Story Published:
Feb 1, 2012 at 7:00 AM CST
Story Updated:
Feb 13, 2012 at 1:14 PM CST
NOTE: The photos with the actual dawning (and several others) were taken by veteran Death at Dawner (and official staff member) Janet Coonce. (Janet's pictures bring home what Death at Dawn is all about, and the photography is fantastic.)
Winding down its second (and final week) for it's 2012 winter camp, Death at Dawn drew the largest crowd ever. Up from nearly 160 participants last August (the summer camp) the DaD has increased a little more than 50% in size to 260 brave souls who make exercising before sunrise look fun and really cool.
These enthusiasts arrive between 5:15 a.m. and 5:29 a.m. and sign in. Perfect attendance earns a t-shirt. Some have earned a closet-full. Larry and Tracy Epps began this exercise movement in Cookeville some nine years ago for their daughter to get in shape for her spot on the Cookeville High Soccer Team.
And while the group is still mostly high school students (most of whom are in various sports programs at the school) the college students and adult population (including some senior adults) seem to increase proportionally with the size of the growing group.
Another popular feature this January was that the Overall Field lights (at Tennessee Tech University) were turned on. Some "old-timers" were overheard saying that the lights being on took the thrill out of bounding up and down the icy, rain-slicked bleachers in the dark, but generally most people felt it was an improvement.
The morning these photos were taken there was a fine, freezing mist falling that can be seen in some of the photos--especially evident in the running-of-the-bleachers photos. However, some mornings featured some stunning sunrise activity as the groups rocketed to the end of their workouts.
There are four levels for DaD with the first level being the most rigorous and the fourth being fairly active, but a little less pressure. The event lasts for an hour after which the group disbands and goes to school or work.
Founder Larry Epps praised volunteers of this particular event: Rick Fagen, Robert Ward, Lee Kent, Janet Koonts, Terry Richardson, Steve Richardson, Celeste Gammon, Tracey Epps, Chris Thacker, Mary Ellen (aka “the fast one”), and Lee Bailey.
And organizers want to point out, thankfully, nobody has ever actually died at "Death at Dawn."
