Remember When Wichita Falls Almost Hosted a Rocking Chair Marathon?

Back in the day, someone thought a rocking chair marathon would be a perfect event in Wichita Falls for a celebration. That person should have been fired.

Time for one of my favorite Wichita Falls stories. In case you didn't know, Wichita Falls was founded in 1882. Quick fun fact, the 'famous' waterfall our town was named after was destroyed in 1886. So our namesake literally lasted four years. To celebrate 100 years of Wichita Falls in 1982, the city wanted to do something special. A marketing team came up with a rocking chair marathon.

What is a Rocking Chair Marathon?

Unsplash: Elena Kloppenburg

Apparently a big thing in the 1920's and 1930's was competitions to see who could sit in a rocking chair the longest. The rule is that the chair has to keep rocking and the last one to get up is the winner. WOO HOO! 100 years of Wichita Falls and we're going to have a rocking chair marathon! Thank goodness a man by the name of Roby Christie had an idea before this mess took place.

Roby Christie Suggests Wichita Falls Do a 100 Mile Bike Ride

Dave Diamond

Roby Christie was a part of a cycling club in Wichita Falls and he thought a 100 mile bike ride for 100 years of Wichita Falls was a unique way to celebrate the centennial. Roby and the cycling club helped create what is now known as the Hotter'N Hell Hundred. The original ride in 1982 got over 1,000 people to take part in the event.

When is the Hotter'N Hell Hundred in 2026?

HH100 Facebook

The ride is always the last weekend in August. So this year the event will be taking place on August 29th, 2026. This is also the first year for the new medals where you will be building the state of Texas (pictured above). Finish the ride every year through 2031 to earn a piece of the puzzle. You can get signed up for this year's event here.