The newly constructed Back 40 trails are fantastic. And this trail race has three distances — 10k, 20 miles and 40 miles — for both running and mountain biking. I was fortunate to be part of a 13 man band of trail junkies that traveled to Bella Vista and stayed in nearby vacation home to compete in the various options of race intensity.

Trail runners go first on Saturday and then mountain bikers take their turn on Sunday. The race encourages both by awarding special hand-crafted metal pigs for those that run AND ride. 10k doubles get a piglet, 20 miler doublers get a potbellied pig, and 40 milers get the big pig. As the website says, you can “complete one event for a moderately challenging race or double up and live in everlasting, masochistic glory.”

For the 20 mile distance Dan, Matt, Jim, Dave and me all completed run. By the way, this was Dave’s new longest distance. Carter took on the 20 mile ride on Sunday. And Bob and Chuck achieved 20 mile everlasting, masochistic glory and each earned potbelly pigs.

In the 40 mile distance, Paul ran on Saturday also achieving a new personal longest distance. Rob and Mike both biked the full 40 miles. And rightfully earning everlasting, masochistic glory and the big pig doubler award, Bryan Hay completed both and placed 2nd overall, and Cody Jones rocked the trails placed first overall.

The t-shirt design is phenomenal! The best artwork I’ve ever seen. The finisher awards are cool and mantle worthy. And hey, they served catfish as post race food. Perfect race for those of you that can both run and bike. Because you too could achieve everlasting, masochistic glory!