Weekly Rundown - September 2, 2020

September 2, 2020

Weekly Rundown – September 2, 2020

Weekly Rundown September 2, 2020

Results:

Baker Trail Ultra Challenge, Brookville, PA: Kathleen Cusick, women’s winner of the race and awesomist quadriceps, in 9:21, and the overall and men’s win went to Brenner Burkholder in 7h 29m for the 50.2 mile course.

(Virtual) Race to the Top of Vermont, Stowe, VT, 4.3, biggest fundraiser to benefit the Catamount Trail Association and support backcountry skiing in Vermont. Run up as much Vertical as you can between August 29 and August 30, to rack up entries for prizes.

Burke Lake 5k / 10k, in Burke Lake Park, VA to benefit the ARC of Northern Virginia, https://bishopsevents.com/event/2020-burke-lake-5k-10k/. 5k wins to David Brungard and Juliana Perry, and the 10’s to Alexis Espinoza and Jessica Connole

On the Social Media and Web World

On the Pain Cave this week:

Dr. and Coach Jay Friedman shoots 20 questions by our own Ellie Pell.

https://www.gunksrunner.com/paincave

“If you’re not familiar with Ellie, maybe you should be. Despite her youth she’s had a bevy of top-flight performances on both the road and trail, including a podium finish at JFK and a top-15 at the TNF championships, and she ran in the Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta in February. Find out how she approaches training, her go-to post-race meal, which Olympic sport she wishes she could compete in, and much more.”

MassUltra:

Great article entitled (Hike Across MA Aims to give visibility to marginalized Trans, Queer, Intersex Communities, on a 175 mile 10-day effort by Su Mittra)

https://massultra.com/2020/08/30/hike-across-ma-aims-to-give-visibility-to-marginalized-trans-queer-intersex-communities/?fbclid=IwAR0B3lOa1b3Asxv6JP_SYLSSukB_0HGmK2zoOqMMgbl46krt4eXDU7go8jo

VHTRC:

We’d reported on the small Duke study from a few weeks back that found gaiters actually could make transmission of particles worse with regard to COVID transmission. Of course there was quite a bit of backlash to that study, reported as it was. I’d missed a follow up article, this one titled “Save the Gaiters!” in the NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/well/live/coronavirus-gaiters-masks.html?searchResultPosition=1&fbclid=IwAR2cNUmUZbGv1nRubveMbHql0hcpgAu6DpHKJvAKfRL4xP5dv3UZ_WGkrw8

Takeaway – Gaiters, while not medical grade supression, still do a decent job of reducing particulates, and that a two-layer, or doubled over format, paired with a tight fit is the way to go. So, gaiter on….and for all you Patreon supporters…that means I can feel okay again sending out your Trails Collective swag with gaiter included.

Trail Sisters:

A really great article by Ohio runner and RD for Empower Ultras, Aneta (“Nettie”) Zeppettella, titled “First Known Time”. Will give you a taste with her closing, but really encourage you to take a minute and read Aneta’s article:

There are many trails out there that do not have Female FKTs set. Look them up. Go out, explore, don’t feel that you are not fast enough, that they are only for elite-level runners. Be brave to be first! Don’t downplay your abilities. If you ever win a race, age group, place on the podium, please do not say it was because the field was not deep, or others had a bad day. You do what you do because of what is within you. And maybe because you have a trail sister like I do who will support all of your crazy adventures.

https://www.trailsisters.net/2020/08/25/first-known-time/?fbclid=IwAR27e8f4dTnnlzHB6do6SKQQ_rsRjQ1uX2TIjB8itFgsM4oVrYcmBB5Sxws

FKT’s:

AT:

The beast and icon of the east, the 2,189 mile Applachian Trail, running from Georgia to Maine (or vice-versa), Liz “Mercury” Anjos, starting on July 7, and headed northbound in supported fashion, and finished in 51d 16h 30m, the second fastest woman in history behind Jennifer Pharr Davis (who picked it off in Southbound fashion).

