8-Hour Dream Endurance Race Brings ‘Dreams’ and New Course Records

July 22, 2021

Seventh annual event at Butler University brings a record crowd from 13 states

CARMEL, Ind. (July 22, 2021) – Participants made their way through the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis in perfect conditions on Saturday, July 16 for the seventh annual 8-Hour Dream Endurance Race and Cat Nap 5K. The sold-out event, one of six CRRG Events signature races, produced new course records for both solo and team divisions along with the highest percentage of runners achieving the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles. The Dream is scored based on the total distance covered during the eight-hour time frame.

More than 200 solo participants from 13 states lined up to test their stamina utilizing the event’s unique format of offering long (3.1 miles) and short (1.89 miles) course loops. Participants chose which course to run each lap based on strategy against competition, course conditions and weather conditions, racking up laps throughout the eight-hour time frame. In addition, more than 40 teams took turns on the course, with teammates cheering from the 100-plus tents erected in a tent village outside Hinkle Fieldhouse. The day finished with closing ceremonies that included podium award presentations, a complimentary cookout and a bluegrass band.

“This is a such a unique event,” said Todd Oliver, race director for CRRG Events. “The atmosphere is relaxed and everyone comes out to hang out, enjoy the camaraderie, and of course get in a few—or lots—of miles. We have a strong ‘returning runner’ percentage which factors into the five consecutive years of sellouts. We love staging the event and they keep coming back for more. Butler University is a wonderful host venue and it never gets old seeing the iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse every lap. We have started getting requests to replicate the event on other college campuses but the beauty of Butler will be hard to find.”

Podium results for the solo event include:

Men’s race

First place – Aaron Kremer, 55.46 miles, 7:50:07.40 total time, 8:29/mile
Second place – Carter Dodd, 54.59 miles, 7:54:35.86 total time, 8:42/mile
Third place – Tian Wang, 50.62 miles, 7:57:33.67 total time, 9:26/mile

Women’s race

First place – Shea Aquilano, 51.83 miles, 7:50:33.98 total time, 9:05/mile
Second place – Lauren Manuel, 46.82 miles, 7:55:14.92 total time, 10:09/mile
Third place – Kay Richardson, 42.33 miles, 7:34:25.78 total time, 10:44/mile

Additional course records include:

Overall male – Aaron Kremer, 55.46 miles
Overall female – Shea Aquilano, 51.83 miles

Female Grand Masters – Cathy Downes (aged 53), 40.60 miles
Male Grand Masters – Tian Wang (aged 51), 50.62 miles

Female Senior Grandmasters – Nita Wessel (aged 62), 38.35 miles

The RC Cup Championship – Fishers Runners Club (6-member co-ed team), 73.41 miles

CRRG Events has continued to set records and reach new milestones in 2021, with six course records set at its signature Carmel Marathon Weekend event in April and record attendance in Montana’s Whitefish Marathon in May.

Full results for the 2021 8-Hour Dream Endurance Race and Cat Nap 5K are available at 8HourDream.com. More information on the 2021 and 2022 CRRG Events race lineup can be found at CarmelRoadRacingGroup.com.

About CRRG Events:

CRRG Events is an event management and production company with more than 20 years of producing successful running events. Based in Carmel, Indiana, CRRG Events has staged and managed events across 11 states ranging from a 1-mile football halftime race to ultramarathons. For more information, please visit CarmelRoadRacingGroup.com.