Fellowship of the Idiots

Fellowship of the Idiot Run

"Once you get your name on a plaque in a Vacuum Store, it feels like everything else in life will be a step down."

- Sarah Ferris 2011 Idiot

The Fellowship of the Idiot Run is traditionally held three weeks the Myrtle Beach Marathon.

The next Idiot Run will be Saturday Jan. 28th, 2012 at 5:30 am.

We ask that you be in shape before you tackle the Fellowship of the Idiot Run. In the past, we have had people that only had a three to five mile base in their training and wanted to run just to get the t-shirt.

Basically, you need to respect the distance to run.

There is no charge to run the Idiot Run, especially for first-timers. To offset the cost of putting on the Fellowship of the Idiot Run, donations from current Idiots and others that come out and run are greatly appreciated!

First timers earn a free Fellowship of the Idiot t-shirt upon completion of the run. You also get a certificate that officially certifies you as an idiot.

For First-Timers to sign up for the run, e-mail your, what city you are from and t-shirt size to peter@vacanddash.com.

This is one of the most scenic runs in the Central Piedmont region. You may want to bring a camera and take some photo's along the way.

Here's the list of First-Timers signed up for the 2012 run as of 1/8/12:

Jerry Lindstrand, Kay Ziemer, Kyle Butler, Brad Broyles, Jamie Burton, Jaime McDonald, Elizabeth Waddell, James Cristini,

Michael Wilson, John Holland, Stephen Phillips, Wendy McIntosh, Jason Browning, Brian Trotter, Beckie Calvert,

Carrie Kalczuk, Phyllis Tsang, Nicole Creech, Brian Dolan, Mark Ippolito, Charles Willimon, Joe Walsh, Jason Gardner, Keith Wood, Melissa Lemmons, John Morris, Chris Cutler, Carolyn Green, Andy Gordon, Phillip Pope, Anji Nussbaumer, Valerie Wrenholt, Cliff Weston, Jennifer Fobert, Jim Macon, Mary Owens, Emily Hoar, Heather Vellers, Stacy Hensly, Heather Mcwhorter, Miranda Sheppered, Matt Wolf, Tiffany McCall, Kim Shaver, Jenny Carrick, Paul Green, Kenneth Keske, Brian Schultz, Katie Connors, Corey Cochran, Dave Douglass, Michael Barnhill,Claudette Dahlberg, Andy Gordon, Scott Thomas, Michael Padjen, Charles Heun, Darterian Moore, Grady Gaston, Adam Sides, Dave Fowler, Casey Conover, Kimberly Gregory, Nehemiah Parah, Paul Stout, Randy Crawford, Jim Jones, Rodney Hartsell, David Crocket, Lonnie Kaye, Emily Kanudson, Paul Jenkins, Marshall Feis, and Sean Webb.

For those of you running at Myrtle Beach, we will have Vac & Dash Racing Team Apparel for Sale.

Please get to the YMCA early to sign waiver and release to run in Morrow Mountain State Park.

The restrooms in the YMCA Park will be open.

I'll be ready to start signing people in at 5:00 a.m. at the YMCA.

Start & Finish: Stanly County Family YMCA 427 North 1st Street, Albemarle, NC 28001-3906

Questions: Call Vac & Dash 704-983-3274 peter@vacanddash.com

Details: Treat this run as you would any training run.

Restrooms: Restrooms at the YMCA and top of Morrow Mountain. There is a McDonalds and Waffle House along the route. You will be able to shower at the Y afterward.

Support: With the huge number of runners planning to run Saturday, Stanly Regional Medical Center has been kind enough to offer their water trailer Saturday to hand out water and Hammer Gels. It will be located at the corner of Morrow Mountain Drive and Valley Drive. Mile 6 & 13.7

They also have plans to have a water table at Badin Drive-In Movie Theatre. Mile 3.5 and 16. I'll be driving the route and checking up on folks.

Route: (You may want to make a copy of the route and bring it with you.) Start at YMCA in Downtown Albemarle. Take Franklin St. to Second Street. Right on Second, Left on Montgomery Ave., Right on Ridge Ave., Left on Freeman, Right on Moss Spring. Left on Main St., Left on 740 at Rite Aid, Right on Morrow Mountain Rd., Morrow Mountain Rd. will take you into Morrow Mountain State Park. When you get to the split in the road, take a right which will take you to the top of Morrow Mountain. When you get to the top, go to the end of the parking lot. Turn around and retrace route back to YMCA.

T-Shirt, Certificate and Name on Plaque: First-timers that complete the Idiot Run will get a T-shirt, Idiot Certificate and Name on a plaque that is on the Idiot Wall of Fame at Vac & Dash.

Showers: Available at the YMCA after the run for out of town folks. If you are a member of another Y, please bring your Y card. Guests are asked to bring their own towel, shampoos, etc.

Weather: (Will update info when it get's closer to day.)

To the faster ones, bring a chair and hang out a bit so we can hand out t-shirts to all new Idiots together.

