the Huron 100 : an oral history
To quote Adam Hughes, “The Huron 100 didn’t just organize itself (though wouldn’t that be nice?). We’re reaching out to our OG's. Our trailblazers, spreadsheet wizards, and behind-the-scenes heroes—you!—to help us capture the oral history of how this wild and wonderful event came to be.”
This is the origin story.
Tell us about the first time you heard the words "Huron 100"
When they popped into my head! I liked the alliteration and the way it sounded and it just makes sense. I named it after the river initially, even though runners didn’t get close to the actual river until after mile 50. However, when I later learned about the Huron River Watershed, runners technically enter the watershed around mile 18. Two other interesting facts: A lot of people pronounce it, ‘Huron hundred’ instead of ‘Huron One Hundred’. I always envisioned the latter but feel like most people prefer the former. In the end, let the people say it how they want! Another tidbit, ‘Wolverine 100’ was my second choice in a name.
Dan “Danimal” Hughes | Race Director & Founder
Oh, probably while I was woken in the middle of the night by Dan kicking me. He does that when he dreams of running. It was probably in a fever dream, and he was mumbling it incoherently. But seriously, it’s been so long now, who even knows for sure? The actual name the Huron 100? That came later. The route came first and it was a relentless slog of tuning out a lot of dinner conversations about this trail and that trail, but I think the name came from the alliteration of the “h”'s in Huron and hundred. It just sounded good, we both agreed. Dan just liked the way it sounded together. It was catchy. The Huron 100. There was something simple but memorable about it.
Lauren Hughes | Huron 100 Board Member & Dan’s Wife
Dan and I had reconnected on Strava and I was watching his activity and it seemed like he was up to something during the pandemic. It was soon revealed to me that he was trying to create a point to point ultramarathon course along the Huron river watershed.
He reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in being the medical director and I immediately said yes. Being an ER physician during the pandemic, I understood not only my own personal struggles during that time, but that others were struggling too.
I fully supported people staying sane and healthy with hobbies and passion, projects, and boy, this one was a doozy. I was so inspired because I also feel connected to the Huron River Watershed. When my boys were little, my husband took them on a kayaking trip in stages down the 125 miles of the Huron river. It was a really special time that connected them to where we live and to the incredible wildlife and nature that is abundant along this watershed. Dan’s story, his plan and his passion were contagious and I knew I just had to be a part of something that was going to be incredibly special. I am truly honored to be part of this Huron 100 family.
Meredith Hill | Huron 100 Medical Director
The first time I heard the words Huron 100 was the day that I met Dan Hughes. After a long courtship on Strava, we took our budding bromance to the next level, and hit the trails. The Danimal and I were getting to know one another as we shared some miles, and before we had broken a sweat, he started to share his idea with me about a 100 mile point to point route he had been working on. As he started to tease out his vision, I was captivated by it’s complexity and depth. Dan’s original thought was to take this concept to a race company to see if they would like the idea, and I, naively and boldy told him “no fucking way bro, le’t do this thing on our own.” We joke all the time about who’s fault it is that we now have this intense blessing on our hands and we jokingly go back and forth on accountability.
Adam Hughes | Huron 100 Board Member / Chief Enabler
Adam set me up on a (race director) blind date with Dan at Avalon in February 2022. Dan had been tinkering with a 100 mile point-to-point race from the early days of COVID, and couldn’t get it out of his system. One pastry basket, a few gallons of coffee, and a stack of blueberry pancakes later, I knew that the concept had serious legs. My advice to him was to recruit some intrepid pioneers to give the course a dry run, and turn it into a bandit style race. I warned him that getting a green light from all of the necessary parks departments, municipalities, DNR, etc. would be a fool’s errand… I didn’t know what the Danimal was capable of yet.
Brent McDermott | Huron 100 Advisor
I got an email from a guy I didn't know named Dan Hughes begging me to be a guinea pig for his race he wanted to put on.
