With the 5th running of the Gore-Tex Trans Alpine Run (“TAR”), Patrick (23) and Brian (59) Lawler form “Team Awesome” to mountain run from Oberstdorf Germany to Latsch ( or “Laces”) Italy in 8 days.

Anne and Brian’s brother Kevin Lawler (below left) form the all-important support crew. They see us off in the morning when the starting gun goes off.  They pack our bags, drive the narrow winding mountain roads to the next town, find the hotel, unpack the car, and then await our arrival at the Finish Line, where they greet us weary runners with  much needed smiles and nourishment.  We love them!  We cannot thank them enough for their support.

Brian has run the TAR twice before in 2007 and 2008.  This year, Patrick, who has recoverable from a major ACL injury, is able to join him for his first ever mountain run experience.  Pat is young and strong.  Brian will rely on experience.  Both have trained hard for months on trails in the mountains of Washington and Idaho. They  are ready to start.

More about the TAR appears on the next pages, “About the TAR” and “About the Course.”