Temperatures remained above 100 degrees this week as the 43rd annual Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred began in Wichita Falls.
The Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred began Thursday with the consumer show and registration at MPEC.
The Wee-Chi-Tah off-road mountain bike trail races and the Rug Rat race continued Friday’s events, and then early Saturday morning the Endurance Ride officially started for the 100-milers and others.
The trail began in downtown Wichita Falls and extended west to Electra, north through Burkburnett, and northeast near the Red River.
And of course, during all races, riders must have the opportunity to stop to rest and escape the intense heat, which is why Hotter’N Hell has set up 19 rest areas along the course, staffed by volunteers.
A special rest stop, known as “Hell’s Gate,” is located at 1004 S. Red River Expressway in the parking lot of the temporarily closed Braum’s in Burkburnett.
At the rest stop, the Burkburnett High School band and honor guard performed, waving colorful flags to the rhythm of the music as drivers passed by. A giant inflatable Hotter ‘N Hell was on display, signaling to drivers that the rest stop was nearby.
The rest stop offered spectators a safe opportunity to cheer on the drivers up close from the side of the road.
After crossing, the course split into two directions, one for the 100-mile riders and one for the 75-mile riders.
At around 5:50 p.m., the last rider in the Hotter’N Hell Hundred race crossed the finish line and the HHH Event/Emergency Operations Center was deactivated, city spokesman Chris Horgen said in a news release.
HHH officials closed Hell’s Gate at noon because of a high, dangerous wet bulb temperature, Horgen said.
The wet bulb temperature is used as a measure of heat stress for people who are active in direct sunlight.
In addition, the medical director called for all 100-mile riders to be redirected to the 100-kilometer route if they had not passed this checkpoint, Horgen said.
There were 13 medical patients. Of these, 11 were taken to hospital and none of them were in critical condition. Seven patients were injured and required later treatment and six had minor injuries or illnesses.
These figures only include patients who received comprehensive medical assistance from first responders during the journey.
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Interim editor Trish Choate contributed to this report.
