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Brian Williams and Sean Hilsdon were our guests on Lift Heavy Run Long® #67. They are organizing a trail race for October of next year, and we discuss what we can expect. I am probably looking forward to this race more than most because I know these guys personally, and I know the kind of fun, adventure, and excitement that they bring with them everywhere they go. This will be a big race and a well-run event.
Big Hill Pond’s 50/25K will have something for everyone. It will be run on October 20th 2018. The race will have 31 or 15.5 miles made up almost entirely of single track trail with only a little crushed gravel park road to help string out the competition. The race will feature a fire tower that you will have to climb, and a swamp boardwalk that is almost a half mile across. The history of the area comes from the local sheriff Buford Pusser, who is known for his virtual one-man war on moonshining, prostitution, gambling, and other vices along the Mississippi–Tennessee state line. The race will offer enough scenery and elevation for the most grizzled trail runner but should be doable for the first timer.
A little bit about the organizers:
Brian B Williams is a Financial Advisor for Raymond James. He lives in Germantown TN with his wife Lorrie, son Adam, and daughter Virginia Grace. Like many others out there he started running in his early 30’s to lose some weight and get back into shape. He quickly found that running was something that he truly enjoyed and trail running quickly became his passion. The Sylamore 50K was his first ultra marathon in 2012 and he has finished over 30 races of that distance or longer since. He has run Ultras in multiple states and even finished Comrades in South Africa. He is an active board member on the Memphis Runners Track Club, volunteers at MYA events, and participates in many other charities around town. He loves the trail community and enjoys giving back. He believes you should never say no to an adventure.
Sean Hilsdon is civil engineer from Millington, TN who now lives in Southaven, MS with his wife April, two boys Mitchell and Garrett, and 6-week old baby girl Madison. He is an Eagle Scout that spent most of his youth in the outdoors and playing sports.
He got into outdoor running in early 2014 in an attempt to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, and lead a healthier lifestyle. He found accountability and friendship through running groups like the Desoto Runners Club, Full Motion Running & Cycling Shop, and Breakaway Running Store, which hold weekly group runs. From starting with his first 5k and now having several ultramarathons and triathlons under his belt, he owes all his success to God, family and friends. He is vice president of the North Mississippi Endurance Multisport Team and is looking forward to completing his first 50 miler in November 2017. He is already very excited about the upcoming 2018 season.
He believes it’s a very fine balance between spending quality time with family and chasing down his athletic dreams, but hopes that it will motivate his family and friends to also strive for a better quality of life. His motto in life is try everything at least once and never quit under your own will!