Joe Fuller wants to be clear — he doesn’t believe in the legend.
The Legend of the Skunk Ape, a.k.a. The Florida Bigfoot.
Despite there being several reported sightings of Skunk Ape since the 1960s — including in the Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area, where Fuller calls his home trail-running track — Fuller isn’t worried about running into the supposed 6-foot-9, 600-pound, foul-smelling, hairy, ape-like creature, which, according to lore, ran upright on two legs, occasionally near Dade City.
“I don’t (believe in it), but I thought the name was perfect since we do all the races in the Green Swamp,” the former Saint Leo cross-country runner said. “I went on a lot of long runs in there, always really enjoyed it, and I would still run out there after graduating.
“There was no one ever out there except me,” Fuller added. “I never saw many people on those trails, but I wanted to bring people to them so they can love them and enjoy them as much as I do.
“It was a lot of great miles to share with people.”
That’s why, in 2018, Fuller founded Skunk Ape Events — as a way to connect the running community and show his fellow avid runners, of both trail and ultra events, the beautiful, natural splendor of the Green Swamp.
Fuller wanted to share what he saw with every run through the Green Swamp Trails, but he also wanted it to be all-inclusive. When Skunk Ape hosts runs, it’s a “come one, come all atmosphere.”
“It doesn’t matter what pace you run, your size and shape, experience level,” he added. “Or whether you run the entire race, walk the whole thing, or crash and burn. What does matter is that the runners are experiencing an enjoyable time on the trails, surrounded by those who are supportive and empowering.
“We do get a lot of those who have not tried trail running, but the events are very laid back, very inviting for all.”
One major difference from Skunk Ape running events and others is that Fuller says he will wait at the finish line for every runner, whether they’re in first or last. It’s a no-pressure atmosphere for those who just want to run through the Green Swamp terrain that features such elements as a grass plain field, cypress areas and even rolling hills with sugar sand.
“It might be just my dad and I waiting for you, but we won’t take down the finish line until the last person has crossed,” Fuller said. “We have no time cutoffs. We want anyone who can finish to have that finish-line moment. There are slower runners, and there is nothing wrong with that. Even if it’s 1 or 2 a.m., everything — the flags, line, tables, food and water — will be there for whoever finishes.”
And while the finished runners wait, they’ll mingle about at the post-race potluck, in which every runner provides food or drinks.
Fuller says just about every race in the past year has sold out, which he credits to the trails and running-community atmosphere. But also the price to participate.
Fuller pointed out when he graduated from college, he found many running events were out of his price range.
“They were too expensive for me,” he added. “So, I think this is a race that anyone in any situation can and will find affordable. With this running community, these are more like events than a race, which I think people like a lot, too.”
That much was evident when Skunk Ape hosted its fourth annual Night Run on July 22, which brought hundreds out to the Green Swamp to see runners complete a 30K course. The run started at 7 p.m., giving the runners about two hours of daylight before switching over to body lights and finishing the race in near total darkness.
“When the sun goes down,” Fuller said, “the runners will experience listening to the drone of frogs from all over the swamp, hoots from the owls, calls from birds, buzzing of bugs and, sometimes, the yips of coyotes in the distance.”
The event, which was kicked off by Dade City Commissioner Ann Cosentino, had winners in age groups from 20 to 70 and even raised more than $500 for a local Title 1 school so kids in the running programs can afford shoes or cross-country spikes for the upcoming school year.
It was another Skunk Ape Events race as legendary as its namesake.
“The thing that brings the trail-running community together is the environment, both on the trail and runners,” Fuller said. “Most likely, if you look at the runner in first and in second, if one of them falls down, the other is going to go back and help the runner that fell. You see that a lot, especially on trail running.
“So, the most rewarding part, for me, as the race director, is to see people finish and have that finish-line moment,” he added. It’s all about the supporters and runners and volunteers that create the environment, make the magic happen.
“As long as a Skunk Ape sighting doesn’t happen.”
Wild Boar Night Run – Half Marathon, presented by Skunk Ape Events
When: Sept. 16
Where: Green Swamp – West Tract, 13347 Ranch Road, Dade City
Cost: $20 and a potluck
Details: A casual, old-school race with no time cutoffs. Runners will run a cross-country trail and return back for a potluck recovery meal and celebration.
For more information on upcoming events or to register, visit SkunkApeEvents.weebly.com.
Published August 23, 2023
