[Author’s Note: This is the final article in an 11-part series celebrating legendary aid stations. You can read about the series here.]
The Uwharrie 100 Mile is a simply unrelenting 100-mile race held each October in the Uwharrie Mountains of Central North Carolina. Directed by Ryan and Meghaan Hampton, the Uwharrie 100 Mile consists of five figure-eight loops, each 20.5 miles long. The race is known for the rocks and roots of the Dutchman’s Creek and Uwharrie Trails. At the center of the figure eight is the Crossroads aid station, which runners hit at mile 6 and mile 15 of each loop. Crossroads is captained by legendary North Carolina ultrarunner Vinny Swendsen, who was the original course designer and has led the station since the race’s inception in 2014. He’s also finished 94 100-mile races himself.
Vinny Swendsen, captain of the legendary Crossroads aid station in the Uwharrie 100 Mile. All photos courtesy of Vinny Swendsen.
The Crossroads aid station is known for its food, and for good reason. In his own words, here is how Vinny describes the food at his aid station: “We have the best food of any aid station you have ever been through!”
For breakfast, they offer bacon, cheddar, and potato muffins, as well as sausage. The muffins are served in a crockpot that Vinny says “has a small device in the bottom made of empty [small metal] cans and a metal screen to allow for water in the bottom to keep the muffins warm and moist for runners.” There are also waffles and bacon with maple syrup, treats they continue to serve for the rest of the race. For lunch, Vinny brings out his apricot-glazed meatballs, served warm in an electric frying pan. Vinny says, “I also serve beer-marinated steak on skewers made with a simple marinade of stout beer, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and Dijon mustard.” Then there are the “Brat Bites,” which Vinny describes as “bratwurst rolled in crescent roll dough and cut into bite-sized pieces.”
The famous Crossroads aid station is set up and ready for runners of the Uwharrie 100 Mile.
Vinny takes great pride in his food. “One item I am very picky with is burgers. I fry them on an electric grill, medium heat, for three minutes using a timer. At that point, they have a slight bit of pink in the center and will be easy for runners to eat quickly.” Vinny refuses to settle for anything but amazing. “I have had burgers at other races that were so over-cooked and dried out I couldn’t get them down and threw them away. I will not serve burgers like that to other runners. I also add salt and pepper to each burger for seasoning and better flavor.”
With night comes soup. Vinny says, “This year soups included home-made potato soup, chicken and rice soup with peas and peppers, and carrot soup.” By Sunday morning, with hours on the clock and miles in the legs, Vinny breaks out the shrimp and grits, sharing, “It is easy to make using grits, tiny shrimp, garlic, lemon juice, and butter. It has been a hit every year.”
Muffins galore!
The first two loops of the race often see fast times. However, as the wear and tear of the course sets in, runners start to slow, making the refuge of the Crossroads aid station all the more important. Vinny recalls when he had to intervene to help a runner in need. “I remember the lead runner coming into Crossroads on his last loop, struggling to stay awake and not knowing what to do. I managed to convince him to lie on the cot near the fire for 15 minutes. He reluctantly agreed. I woke him up, and he took off running much stronger than he was when he came in. When he came back into Crossroads for the final stretch to the finish, he thanked me for convincing him to take a short nap as he had been running strong ever since.”
Indeed, it is interactions like that one, as well as many others, that keep Vinny and his loyal crew of volunteers coming back to Uwharrie year after year.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Petty Thieves Brewing Company in Charlotte, North Carolina. Electric Mayhem is a cherry-flavored sour that defies the typical sour taste. While it starts out sweet, it finishes with a unique, tangy tartness, which makes it one of the more unusual and pleasurable beers I have ever enjoyed.
Call for Comments
- Have you had the pleasure of visiting the Crossroads aid station? What did you think of the food?
- What’s been your favorite aid station food in any race you’ve been to?
