I want to pass along a JOB WELL DONE by Scotty Pacello and Matthew Kennedy at the Pinhoti 100 miler 5-6 Nov.
The Pinhoti 100 is a 100mi footrace, run on the Pinhoti Nat'l Trail thru the Talladega Nat'l Forest. It is a point-to-point course, starting NE of Oxford above I-20 and slicing diagonally over Mt Cheaha and down to the finish in Sylacauga. 2011 was its fourth running; I have been in charge of the aid station at Mile 85 for the past 3 years.
This year Scotty Pacello and dad accompanied Matthew and I to work the aid station, where the two boys ably manned the station for 16 hours, starting late afternoon on Sat and going overnight until past dawn and to mid-morning on Sunday. They helped set up covering tents and tables for the food and water we provided to the runners. They also built, from scratch, and 4' diamter firepit, started a first-class fire, collected plenty of wood, and kept it going all night. They were completely in charge of it, we adults were hands-off.
As the runners' crews showed up starting early evening and began the long wait on their runners, the cold wind blew and temps plummetted. But the fire these two scouts built was a warm haven for over 200 people as they rolled in during the wee hours. Because the aid station is at mile 85, this late in the race the runners are very spread out on the remote, rugged course, so we had to be out there a long time. After all the runners were thru and headed for the finish, the boys properly smothered the fire, helped us pack up all gthe equipment, and policed the area for trash. Never once did they complain, and in fact displayed great attitudes worthy of Scouts.
These two scouts applied their skills and work ethic in a positive way to allow many runners and their crews to successfully complete one of the toughest foot-races in the country. Thanks for the time.
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