Stonewall Jackson

He doesn't look much like a runner now does he? Probably because he never really was and as the story goes, you'd probably agree. Jackson rose to prominence and earned his most famous nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) in July 1861. As the Confederate lines began to crumble under heavy Union assault, Jackson's brigade provided crucial reinforcements on Henry House Hill, demonstrating the discipline he instilled in his men. Brig. Gen. Barnard Elliott Bee, Jr., exhorted his own troops to re-form by shouting, "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer. Follow me." There is some controversy over Bee's statement and intent, which could not be clarified because he was killed almost immediately after speaking and none of his subordinate officers wrote reports of the battle. Major Burnett Rhett, chief of staff to General Joseph E. Johnston, claimed that Bee was angry at Jackson's failure to come immediately to the relief of Bee's and Bartow's brigades while they were under heavy pressure. Those who subscribe to this opinion believe that Bee's statement was meant to be pejorative: "Look at Jackson standing there like a damned stone wall!" Regardless of the controversy and the delay in relieving Bee, Jackson's brigade, which would henceforth be known as the Stonewall Brigade, stopped the Union assault and suffered more casualties than any other Southern brigade that day. (From Wikipedia) The Confederates were commanded by Stonewall Jackson and, despite his forces being outnumbered 3 to 1, Jackson used a combination of audacity, knowledge of terrain, and shrewd military tactics to occupy 60,000 Union troops in this area for the first half of 1862. By doing so, he was able to help keep these Union forces away from the Confederate capital in Richmond. During these engagements, Jackson maneuvered his "Foot Cavalry" 646 miles in 48 days of marching and won five significant victories with a force of about 17,000 against a combined force of 60,000.

But why is Stonewall Jackson important now? Why here? Because next weekend in Front Royal Virginia, I will toe the line of The Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 for the second time. Only this time the game has a new face, introduced by the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club (VHTRC) this year, in the Stonewall Jackson Foot Cavalry Division. It is their recognition of the solo runner, who does not use a crew or pacer, and a tie in to the unique history of the area. A silver buckle will go to the male and female winners.

The Rules
1. Entrants declare their intent to enter the solo division when they register, or to the RD at any time until May 4. (Entrants may withdraw from the division until May 4.)
2. Entrants in this division will have no crews and no pacers and will not use the crews or pacers of other entrants.
3. Entrants will rely only on the official stations and their own drop bags for all support -- food, fluids, clothing, supplies, etc.
4. Entrants may run with any other MMT entrant or group of entrants, solo or not. Entrants in this division may run with another entrant in the run who has a pacer as long as the division entrant does not take any direct aid from the pacer.
5. Entrants may be helped in the aid station by aid station volunteers the same as other entrants, but are not to be helped by crew.
6. Entrants may get impromptu, unplanned assistance from other runners (but not pacers) while on the course between aid stations (example - gu, water, salt tablet, band-aid, etc).
7. If entrants violate these rules, they are not disqualified from the entire race; rather, they can continue but will no longer be recognized as being part of the solo division.

As of today there are 180 entrants registered to start the 15th Running of MMT. Of those 180 entrants 90 have declared entry into the SJFCD. As we move into the rest of our typical pre-race festivities on the blog, I wish you all very well, and I'll see you there prepared to run scared through the Mountains of Virginia, as a fellow member of this daring clan.