Bob Hearn on his way to a course record at the Last Annual Vol State 500K

Laz Lake’s Last Annual Vol State 500K began on Friday, and American ultra runner Bob Hearn has taken the lead in what is looking to be an astonishing race. According to Laz’s Sunday morning update, Hearn had reached the three-day check-in with a 7-mile lead on the overall record pace, and it is looking like he will shatter the Vol State crewed record, without a crew.

RELATED: Ultrarunner sets women’s course record, wins overall Vol State 500K crown

Like all of Laz’s events, the Vol State is not your typical ultramarathon. Participants begin by taking a ferry ride across the Mississippi River, from Missouri to Kentucky, where the race starts. The 500-kilometre course takes them along highways and backroads, from one small town to the next, over hills and across rivers, up mountains and down long valleys until they reach “the Rock,” high atop Sand Mountain in Northeast Georgia. There are no aid stations, and runners must account for their own basic needs, like food, water and shelter. Runners have a maximum of 10 days to finish the race, or they are disqualified.

72 hours into the race Bob Hearn (s) is at 295 miles, Bev Abbs (s) is at 239, Ariela and Daniel Flory (c) are at 237. Beth Budden has dropped. The McHenri are three miles behind Oprah. 19 runners have dropped; 87 are on the road. #LAVS500k #VS500k

— LAVS500K (@LAVS500K) July 11, 2021

After 72 hours, Hearn has completed more than 474 kilometres and is currently leading by 90 kilometres, followed by Canadian runner Beverley Anderson-Abbs, who’s run 384 kilometres after three days. After a round of storms and intense heat over 35 C, 19 of the 106 runners who started the race, 19 have dropped out and 87 are still on the course.

RELATED: Canadian sets new women’s course record at Vol State

With less than 15 kilometres to go, Hearn should complete the race today and is well on his way to setting a course record.