A Race for the Ages
On the Thursday before Labor Day Weekend of 2026, ultramarathoners will once again descend on Fred Deadman Park in Manchester, Tennessee. Led by a contingent of wheezing geezers, over a hundred of America’s finest foot warriors will circle the famed Deadman Mile for days on end in September of 2026.
All runners 41 and over will be allotted a number of hours equal to those hard-earned years of age in which to accumulate as many miles as possible. All the kids, 40 years, and below, will compete over the final 40 hours of the race. The winner will be the runner with the most miles accumulated by the finish.
In contrast to most ultras, where the old guys must settle for a place at the rear, if they can make the time limit at all, the ARFTA is dominated by the super veterans of the sport. In 2025, 1 participant 90+, 12 participants 80+, and 35 participants 70 years old and over competed in this event. Randy Ellis 73, and Steve Troxel 66, completed more than 200 miles! We had 63 participants completing over 100 miles were 70 and older! This is one race where the older guys are right in the running up until the very end. The footspeed may have diminished with the passing of the years, but the fires of competition still burn bright.
Of course it is not the competition which has made this event an instant classic. It is the stories. In the perfect setting of a one mile loop through the park, today’s ultrarunners have the opportunity to spend time with the legends and heroes of the long ago past of the sport. And the old guys and gals have the opportunity to rekindle old friendships (and rivalries) and to rehash the old days. The stories they have to tell are not tales immortalized on the internet, instead they exist only in the memories of those who were there. For all the hundreds of miles that are logged, and the fierce battles sometimes waged for position, it is the celebration of life atmosphere that has made the ARFTA a must-do event. Fathers and mothers sharing miles with daughters and sons as well as grandparents sharing miles with grandsons and granddaughters; these are moments too special to miss.
Event Features:
- Ice is provided for purchase at the ICE HOUSE on the premises for $3.00 per bag.
- Hot meals served every 6 hours (catered by the local Cracker Barrel.) Additional meal plans may be purchased for crew members.
- Real indoor bathrooms located on the course.
- Portapotties located next to the building after the start/finish line and two on the backside of the loop.
- Accommodations: Motels within 1 mile of the park.
- TENT camping is available on site, with prime camping spots situated around the Deadman Mile.
- RV Campers are allowed in the back parking area near the back ball field, if they fit in one standard parking spot (8.5 feet wide by 18 feet long).
Note: This is a small park with limited parking. The course is in the parking lot as well as through the park. Locals come enjoy the park throughout the event. Baseball and tennis are also going on at the same time.
Contact: Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1443235495936999/ Any runners over 70 years of age with financial limitations precluding their entry should e-mail the organizer.
Last year we had 38 starters the age of 70 and older. 53 Runners logged in excess of 100 miles, 5 of which were 80 and older!! Last year 2 participants went 200 plus. Last year Doyle Carpenter, Harry Strohm, John Price, and Keith Dunn completed their 11th ARFTA!
Top 6 in Lifetime miles: Maurice Robinson 1473, Barney Riesback 1439, Doyle Carpenter 1407, Ed Masuaka 1255, Harry Strohm 1196, Rosemary Evans 1231.