Jonathan Alsip | Huron 100 Pioneer
While on a quick hike we ran into this handsome couple - who apparently Keith knew. We exchanged hellos and then the man said to Keith “I’d love to have you out for the inaugural Huron 100.” The man is Dan, who is legit THE man. It sounded like a great idea, but I imagined it was a huge undertaking and hoped it could come together.
Carly Kish | Huron 100 Pioneer
I Strava stalked Dan and found his PRP episode and had my mind absolutely blown! I was thankfully able to go on runs with him on the course and hear first hand about his original running & concepts of the course. Shoutout to the headless goose hill! I wonder if Huron Meadows South will ever make it back into the course or maybe Rob Raux will personally stand against it!
Nick Insley | Huron 100 Pioneer
I was talking to Kyle Petronio about wanting to put on a 100 mile through our normal trails. I had sent him the route and as soon as he saw it he said I needed to talk to a guy named Dan Hughes… who had put together almost an identical route just heading in the opposite direction.
Jay Vanderhovel | Co-Race Director
Organizing a point to point trail ultra is a ton of work. What about the race concept of Huron 100 spoke to you?
When getting into Ultras, I always liked the ideas of a point-to-point adventure. The races I wanted to do the most (Western States, Eastern States, Pines to Palm, Hardrock, etc.) were all races that were point to point or one large loop. The Huron course naturally flows from one park system into the next, so constructing a route that connected all those areas seemed natural. I’ve since met no less than 15 other people who mapped out similar routes for a 100 miler in the watershed. In that regard, I think the concept and eventual reality of a point to point 100 miler in this area was inevitable.
Dan Hughes | Race Director
It is unique in our area in that it is the only point to point hundred mile race. I think it also really honors the Huron River Watershed and all the beautiful parks and spaces that we have the privilege of exploring and using. I thought it was so cool that many of my favorite parks and recreation areas were able to be connected to create this route. It was so clever and so creative!
Meredith Hill | Medical Director
First of all, the Huron Watershed and the access to like such a key river, and in living in Ann Arbor, the name itself particularly resonates. The point-to-point concept is ideal and is very rare, especially for this area. Just the putting together of multiple amazing trails throughout Southeast Michigan. Just fantastic concept.
Rob Raux | Huron 100 Pioneer
A local ultra that is point to point sounded like a unicorn. To be able to crew locally, knowing the roads, the parks and being close enough to home was a big selling point for me. To be clear - I’d follow Keith anywhere he’d want to run, but it was quite magnificent to stay close to home. The Huron River is an important part of our local ecosystem, and knowing that this ultra supports this makes it a five star idea.
Carly Kish | Huron 100 Pioneer
I ran it the pioneer year. Unmarked solo efforts are races that appeal to me.
Adrian Fear | Huron 100 Pioneer / Volunteer Coordinator
I think the concept of 100 milers and documenting them fascinated me. On the unofficial first year, I wanted to run around and capture as much of the race as possible. Also the course was absolutely insane to me and still is. The scope is unprecedented in Michigan, especially connecting all these parks.
Kyle Petronio | Live Stream Producer
Nothing. I never wanted to be in this situation. It wasn’t a choice.
Lauren Hughes | Dan’s Wife
What's one thing you are doing (or have done) to prepare for the race that would surprise people?
I think the toughest part of the race Is in the beginning, I have been doing a lot of my training on the second half of the course so I can really know all the hills and have the best effort at the end.
Nick Gapp | Huron 100 Pioneer
My training going into the Huron 100 Pioneer Edition, consisted of a lot of core and resistance training as I was coming off of a pretty severe bout with sciatica and a bulging disc in my spine. My mileage was relatively low, as I don't think I did any runs over 20 miles coming in. I think it helped resolve a lot of weaknesses and let me hit the trails pretty fresh.
Keith McCaffery | Huron 100 Pioneer
Brought along a pop-up palm tree giant cooler in my luggage from Salt Lake City.
