What’s 62 miles? Truly, how long could 62 miles be? Well, conveniently, if you split the distance up just right, distribute it around a bit, put some here, some there, it’s pretty much precisely the distance between all five of the Murphy’s grocery stores in Humboldt County. 

Wait, you’re thinking. This feels kind of like an article I’ve read before, in this same esteemed publication. Has the erstwhile dependable Lost Coast Outpost made a mistake?! 

No. That does not happen. That article you’re thinking of was about cyclists, and it ran last year. The particular breed of endurance freaks traveling all 62 miles between the Murphy’s this time are doing it on foot.  

Runners will tackle the Murphy’s 100k on March 14. (See, that’s how you know this is a footrace: a cyclist would call it a metric century.) From the Trinidad Murphy’s, they’ll run down Scenic Drive to Clam Beach onto the Hammond Coast Trail to the Arcata Westwood Murphy’s, then out to Glendale, back to Arcata, down the Bay Trail to Cutten, and then come right back to Sunny Brae for a cool 62. 

Ciotti’s poster.

Organized by Pete Ciotti, the unflaggingly enthusiastic ultrarunner who also organized last month’s sufferfest, the race is also a fundraising effort for the businesses and residents affected by the Jan. 2 fire. There’s not a registration fee, although he does ask that runners interested in completing the run donate to them through the Arcata Chamber of Commerce. Murphy’s is also planning to contribute by asking customers to round up to the nearest dollar when checking out for the week prior to the race; the sum of the differences will go through the chamber. 

Ciotti told the Outpost that he was inspired by his two-wheeled predecessors, but the idea had several parents. He said Murphy’s was a good local business worth supporting; he wanted to run a 100k this year, but also wanted to avoid registering for too many races; he’s been focusing on organizing his own local events; and he’s been trying to help the fire’s victims however he can. 

Ciotti said Murphy’s was “stoked” about the idea and will support the runners as well. Employees will set out aid stations for the runners at every location. 

About 15 people have signed up to run since Ciotti put the word out yesterday. One group is planning to run a relay from one store to the next. 

Although running 62 miles in a day is no easy feat, Ciotti said it’ll be a great opportunity to get some fresh air, help those in need, and perhaps make some new friends. 

“It’s a great way to get everyone moving and see all the cool spots around the area,” Ciotti said, listing off the Bay Trail, Trinidad, Clam Beach, and a few other places the course winds through. “I encourage everybody to check out the local run clubs around town…Everybody out there promoting running and being healthy and doing good stuff. In these dark times, it’s good to have people like that who are doing positive things.”

Interested in joining? Email Pete Ciotti at PeteLovesRunning@gmail.com.