Within the wake of maybe probably the most profitable Barkley Marathons ever (the race had 5 finishers, together with the primary lady and the primary Canadian), its creator, Gary Cantrell (a.ok.a. Lazarus Lake), has launched into one other stroll throughout America. Entitled “Lazcon 2024,” the journey is a reprise of his earlier Lazcon, achieved in 2018 (east to west, like the present journey, however travelling a unique route).
It is April Idiot’s, however you possibly can’t make these items up. Lazarus Lake, Mr. #bm100, at 69, has began his stroll throughout America. Laz + Transcon= #Lazcon. He is at the moment on the coast of Delaware, heading into Maryland. Will crew him for 2 weeks beginning subsequent Monday. Will likely be updating… pic.twitter.com/fa9rMdPMKY
— Jared Beasley (@DbJared) April 1, 2024
This time, Laz is once more strolling from east to west, beginning in Delaware and heading towards San Francisco, which he hopes to succeed in round Aug. 26. The gap is round 3,000 miles, or 4,800 km. (Since 2018, he has accomplished quite a few lengthy coaching walks, in addition to traversing the nation from Michigan to Florida, albeit in three separate journeys.)
The Barkley Marathons is much from the one race Laz organizes; he’s additionally liable for the Barkley Fall Traditional, Massive’s Yard Extremely (and related world championships), Final Annual Vol State, Coronary heart of the South, Strolling Jim and A Race for the Ages.
At nearly 70, Laz is a longtime smoker (the Barkley is legendary for beginning when Laz lights a cigarette, an hour after blowing the conch) and has again issues. As he posted on Wednesday, he’s in a race in opposition to time:
11 weeks in the past i struggled with my again after an hour.
i’ve come a great distance already.
it may need been good to have just a few extra weeks earlier than i took off.
however the snow within the sierras will come when it comes
and i’ve to get there first.
i might have postponed for one more yr.
however i cant neglect barry barkley.
at 70 he might nonetheless do stuff.
at 71 he couldnt.
he by no means noticed 72.”
Laz is referring to Barry Barkley, his good friend, neighbour and operating accomplice, whom the Barkley Marathons have been named after, and who died in 2019.
Laz posts every single day within the Lazcon 2024 personal Fb group, with philosophical musings about life, his environment and the actual challenges he’s dealing with. Additionally on Wednesday, he posted the next:
i actually must be sleeping now.
however there are simply ideas in my head that wish to come out.
somebody commented to me at the moment that that is an “economically depressed space”
and that i take into consideration my gradual trek throughout this place.
folks smile and wave.
they discuss to one another.
they usually discuss to whole strangers.
they love their house and are pleased with it.
.
i noticed lots of people doing arduous work
and i’m positive they work arduous every single day to get by.
.
however i used to be taught that arduous work by no means damage anyone.
and never all wealth might be saved in a financial institution.
this place is wealthy in all of the issues that rely.
.
the opposite factor that bothered me was a remark;
“again once we had hope for a brilliant future”…
.
hope comes from inside.
at the moment was a beautiful day
and i’m going to mattress pondering tomorrow will likely be even higher.
life is simply too brief to be wasted on feeling sorry for ourselves.
we’re surrounded by issues to present us pleasure
if we cant see them that’s on us.