Nancy Hughes | Huron 100 Pioneer
I personally like to know as much about our participants as possible. When someone signs up, I’ll check them out on Strava and UltraSignup. This is the only event we put on and I’m always looking for ways to personalize the runner experience and make people feel special. These runners are not just numbers to me but individuals taking on a challenge that resonated with them. It is a special thing to share that resonance with them and see them fall for the Huron like I did.
Dan Hughes | Race Director
Sleeping. Lots of sleeping.
Carl Jarema | Narcoleptic Runner
What were you most nervous about going into race day last year?
I was most nervous about how runners would receive the race. Being the 1st official year, with people paying to run the race, I felt the added pressure of having to deliver a remarkable experience to runners. I was worried runners would leave saying they didn’t like the race or their experience.
Dan Hughes | Race Director
Someone becoming seriously injured or ill and having to extract them from the woods. I was prepared and notified local EMS agencies and I had my running shoes and first aid pack all ready to go! But I still really hoped we could keep the runners safe.
Meredith Hill | Medical Director
I still didn't have full confidence that I could do the whole 100 mile distance in one go. I was pretty sure but I also knew how many things can go wrong in such a long effort. It was a struggle to run 100 miles in a week so the thought of compressing that into a day was still difficult to wrap my mind around. I was trying to shift my mindself from race to adventure.
Nick Insley | Huron 100 Pioneer
The Pioneer course was marked well, but not that well. I was most nervous about my phone dying and not being able to navigate properly. I am famous for getting lost during relay race events and I didn't want to be the guy who had to get picked up somewhere in South Lyon because I went the wrong way!
Keith McCaffery | Huron 100 Pioneer
Completely unknown if our plan/strategy for the aidstation setup was going to work or not. Grocery Shop... I don't even grocery shop for myself, but putting on a dozen restaurants (aid stations) is quite the task. I didn’t want anyone DNF'ing due to not having enough to eat!
Jay Vanderhovel | Co-Race Director
It's race morning 2024. What's going through your mind?
Holy shit, this is really happening. Kind of like your wedding day, things are just kind of happening to you and you’re just hanging on for the ride. Unlike being a runner, the anxiety I had didn’t disappear when the gun went off but lasted another 36 hours.
Dan Hughes | Race Director
Is another stranger going to tell me about pre-race poop?
Carly Kish | Huron 100 Pioneer
How long is this fucking bus ride?
Rob Raux | Impatient Runner
I hope I'm still standing when I see the finish line and not sitting in a car.
Keith McCaffery | Huron 100 Survivor
Shit. It’s real. - yeah… real. Not just a concept, or another one of Dan’s crazy ideas. It’s a real thing and people are really counting on us. There was a lot of gravity and responsibility that just smacked me in the face and rolled me over. Also it was early and I was tired already, and the day that laid before me seemed daunting at best. But then, getting out there in the morning sun, and seeing all the smiling faces of family and friends - it was kind of the best thing ever.
Lauren Hughes | Board Member
Some of the discombobulations from the unofficial trial in fall 2023 . . . and how it appears those were great learning tools!
Nancy Hughes | Huron 100 Pioneer
It's adventure time! I really didn't want to start out too quickly so I intentionally lagged back from groups of people I knew. I get caught between hanging with people to make the time go by quickly early and wanting to settle into my own pace. I still had questions about whether my body was fully prepared for the distance and I had quite a bit of life stress going on outside of running so I was glad to have a day to focus on having fun in the woods and taking care of myself.
Nick Insley | Huron 100 OG
Early aid stations - the fast runners are FAST! They are cutting through the woods on trails while we are driving AROUND them on the roads. You would think we would win everything but it's closer than you think!
Jay Vanderhovel | Co-Race Director
Time to find out if I can pull off 100 miles on 3 hours of sleep.
Jonathan Alsip | Huron 100 Ghoul
Very excited and nervous, not knowing what to expect with such a new race. Is the competition strong? How will I navigate the course? Am I wearing the right shoes?!
