Fall 50 Relay Slots Fill in One Hour

Anyone planning to enter a team for the Door County Fall 50 an hour after registration opened at noon on April 1 were met with this message: “No April Fool’s Joke…Registration for the relay categories of the 9th Annual Door County Fall 50 reached its full capacity of 450 teams just one hour after registration opened.”

“The first 300 teams sold out in 10 minutes,” said founder/race director Sean Ryan, who adds that the race slots could have easily sold out in less than an hour had the system not crashed due to the amount of activity on the website (fall50.com).

“We had the problem resolved in 15 minutes,” Ryan said.

Ryan believes the quick registration fill up is due to the race’s reputation as a quality event and the fact that only so many teams can participate.

“I think what happens when people get turned away, missed the opportunity and then heard what a great event it was, it makes them focus,” he said. “The dark lining is that we have to turn so many people away. I look forward to the day when Highway 42 is a four-lane road. If only there was a way to accommodate more people, it would be wonderful.”

Ultra-marathoners still have a chance to sign up for the 300 slots for solo runners. Ryan said he would be happy if 200 of those slots fill, which is a possibility since the run was chosen by USA Track & Field’s Mountain/Ultra/Trail Council to host the USA 50-Mile Road Nationals in 2014 and 2015.

“Twenty-five states were represented last year,” he said. “With the national championship, we will be able to draw from a wider geographical area.”

For individuals and teams who would like to take part in the Fall 50, Ryan advises that you keep an eye on the Fall 50’s Facebook page.

“There are always teams that are shorthanded and need additional runners. I see that every year,” he said.