There’s something special about Guthrie, Oklahoma, on race morning. Maybe it’s the crisp air rolling off Lake Liberty, the quiet hum of runners warming up or the feeling that you’re about to step into a small story that becomes a big memory. Whatever it is, I felt it the moment I stepped to the start of the Thunderbird Trail Run.
The event includes 100k and 50k, plus 25k, 12.5k and 5k, but anyone who’s been to an Outlaw event knows it’s not necessarily distance that determines the adventure. Thunderbird’s 8-mile loop offers a full sampler: smooth forest floor, patches of technical rock, punchy climbs, breezy descents and some of the best lake views you’ll find in Oklahoma. The course demands attention, but rewards you at every turn.
From the start, the vibe was pure trail running joy. People were laughing, shaking off nerves, adjusting hydration packs and swapping stories from earlier races in the Outlaw series. Even though the distances vary, everyone lines up with the same goal: move forward, enjoy it and find something out there that brings you a little peace or grit. Or both.
Once the horn blew, I settled into a comfortable pace and let the trail pull me in. The morning light hit the lake just right. One of those scenes that makes you forget you’re racing for a moment because the world looks too pretty to rush through.
Volunteers make more bacon at the finish line. Photo John Knepper / Mile 90 Photography
About 3 miles in, I caught myself thinking, “That aid station is going to smell amazing.” Outlaw aid stations are known for being tiny pop-up diners in the woods. Sure enough, as I ran past the aid station at mile 4, the air was filled with the smell of bacon and other hot food. I didn’t stop and told myself I was “in race mode,” but I definitely considered turning back. I even laughed out loud thinking, “Podium is cool, but bacon is eternal.” Thankfully, momentum won that battle.
The miles seemed to slip by as the trail twisted around the lake. Every runner I passed, or who passed me, exchanged a smile, a “Good job,” or a simple nod. That’s one of the reasons people fall in love with trail running: the community makes even the hardest moments feel lighter.
As the final stretch opened up and the finish line came into view, I kicked into whatever gear I had left. Crossing that line in second overall felt surreal, not because of the place but because of the journey getting there. This was the last race of all six Outlaw events I completed this year along with many others. The series that taught me more about patience, perseverance and joy than I ever expected. Thunderbird wasn’t just a race, it was the perfect ending to a year of growth.
And next time, I’m stopping for the bacon.
Full results here.