Shopping: Vac & Dash is located three blocks from the YMCA. 231 W. Main St., Albemarle, NC. After the run, stop by and check out the store. All apparel is 20% off. Many closeout items at 60% off.

Places To Stay: Sleep Inn 621 SR 24-27 Bypass, Albemarle, NC 28001, (704) 983-2770

Use Code CVB for a $65.00 Rate (Conventions Visitors Bureau)

Holiday Inn Express 500 Leonard Avenue, Albemarle, NC 28001 (704) 986-2100
Use Code CVB for a $75.00 Rate (Conventions Visitors Bureau)

Places To Eat After The Run:

Hinks Grill 2008 West Main Street, Albemarle, NC 28001-5422 (704) 983-3336
Breakfast Nook 842 South 2nd Street, Albemarle, NC 28001-5725 (704) 983-1413

First-timers signed up for Jan. 29th run as of 1-25-11

Scott Stone, Brad Beane, Tim Richter, John Robinson, Jessica Ingram, Terence Ake, Jerry Alsop, Bess Giles, Paul Martino, David Hillsgrove,

Kevin Holley, Claire Reinhardt, Jason Law, Jim Nelson, Mike Schreder, Tait Robinson,

Melissa Almond, Scott Kauffman, Karmen Russell, Mary Stallings, Chris Moore, Graham Gulley, Angel Gulley,

Bo Jordan, Phyllis Tsang, Sarah Ferris, Michelle Osborne, Mary Senter, Troy Eisenberger, Chris "Crash" Kubiak,

Mary Shy, Bridget Ingram, Bill McVerry, Johnathan Faryadi, John Marotta, Bryan Hojnacki, Emily Hansen, Jamaar Valentine, Mike Beigay, Justin King,Tim O'Donnell, Jeremy Alsop, Andy Garner, Joshua James, Todd Hartung, Angela Krol,

Paul Gordon, Jeff Kimrey, Dave Munger, Bill Weimer, John Gordon, Chris Beckstead, Aaron Linz, Judy Almond, Michael Kahn, Scott Kennedy, Jose Figuero, Todd Joefreda, Ernest Carroll, Gary Parks

Jinnie and Stan Austin drove over from Charlotte to earn their membership into the Fellowship of the Idiots.

They left so early, Stan didn't pay attention when he was dressing for the run.

Scroll down for 2010 Idiot Inductees.

To sign up for the run, e-mail your name and t-shirt size to peter@vacanddash.com.

The only support along the route is a few gallons of water and cups at the 6 mile and 13.7 mile mark. We will have someone driving the course to make sure everyone is ok. Basically, it's a long training run with a cool name and rewards. We will have refreshments at the finish line.

We recommend that you are able to run atleast 13-15 before you participate in the Idiot Run. Must be able to run the 19.7 miles in 3 hours 45 minutes.

We are asking that you respect the distance and challenge of the run before you undertake it. The years that we have been doing this run, most runners have been able to do the course under that time. Honestly, we want to be as inclusive as possible, but recently, I've noticed that some folks just want to come out and do it without being in the proper shape to get the Idiot Shirt. The purpose of this run has always been to help those that are distance runners, have an enjoyable long run with company.

Route: Start at YMCA in Downtown Albemarle. Take Franklin St. to Second Street. Right on Second, Left on Montgomery Ave., Right on Ridge Ave., Left on Freeman, Right on Moss Spring. Left on Main St., Left on 740 at Rite Aid, Right on Morrow Mountain Rd., Morrow Mountain Rd. will take you into Morrow Mountain State Park. When you get to the split in the road, take a right which will take you to the top of Morrow Mountain. When you get to the top, go to the end of the parking lot. Turn around and retrace route back to YMCA.

For more information contact:

Vac & Dash 704-983-3274 peter@vacanddash.com

History of the Idiots

On a twenty-three degree winter morning, seven runners, training for various marathons, traveled by foot from the YMCA in downtown Albemarle to the top of Morrow Mountain and back. When word spread of their 19.7 mile journey, people called them fools, buffoons and idiots. The pavement pounders agreed with the assessment and formed the Fellowship of the Idiots.

The Charter Idiots:

Peter Asciutto, Derek Blalock, Lee Allen, Craig Gunkel, Ryan Owens, Joe Korzelius & Larry Hyde

Since that 2003 morning, other road warriors asked if they could earn idiot status. So far forty-two runners have completed the venture. Those that complete the run, get a t-shirt, certificate and their name engraved on the official Fellowship of the Idiot plaque that has a permanent home on the walls of Vac & Dash.

2004 Idiots

Ellen Smet, Dave Vandeventer, Genevieve Briere & Michael Furr

2005 Idiots

Mitch Knighten, Matt Greene, Curtis Ragsdale & Rick Johnson

2006 Idiots

Doug Bailey, Eric Fogleman, Barry Moose, Lyle Moose, Alan Helms, Rob England & Chris Mead

2007 Idiots

Pete Herron & Bill Josey

2008 Idiots