Nick Gapp | Huron 100 Pioneer
I’m SO excited!!!! Mostly excitement. The hard work has been done. Enjoy the moment, be cheerful and mindful of what the runners need. Help in whatever way is needed and fill gaps, even if outside of the medical arena. I also think about our race command and hope that joy outweighs the stress and they can see what a great race they have all created.
Meredith Hill | Medical Director
What parts of the course do you find to be the most challenging to plan for?
I think Brighton State Rec may be the most challenging section. It comes later in the race when the sun has gone down. The twisty/turny trails can feel monotonous and a bit like a roller coaster. If people can make it out of Brighton with enough time, I feel the odds of finishing are high.
Dan Hughes | Race Director
I struggled on the horse trails in Kensington and going solo into the night time.
Adrian Fear | Huron 100 Pioneer
I don't know if there's a most challenging part. I think that if I had to pick one, the most challenging thing to plan for would probably be just switching over to pavement for a little bit, or to a harder surface. That's kind of hard to plan for and hard in the body.
Rob Raux | Huron 100 Pioneer
Finding enough medical staff to cover all the overnight hours. Trying to honor people’s availability while making sure the runners get what they need.
Meredith Hill | Medical Director
The Waterloo Pinckney trail is a test of self reliance with it happening during the heat of the day and aid stations are more spread out, less crew access, and no pacer available. It's easy to go too quickly too soon. There are quite a few random technical spots with loose rocks along equestrian trails as well as some decently long sections of sand that can drain your energy and tire out your stabilizer muscles early if you try to fight against it to maintain a pace
Nick Insley | Runner
The first 50 miles. There is not a ton of signal coverage and far more challenging terrain for the runners than the back 50.
Kyle Petronio | Live Stream Producer
The first 25miles of the race is the most challenging, that is where all the big hills are and when you are feeling good it is easy to go out too fast and pay for it at the end.
Nick Gapp | Runner
The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail presents some of the bigger climbs of the course but it is right at the beginning. Trying to not go to hard out of the gate when you are fresh is difficult.
Keith McCaffery | Runner
What did Huron 100 do to your body?
The constant rain made my feet feel like there were cuts all over the bottoms and walking hurt because of that for a day.
Jonathan Alsip | Soft Runner
I needed a very long nap.
Carl Jarema | Rip Van Watershed Pioneer
The actual working parts of my body (feet, legs, back, joints) were not destroyed like they usually are after running 100 miles but the amount of overall fatigue and numbness following the event far-exceeded any race that I’ve actually run.
Dan Hughes | Race Director
We don't talk about that publicly.
Jay Vanderhovel | Co-Race Director
My body felt fairly decent after the Huron 100. I feel like most of the trails are soft and forgiving. My ankle did start to hurt after going across the river and through the swamp in Huron Meadows, especially on the off canter hills that followed right after.
Keith McCaffery | Huron 100 OG
Made it require immense sleep. I did a 50 miler the week before the livestream in 2024, so I was cashed out.
Kyle Petronio | Live Stream Producer
Me? Oh, I was TIRED after a 36-hour stint of "support" but am humbled by the runners!
Nancy Hughes | Margarativille Resident
I was unable to bend my right knee at all and had to drop. I still couldn't bend it for 6-8 hours after the official DNF but after going home, sleeping, showering, and refueling, I was able to walk around the next day with just the typical hobble and no knee pain. I've since included specific strength training & resistance band work to remedy this issue!
Nick Insley | Hobbled Runner
How different was the execution of the race from when you first conceptualized it in your mind?
Very different. The Pioneer version was a logistical nightmare than actual caused some actual psychological trauma and PTSD. I felt we were much more prepared in 2024, but still got punched in the face . It once again proved to be incredibly stressful and there was a lot of self-hate thoughts and feelings. So many issues arose that cause me a lot of stress (missing drop bags, cut-off issues, course marking confusion, runners getting lost, the rain and thunderstorms). My synopsis of the event was so negative compared to what others experienced (volunteers and runners) that it took some serious reflection post event to convince me it wasn’t as bad as I thought.
