Within the wake of maybe essentially 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.okay.a. Lazarus Lake), has launched into one other stroll throughout America. Entitled “Lazcon 2024,” the journey is a reprise of his earlier Lazcon, completed in 2018 (east to west, like the present journey, however travelling a distinct route).
It is April Idiot’s, however you may’t make these things 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. Might 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 space is round 3,000 miles, or 4,800 km.
The Barkley Marathons is way from the one race Laz organizes; he’s additionally answerable for the Barkley Fall Basic, 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 known 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 a number of 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 12 months.
however i cant overlook 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 buddy, neighbour and operating companion, whom the Barkley Marathons had been named after, and who died in 2019.
Laz posts each day within the Lazcon 2024 personal Fb group, with philosophical musings about life, his environment and the actual challenges he’s going through. Additionally on Wednesday, he posted the next:
i actually should be sleeping now.
however there are simply ideas in my head that need to come out.
somebody commented to me in the present day that that is an “economically depressed space”
and that i take into consideration my gradual trek throughout this place.
individuals smile and wave.
they discuss to one another.
they usually discuss to whole strangers.
they love their dwelling and are happy with it.
.
i noticed lots of people doing exhausting work
and i’m positive they work exhausting each day to get by.
.
however i used to be taught that tough work by no means damage anyone.
and never all wealth could be stored in a financial institution.
this place is wealthy in all of the issues that depend.
.
the opposite factor that bothered me was a remark;
“again after we had hope for a vibrant future”…
.
hope comes from inside.
in the present day was a beautiful day
and i’m going to mattress pondering tomorrow can be even higher.
life is just too quick 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.
