Hey, I am seriously considering trying to organize a Hood to Coast team with one van ie six people running six 10Ks or so.......this would be an unsponsored team, so the costs might be high. I have no idea. I also have no experience organizing anything. and YES, that story is true that the last HTC team I was on, just as the van was getting ready to move out, I discovered I forgot my shoes. So sue me already.

If you're interested, e-mail me at billaben@teleport.com If you just want to make fun of me, feel free to respond here.......But just remember this: I'm rubber and you're glue!

Hood to Coast does not allow a 6 person team, so your team would be disqualified. Do you have an 'in' with the organizers to get permission to do this without being disqualified? Sounds like a great challenge and I hope you can figure it out. If you do, let me know - I've been thinking a walking team of 6 would be a great experience in a couple years - I think I'll start with a team of 8 next year and see how it goes....

Dear Zola Bud I mean Bill.
How was running HTC barefoot? You're sales delivery is very enticing...

I can't decide which feature I like best:
Running barefoot.
Running Double
Paying Double
Paying double then getting DQ'd.
Helping Organize it then paying double and sharing shoes.
Finally, all of the above and make fun of Bill is my favorite choice!!!

You've got no where to go but up man!
Have you considered the other variations?
-Whole Relay team shares the same pair of shoes. Calling all size 10.5s
-HTC Drivers relay...switch drivers...all non-runners...every exchange.
-I still think a team could hitchhike the whole way with early enough start. You don't need your team van... just a ride to your next leg.

Good luck Bill
Tony

DAMN IT! No, I have no ins or special influence with anyone....My idea was to sign up with twelve people, and then OH NO! Six of them were sick! Of course, I was planning on having my alter ego sign up with the name "Zaphod Beeblebrox" the two headed charaacter from Douglas Adams "Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy." that's not so obvious, is it?

That makes no sense that you can't run a six person team....People sub all the time. Besides, that's one less van getting into everyone's way!

But what happens if you get DSQed? So you don't get a ragy little medal...BFD. It's not like you'd be losing a marathon medal......In fact, the last two times I got a medal for a half marathon, I gave my medal to the fist five year old I saw....But would the HTC police drag the offenders off the course?

Rats.

Oh Tony: I'm rubber, you're glue!

Bill,

You have no idea how much you crack me up. Good luck my friend. I hope you pull it off.

BTW, who forgets their freakin' shoes on race day?!

While HTC rules are fairly specific about the number of members of a team and the number of vans (no more than 2), Bill's approach is strictly speaking legal -- if six of the twelve members of the team don't start the race due to "injury", then the remaining 6 runners could do all 36 legs. According to the rules, each runner would run one leg at a time and would continue in the same rotation throughout the race. That being said, I know I've been on a team that used only 5 runners in one van and let me assure you that no one is checking for this unless perhaps you are contending for winning a category.

Thank you, Eric.......Now I feel better.

That Coach Eric is just like me--only younger, smarter, nicer, and better looking.

So, I guess I'm going to send for an info packet, and sign up with twelve names: The real names of the six runners, and six alteregos........

So if you're interested, write me.

AND let me just remind the public at large that no less a person than Dennis Rodman showed up at an away basketball game without his shoes!

As for what happened to me, fortunately the van was just getting ready to pull out from marlene's house when I discovered that I had neglected to pack my shoes. I was able to go home and get my shoes, but I did have to endure a considerable amount of personal abuse--and not just from Marlene either.

I've not run HTC the past few years.. I suggested the "small team" approach to my goup and nobody was interested. Go figure. I'm not running a marathon in 2006, but I sure like your idea! Maybe I should start running again

Bill,
Be sure have proper van signs for proper areas. VAN1 can't go in some spots where VAN2 can go and vice a versa.

I also believe stickers are different colors.

If you've seen Fletch you could use all of his alias names. Or some team name that would creatively suggest you're up to something without describing it.

Honest story.... my cousin had 13 personalities with her disorder. Would that technically disqualify her being over the limit? Hopefully one of the personalities was a driver.

I would suggest having each person pick their own alter ego so they could complete the registration form and signature would match.

I'm sure tomorrow I'll feel like rubber & glue.
Good Luck
Tony

Oh---this sounds great...a group of people who want to run MORE than called for ....without sleep...multiple medication issues evolving from messing with sleep cycles and stress...and Bill's size 15 boats sans shoes-----then you take a few people who have not run much lately and what do you get...a Big Fat Van Accident and last place.....so I am a nurse...but we may need a doctor as well---the lawyer...well if Bill makes it he can deal with the other issues-----

I cannot even recall when this race is...August? --Anyway...I have to work summer camp in North Carolina in July...some time ---but other than that...I will pay the big $$$ to make it to OR to be in this crazy van ----Margaret will too---Marlene...sure...then we need some faster boys(Jeet) who will make sure we get to the finish by Thanksgiving---

Good luck Bill---if you need these feet then let me know--N