CT:

Dan Bates 57m 36s for the Iron Trail

MA:

Justin Kousky, 3h 2m for the Cape Code Rail Trail

MD:

This one is awesome. Eric Thornton, the full on #BeastCoast Trans-Maryland route. This hard-fought victory shaved a mere 6 seconds off of the prior mark set by Evan Daney in January 2017, a bold move to go after one in January. I do believe this may be contested however, as Eric’s Strave segment comes up roughly 0.1 miles shorter than Evan’s, sufficiently shorter to account for the difference. Claimed to be “slightly uphill”, is no doubt an understatement. For, at 168’ of gain, you’re grinding every last juice of muscle memory to get over that summit in this Maryland crossing. Total new FKT time? 17m 6s for this beastly 2.75 mile crossing of Maryland. Which route was more accurate, who is truly the King of the the Trans-Maryland beast? Some say these two fine athletic powerhouses may be convinced to go at it one more time, in head to head, no holds barred format. Look for it in 2021.

ME:

Tess Hamilton, 5h 4m for the Women’s one-way unsupported mark for the gnarly Bigelow Range Traverse, shaving 27 minutes off of Kendra Gilbert’s time from 2019.

NH:

Jesse Wall, 10h 7m for the AMC 3 Huts Loop, at over 130 years old, the oldest Mountain Hut network in the US. Another one which looks and sounds beautiful, gaining 11,000’ over 26 miles, and covering the summits of Wildcat A & D, Gulf Peak, Mt. Washington, Clay, Jefferson, Adams, and Madison.

Grace Long, 30m loop, gaining 4250 ft, in 10h 31m for the Lake Sunapee Circumnavigation, a baseline unsupported female mark

NJ:

Lauren Longfield, 2h 4m for the Stonetown Circular, a 9.99 mile technical beast of a loop with 2500’ of gain for a baseline female supported mark.

NY:

David Kilgore, the 30 mile manhattan loop, circling the island, and setting a baseline men’s self-supported time of 3:43. Not so shappy Mr. Kilgore, not so shabby at all sir.

Nick Arndt, reclaiming his title for m’s Unsupported out-back of Hurricane Mountain in the ADK’s, gaining 1900 feet in 2.8 miles before dropping back down, shaving 42 seconds off of Steve Lange’s time from June of this year, to reclaim the FKT in 59m 58s

William Wells and Kristi Confortin, 3h 53m to take the Catskill Scenic Trail, shaving off 46 minutes off the prior mixed-gender team unsupported mark.

Elise Mordos, John Breznicky, and Trisha Ignatowski, 11h 24m for the Lake George 12ster, a baseline for a mixed gender team.

Daven Oskvig, 3h 47m for the Finger Lakes Trail – Letchworth Branch

PA:

AJ Palmer, 4h 14m for the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail

Daven Oskvig, 5:30 for the 33.3 miles with 5,300’ of climbing of the Gerard Hiking Trail in Oil Creek, trails used for the Oil Creek 100.

VA:

Kennedy Hall establishes the Female baseline for two loops on the paved Arlington Loop in D.C. area in 5h 12m

VT:

Laura Tuttle, 5h 19m for the Glastenbury / West Ridge Loop

Events Coming in the Week/s Ahead:

NYNJ Trails Conference’s TRAIL-A-THON: 100 MILES FOR 100 YEARS challenge, running between Sept. 14 – Oct. 31.

REGISTER HERE: https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Virtual/100Milesfor100Years

Trails give us so much: from respite to adventure to a pathway towards physical, mental, and emotional health. Our Trail-A-Thon is a chance to support safe and sustainable trails and healthy parks. Explore a favorite park, try out a new trail, take a lap around your neighborhood, or even hit a treadmill! While ticking off your miles, you’ll also have the opportunity to raise money for the Trail Conference and protect the land you love in the process. This event will help raise awareness and financial support to continue our mission for another 100 years.

Registration to accept the 100-mile challenge opens Aug. 31. This allows each participant time to set up a personal fundraising page, join a virtual team, and share your reason for accepting this challenge in honor of the Trail Conference. The official challenge is 100 miles, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do more–or less! The Trail-A-Thon is about getting outdoors, connecting with nature, and celebrating the Trail Conference’s 100 years of service. Trail-A-Thon participants are encouraged to reach out to family, friends, and colleagues to support your efforts in making an impact.

