The aid stations for Catherines are better than expected for a Fat Ass run. Normal FA's have limited aid, in many cases the aid available is what you carry. At Catherines, we have generally have full aid stations with food, drink, and merriement. While our aid is pretty good, it is up to each runner to take care of themselves. This means that each runner will carry their own water bottle/container to drink between stations. Catherines is tough enough without adding dehydration to challenge.
The CFA aid stations are located at about 7, 10, 14, 19, and 24 miles. There are only three stations, but you hit the two main ones twice. You can use the Catherines Fat Ass course map to find these aid stations.
The first aid you hit will be upon entering the dirt road after climbing Bird Knob. This upper aid station is the first and also the last aid on the course. So, you will hit this station again at 24 miles. This is a full aid station.
The next aid is at Pitt Spring. This is the aid at both 10 and 19 miles. The second time you hit this station, fuel yourself to the brim, for the Purple Trail is next. running dry here is very bad, speaking from experience! Peyton thought I was going to die out there! Pitt Spring is a full aid station
The aid station at 14 miles, the turn onto the Yellow Trail, is more limited in its offerings. It is a dual-purpose station: 1) to provide much needed aid; and 2) to make sure Bill Gentry makes the turn rather than visiting his friends farther down the Cub Run Road.
Once you get to the final stop at the Upper Aid Station, it is almost all downhill, except for the uphill you have next. It will make sense once you run it, but it is almost all downhill. The first section is more expsed than the way you came outbound, so continue to keep fueled up.
On to the finish! We have aid at the end, but it is of a different type than that offered on the course! Enjoy!
