A Race for the Ages

On the Thursday before Labor Day Weekend of 2026, ultramarathoners will once again descend on Fred Deadman Park in Manchester, Tennessee . Led by a contingent of wheezing geezers, over a hundred of America’s finest foot warriors will circle the famed Deadman Mile for days on end in September of 2026.

All runners 41 and over will be allotted a number of hours equal to those hard-earned years of age in which to accumulate as many miles as possible. All the kids, 40 years, and below, will compete over the final 40 hours of the race. The winner will be the runner with the most miles accumulated by the finish.  In contrast to most ultras, where the old guys must settle for a place at the rear, if they can make the time limit at all, the ARFTA is dominated by the super veterans of the sport. In 2025, 1 participant 90 +, 12 participants 80+, and 35 participants 70 years old and over competed in this event. Randy Ellis 73, and Steve Troxel 66, completed more than 200 miles! We had 63 participants completing over 100 miles were 70 and older!  This is one race where the older guys are right in the running up until the very end. The footspeed may have diminished with the passing of the years, but the fires of competition still burn bright.

Of course it is not the competition which has made this event an instant classic. It is the stories. In the perfect setting of a one mile loop through the park, today’s ultrarunners have the opportunity to spend time with the legends and heroes of the long ago past of the sport. And the old guys and gals have the opportunity to rekindle old friendships (and rivalries) and to rehash the old days. The stories they have to tell are not tales immortalized on the internet, instead they exist only in the memories of those who were there. For all the hundreds of miles that are logged, and the fierce battles sometimes waged for position, it is the celebration of life atmosphere that has made the ARFTA a must-do event. Fathers and mothers sharing miles with daughters and sons as well as grandparents sharing miles with grandsons and granddaughters; these are moments too special to miss.

We rent most of the park for the duration of the event, and among the features of the race are: Ice is provided for purchase at the ICE HOUSE on the premises for $3.00 per bag. Usually set up next to the building not far from the start/finish area. Hot meals served every 6 hours (this is not aid station food, but fine southern cuisine catered by the local Cracker Barrel.) Additional meal plans may be purchased for crew members. The meals come prepackaged for each individual with whatever is on the menu that day. A mealtime rush is not necessary as you may take it with you to your tent or eat at the pavilions. A friendly reminder to allow the aid station volunteers time to set it up before you stop by to grab and go. We  do not have the facility to set up multiple options or dietary needs.