Dan Hughes | Race Director
Compared from year one, the formalized nature of the race was a bit more dialed. It still felt grassrootsy and helped keep the community engaged. I would say the course reroutes were super cool. Particularly running under silver lake when it was still under construction.
Kyle Petronio | Live Stream Producer
So much more complicated, it takes a literal village. You could have 25 runners or 125 runners, you still need the same amount of volunteers (more is better!)
Jay Vanderhovel | That Dude
The execution was beyond my expectation! I recognized the logistical difficulties especially staffing so many aid stations at such late hours for people sparsely coming through so I was blown away by the aid stations and volunteers who were always so helpful. After a little bit of night time rain during the 2024 race I was so thankful for the RunningLab aid station at Brighton State Rec with the alien vibes and hot food! I got sucked in and I swear time warped and what I thought was 15 minutes was actually 45 minutes. Once I heard that I got on fresh shoes and socks and got the heck outta there!
Nick Insley | Huron 100 OG
I thought it would be beautiful and hard and frustrating and rewarding and stressful. It has been all those things. And more. It’s hard when you’re married to it, when you were out on the trails while the course was being made, when you slogged 15 long miles on an injured leg to keep your partner safe in the middle of the night, when you’ve driven hours, dropped him off in the middle of nowhere. The execution is actually my life. So I’ve been the frog in the pot living it every day.
The only difference is that I never expected so many people to believe in it almost as much as we do. And I never imagined it would grow beyond the safety of our relationship. It’s kind of humbling, watching people love dans idea as much as I do. How is that even possible? I love (almost) everything about him, with every fiber of my being. It wouldn’t be a far stretch to say I think he shits gold. So to see others love it too, well… it’s confirmation that this was the right thing at the right time for this area and the beautiful community of people here.
Lauren Hughes | Married to Huron 100
The way it was connected was incredible. I learned about so many trails that I had never been on before. I was impressed by how little road and pavement there was.
Keith McCaffery | Man of The People
There was so much time and organization that went into running a race like this, I had no idea. I was so impressed. Sure there were a few glitches, as to be expected, but overall I felt it went really well. I also think the runners realized how special and unique this race was because the amount of time and care that went into planning was evident.
Meredith Hill | Medical Director
10 years from now, what will you remember about the early years of Huron 100?
Just Dan and I in the woods, scouting trails, running segments, laughing, crying. Holding space for each other. The look in Dan’s eyes. That shine. That sparkle. How thrilled he was at the possibility of community, of creating and contributing. And also, the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing you have friends out there who have your back. How we all came together and lifted each other up and made something special.
Lauren Hughes
How it started as such a grass roots effort. The idea that Dan did this by himself first, then invited a small group to test out his course and idea, and how it has grown through word of mouth because of the great experience. I will also never forget what a hassle Dan went through for the Pioneer event, but somehow still pulled it off. As a runner, I had no idea what was going on behind the scenes.
Keith McCaffery
How quickly so many people jumped onto the train after seeing how amazing of a community and race the organizers and volunteers created. And it seems like each person is bringing another or a few with them. I'm really excited to see how the race grows again this year and I can't even imagine what it'll look like a decade from now! Probably an out and back.
Nick Insley
First place coming into Park Lyndon quicker than our drop bag arrival time... Whoops!
Jay Vanderhovel
The camaraderie, the mission, the smiles and appreciation of the runners, even if they were struggling, the new family and friends who have enriched my life and I continue to learn from.
Meredith Hill
I fondly remember how much of a shit show the pioneer run was and how excited Dan was to have the race put on for real. The first official year was still a mess, but watching kinks get figured out year after year and watching the race evolve into a premier event in the Midwest is something I'm looking forward to.
Jonthan Alsip | Keeping it (Huron) 100
The pioneers were onto something that became a premium event.
Carl Jarema | Pioneer Truther
Just the joy and tenacity from people running as well as people organizing. It's a labor of love, but it's a labor.
Rob Raux | Eternal Dirtbagger
The foundation it built for the race it has become. I hope the race stays true to its roots- meaning the community is prioritized and the beauty of the SE Michigan parks is highlighted.
