About the Blake Norwood Memorial Award

Blake Norwood was the founder of the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run, Race Director for 20 years until his retirement in 2014, and a retired Army Colonel who served with regular and reserve Army units. His vision to have an ultra which would encourage new runners to adopt the sport has resulted in the Umstead 100 becoming one of the most recognized hundred mile runs in the ultrarunning community.

In honor of Blake's commitment to the U.S. Armed Services, the North Carolina Ultra Running Association established the Blake Norwood Memorial Awards.

For each Umstead 100 we'll randomly select 2 male and 2 female active duty members of the Armed Forces. Those selected will get a free race entry and all the good bits surrounding that.

Each year we'll post the application the first week of July.

• All armed service members are eligible (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard Units, Navy, and Space Force).
• Candidates must be on active duty on the day of the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run.
• Entrants must register for the 100 mile race (not the 50).
• Entrants must agree to meet the race qualifying criteria specified on the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run Registration policy.
• Entrants may not have previously been awarded the Blake Norwood Memorial Award.
• Everyone is welcome to apply. We do not discriminate regarding gender, race, rank, religion, political affiliation, or economic status.
• Winners will be required to sign up for the race via an on-line system where they will be asked to agree to our "Waiver and Understanding" and provide other race related information.

• Candidates' names will be placed in a container and the names of 2 males and 2 females will be randomly selected.
• Award winners and non-winners will be notified by email , allowing time for all non-winners to participate in our regularly scheduled race registration.

• Pre-race dinner for runner and 2 crew members
• Buckle or pendant for 1st time Umstead 100 finishers
• T-shirt and choice of any item from Umstead Volunteer Store at Race Headquarters
• Acrylic Finishing Award

Walt Esser / BNMA@umstead100.org