 mile relay race through the Utah mountains. Amazing! They have them all over the country now and I’d love to do another one. This event sounds so cool that you can do as much or as little as you want.
Amazing!! I have been part of the Columbia 24HoB for 3 years (rode in 2 only thanks to the hurricane). This past year I worked with your Mom on the BOC. I rode 159 miles and my 12 year old rode 107 miles!! He has never gone farther than 35 miles in the past. He told me that he was inspired by all the people there. If this can move a 12 year old to act, imagine the power that this event holds. I see the Columbia event being at the tipping point and expanding within the next few years. Again – a beautiful piece!! Bryan M. McMillan – Middle Aged Marauders
I like reason #7- FOOD!!!! I think I would do something like this in the future now that I know about it! How did your knee hold up?
Wow. I’ve never heard of anything like that before. Very cool.
How fun!!! I did relay for life once my senior year of HS but it was very… high school. I really want to do something like this or perhaps one of the 2 or 3 day race for the cure. My mom is a cancer survivor so I think it would be an amazing thing to do together.