Kyle Petronio | Man Behind the Camera
I think I will remember all the original people who ran from the beginning! Others will come and go each year but the people who started that first year will always be a special group!
Nick Gapp | Nostalgic Runner
It was GOOD hard work for the runners, the dreamers, the organizers, and a wonderful boon for the Watershed. :)
Nancy Hughes | Huron 100 Groupie
My hope is that the mistakes turn into funny stories. I don’t think I will ever forget how a community came together to make a dream happen. It’s a bit surreal when I step back and really think about it. It’s the type of experience that really makes you think that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and have friends around you that support you.
Dan Hughes | George Washington
Who do you consider to be the unsung heroes of Huron 100?
Jay for his work with getting a top tier menu ready, the insane amount of volunteers giving up their weekend to enable our bad ideas, and Adam Hughes. He knows why ;)
Jonathan Alsip
The volunteers of course!
Carl Jarema
At the end of the day, volunteers are the unsung heroes. People working, volunteering, especially overnight it's monumentally impactful.
Rob Raux
Dan. I saw the photos from the year he ran it solo and it looked rough.
Adrian Fear
Oof - Lauren Hughes, crew and aide station captains. There are many, in my opinion.
Carly Kish
The unsung heroes are the volunteers, but also the partners of the runners who encourage them to get after this feat.
Kyle Petronio
The volunteers!!!! I hope we have been singing their praises though! The attitude and demeanor of the volunteers can make or break a race, and our volunteers were all in. The Huron 100 and Dan Hughes are so inspiring that it makes it easy to be a total groupie and want to make this run a great success!
Lauren Hughes is also an unsung hero. She does so much in the background not only for the race organization, but also as a supportive and loving partner for our race Director!
Meredith Hill | Medical Director
Medical. Most 200 mile races have 4 or 5 main medical people. We have a fleet in 100 miles.
Jay Vanderhovel
Late night volunteers that ruin their sleep schedule for a weekend to help facilitate safe passage for runners! That includes crews as well that also have to drive while semi delirious on roads that are most of the time unfamiliar & pothole filled.
Nick Insley
The RUNNERS
Nancy Hughes
Nick Gapp - Co-winner of the Pioneer Event. He even helped a fellow runner get to the finish line instead of taking it all for himself. Plus he helped run a killer aid station at Bishop Lake in the first official year of the Huron 100
Jen Crutchfield - Paced me for 40 miles of the Pioneer Event and truly helped me stay on course and hydrated.
Carly Kish - Not only my crew chief, but also a bright light and motivator for many of the participants and other crew members.
Dan Hughes - For running this thing by himself first, then putting together the most epic underground race ever, and then making his goal of an official 100-Miler come true!
Jay Vanderhovel - Getting the supplies where they needed to go last year.
Adam Hughes - Making more and more people aware of the Huron 100
Kyle Petronio - Bringing livestreaming of the race to life.
Keith McCaffery | Grateful Huron 100 Pioneer
I think the volunteers are the unsung heroes, it is not easy to get so many people out on the course to help and for all those people to give up their weekends and be out for multiple hours is so awesome!
Nick Gapp | Huron 100 Pioneer Co-Champion
The board. Carl, Meredith, Adam. People working tirelessly all year long to make my partners dream a reality. They have made this something so much more fulfilling and meaningful and impactful. And their ideas paint a bright future. Without them, we would be no where. - And also, all the crews out there. Ultrarunning is really a team sport. Those crews are working hard, staying up all night, and giving their valuable time energy love so that runners can have the best day possible.
Lauren Hughes | Huron 100 First Lady
My wife, Lauren Hughes. The Huron 100 has taken over my life and my wife and kids are the biggest collateral damage. Lauren is the sounding board for every new Huron idea and is often the voice of reason. Without her veto power, this thing would be a circus. She also has so many skills that I don’t have that have helped to turn this into a remarkable event.
Dan Hughes | Huron 100 Godfather
