Fat Ass
{{Short description|Informal ultramarathon running event}}
{{See Wiktionary|the type of ultramarathon race|fat-ass|derogatory term}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}File:Winter Running, Ashland Watershed Trail Systems, Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest (24889689919).jpg
A Fat Ass or fatass is a type of informal ultramarathon running event which started in the San Francisco Bay Area in late 1970s.{{cite magazine |last=Yanek |first=Cheryl |date=19 January 2015 |url=https://ultrarunning.com/featured/fabulous-fatass-how-to-organize-a-fatass/ |title=Fabulous Fatass: How to Organize a Fatass|magazine=UltraRunning Magazine}} Typically organized as a low-key grassroots race that is {{cvt|25|km}} or longer, the Fat Ass is usually free to enter.
Description
Fat Ass runs are usually community events and training races with no reward. These events have the unofficial slogan of "No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps", meaning entry is usually free but amenities are limited.{{cite web |last1=John |first1=Sherpa |title=The Fat Ass Ultra: A History |url=http://trailandultrarunning.com/the-fat-ass-ultra-a-history/ |website=Trail And Ultra Running |access-date=29 July 2024 |date=15 October 2012}} Some events require the donation of aid items to a communal station.{{cite web |last1=Davidson |first1=Sara |title=Trail races are chill, but you know what’s even more chill? A “Fat Ass” |url=https://www.runwashington.com/2019/11/18/trail-races-are-chill-but-you-know-whats-even-more-chill-a-fat-ass/ |website=RunWashington |access-date=29 July 2024 |language=en |date=18 November 2019}} Many people participate to see if they enjoy running ultramarathons before spending money on registering for an official event.{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=25 March 2022 |title=The Lost Art of the Fat Ass
|url=https://www.trailrunnermag.com/races/the-lost-art-of-the-fat-ass/|magazine=Trail Runner Magazine}}
The idea of the Fat Ass came from Joe Oakes, a runner from the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1979, he started the "Recover from the Holidays Fat Ass 50" event.{{cite web |last1=Dutro |first1=Dave |title=Fat Ass Runs: A Brief History |url=https://outthereoutdoors.com/fat-ass-runs-a-brief-history/ |website=Out There Outdoors |access-date=29 July 2024 |date=28 March 2017}} The name of the event is derived from participants wanting to reduce weight after the holiday season. Fat Ass runs are typically held in late autumn or early winter.
Popularity
According to Runner's World, as of 2010, the "Fat Ass" concept was becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability compared to mainstream races and their less cut-throat vibe.{{Cite news |last=Arnold |first=Kaite |date=July 2010 |title=Satan is chasing me |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=51928697&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=2025-01-25 |work=Runner's World |via=EBSCOhost}}
References
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Further reading
- {{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=March 1997 |title=Fat Ass Founding Father – Joe Oakes |url=https://subscriber.ultrarunning.com/archive/article/fat-ass-50-km-mid-hudson-version/ |magazine=UltraRunning Magazine}}
- {{cite web |last1=Lacroix |first1=John |title=The Demise of the Fat Ass Series |url=https://humanpotentialrunning.com/from-the-rd/the-demise-of-the-fat-ass-series/ |website=Human Potential Running |access-date=29 July 2024}}