PRAIRIE GROVE, Ark. — On Saturday Erich Washausen will do what most people couldn't even dream of, run a 100-mile race. However, this isn't just any 100-mile race, but the world's oldest and most prestigious, the Western States Endurance Run.
The daring Washausen, who will participate in the race on Saturday, June 29, says that the anticipation is starting to hit him less than a week before the notable run.
"It kind of hit me. I was like, 'Okay, this is real.' Now, because I've watched stuff about this race, there's videos about it. Like, I've seen all the pictures of the course. It almost, yeah, it kind of took a while for it to really sink in that this is real." Washausen said.
The race is so big, the only way you get in is by a lottery drawing. Washausen says he still can't believe his name was drawn.
"I was actually out by the Buffalo River doing this hiking running thing with some friends. When I got back to phone service, I checked my phone just for the heck of it," Washausen recalled, adding that he only had a 1.5% chance to actually get his name drawn. "I had a bunch of texts that were just like, congratulations, congratulations. And I was like, oh, my God, that means I got in."
This isn't Washausen's first time running 100 miles, he's done it two times before, and he says it's that experience that will help him finish this race under the time limit of 30 hours.
"Just the experience from doing Arkansas Traveller this last October, it's still kind of fresh on my mind, kind of the things of like how often do I need to eat? Because you got to eat along the way. What times am I going to expect where I'm going to get really tired and just have to push through it? Yeah, I think that stuff is still fresh in my mind." Washausen said.
Washausen adds that the support he's gotten has meant the world to him.
"The support part has been almost overwhelming in a good way, I've had just people messaging me, because, like I said, before I've ever gotten to this race, I was always keeping track of who is running it, and now I'm on the other side, and it's been really motivating, and I've been so appreciative of everyone reaching out to me. You know, people I know from other races, telling me good luck and everything," Washausen said.
If you want to keep up with Washausen you can click here to see where he is at during the race.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.