- May 2, 2024
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Why would anyone want to run 100 miles?
Jamie Woyton, a financial adviser who services Flagler County, has taken on this challenge to help raise awareness for Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation (see “In Woyton’s Words” on this page) and will run in the inaugural Daytona 100, which will take place during the weekend of Nov. 7 and 8.
“I have to blame Dave Krupski, the race director, who’s become a friend,” Woyton said. “Dave announced this race, and I was all exciting because it’s coming right through Flagler Beach, so I was like, ‘That will be great. Count me and my family in to volunteer.’ But, then he says, ‘No, man. I want you to run it.’ I responded, ‘Dude, I don’t … want to.’”
Krupski, according to Woyton has completed over 20 runs of at least 100 miles, one of his latest being a 175-mile run in Italy. Krupski also has a coaching business, and he gave Woyton a training structure that he has followed all year. “And it looks like I have a good shot of finishing this thing,” Woyton said.
Up to this point, the farthest distance Woyton has run is a little over 50 miles, but he will have to do that twice in row to reach the finish line. Woyton will run through several pairs of shoes, through several cities and counties, and through several hundred calories and ounces of water.
“There’s no reason why I shouldn’t finish, barring any serious injuries,” he said. “Even if I have to lie down and take a 30-minute nap, I can get back up and death-march it in.”
“Even having the guts to start the race is an accomplishment,” Krupski said.
In previous long races, Woyton has experienced the difficulty and the unexpected rewards of these runs. He talked about a moment where he was a runner’s crew member, and, once the guy contemplated quitting, Woyton jumped out to pace him and become, what Woyton called, his “counselor, therapist and best friend.” The guy was a stranger, but Woyton volunteered to help him anyway.
“I pretty much adopted him emotionally,” he said.
“What you see from midnight to 6 a.m. is humanity at its best,” an emotional Woyton said. “You see things in the paper of people behaving badly every day, but it’s just so nice to see people at their best — the caring, the support and the encouragement.”
Woyton will be running as Bib No. 161. There will be an app that will allow supporters to track runners’ progress. For more information, go to www.daytona100ultra.com.
