You provided a good tip resulting in an opportunity to meet a great guy, Rod Broadbelt. With a longtime client and friend, I arrived at Umstead just moments before Rod arrived early Saturday morning. Within another 15 minutes, there were some 35 individuals ready for The March. It appeared most were devotees of Rod and his Umstead hikes.

A “brisk pace” is probably the understatement of 2010 thus far. Rod really GetsGoing and the pace was very fast. My friend and I, by prior plan, bailed at the 6 mile point, and we maintained Rod’s pace during the trip back. We covered the 6 miles in a shade < 2 hours.

We've each got the March "Iron Hiker" challenge on our radars. Much training will have to occur before then, but with some encouragement and tips from yourself and folks like Rod Broadbelt, it'll happen.

Thanks for the tip.

Foy Beal
Raleigh