September 3

(Virtual) 5k Trail Run for Thorncroft, Malvern, PA, 5.0, https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Malvern/5kTrailRunforThorncroft

September 5

Last Man Standing, New Gloucester, ME, registration is closed: https://www.back40events.com/lastmanstanding

Dandelion Trail Run, Mifflinburg, PA, 5.0 / 10.0, a run in memory of the late Rev. Glenn Heasley whose favorite flower was the dandelion. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Mifflinburg/DandelionRun5k10kTrailRace

Black Bear Half Marathon, Waterville Valley, NH, 1.0 / 5.0 / 13.1, open to 100 participants in each event, and with a virtual option, registration closes out this Thursday, September 3: https://www.freshtracksracing.com/black-bear.html#

Salt Springs Field, Forest & Falls Trail Race, Montrose, PA, 5.0 / 10.0, registration also closing out this Thursday the 3rd: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Montrose/SaltSpringsTrailRace

September 12 (a pretty solid day on the trail calendar with a few really fun and inspiring options)

Water Gap Trail Runs, Milford, PA, 25k / 50k, http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=72855

Breakneck Point Trail Runs, Beacon, NY, 13.1 / 26.2: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=71766

Rock ‘N The Knob Trail Races at Blue Knob, Claysburg, PA, 10k / 13.1 / 26.2, “PA’s highest trail race” and “most challenging 10k in PA”, 55 spots remaining

Pine Creek Challenge, Wellsboro, PA, 26.2 / 50.0 / 100.0. Crosses through the beautiful Grand Canyon of PA along the scenic Pink Creek. An out-back rail-trail format, great for beginners or anyone looking for significant pain cave time in going for a fast time. Registration closes August 30th. https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=74639

Boulder Field 100, Jim Thorpe, PA, 18.0 / 50.0 / 100.0. Burly photo of the boulder field, and with 4k gain over 50k loop is solid, but not as technical or tough as some other PA races. They had to reduce their field size to 250 entrants and both entrant list and waitlists are both full. https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=73413

Mahoosuc Ridge to the River Challenge, Bethel, ME, 10.0 / 13.1 / 26.2: One which was on my radar if I hadn’t had to push back Breakneck Point, offers a 10k, Half, and Marathon, with the half marathon offering over 3,700 feet of vert, and the marathon at 7,400’ of gain, and covering nearly the entire ridgeline of Sunday River. https://www.ridge2river.me/

Odyssey Trail Running Rampage, Douthat State Park, VA, 6.0 / 13.1 / 26.2 / 40.0, “Racers will run along creeks with waterfalls and through Rhododendron covered tunnels engulfing the trails. A loop will have a total elevation gain of 2700’ over 13 miles, the majority of which will be gained in the first four miles.”. Looks like reg is either capped or closed. On the radar for 2021: https://raceroster.com/events/2020/26661/2020-odyssey-trail-running-rampage-presented-by-the-county-of-bath

VHTRC Women’s Half Marathon Trail Run, Fairfax, VA, 13.1

Tunxis Trail UltraMarathon, Burlington, CT, 8.0 / 30.0 / 60.0, still on to benefit the Burlington Land Trust and with solid COVID modifications: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=74600

Breaks UltraMarathon 45M Trail Run, Breaks, VA, 45 (https://nextopportunityevents.com/breaks): Another burley one with 12,000 feet of gain over 45 miles, and a course that sounds beautiful. “The Grand Canyon Of The South” is the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River and reaches craggy depths of over 1,600′. The Breaks Ultra trail race is an extreme challenge for any runner. Starting and finishing within Breaks Interstate Park in Virginia, the race takes runners back and forth across the Kentucky-Virginia border and up and over the ruggedly tough Pine Mountain numerous times. Your breath will be taken away by the beauty of the scenery and the extreme challenge of the terrain at the same time. Currently 177 registrants with reg still open at: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=71982:

FAAP Fall Classic 5K, Allison Park, PA, 5.0 / 10.0 / 20.0: http://faap5krace.yolasite.com/register-and-pay-online-here.php

September 13

Brad’s Bruiser, Pownal, ME, 12.0 – unclear if this one is running this year?

Macedonia Trail Race, Kent, CT, 7.3 / 25 / 50, Join me in running this one. “With its unparalleled singletrack and lush forest trails, challenging climbs/descents and two amazing viewpoints on course, the race offers trail runners a one of kind experience in the northwest part of Connecticut”, https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=75945

Where the Pavement Ends – a 4.25 mile hybrid – virtual event where you still run a designated course but within a larger window: https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Ridgefield/WherethePavementEnds

We’ll leave you this week with a voice from the collective. This one, from the amazing and worthy New York New Jersey Trails Conference.

Catch you next week!