Trails Collective

Trails Collective Weekly Rundown | February 19, 2021

Weekly Rundown of the Northeast Trail Running World

February 19, 2021

In this week’s TC Live Interviews Series, I connected with Gene Dykes, the Benjamin Button of running. The older he gets, the seemingly faster and longer he’s running. With a 2:54 marathon at age 70, over a hundred of marathons and ultramarathons in the past 10 years, and a 250 mile trail event slated for this year, he’s pretty incredible. We touch on dispelling some of the top myths from his vantage point. Check it out!

In other Media

CULTRA released episode 115 on February 12^th, with Brodie Sharpe from the Run Smarter Podcast, and #116, Grateful Fred, a musical lesson in Jackassing. The PainCave released episode 79, The Shoe Draft with Bryon Powel and myself. “We’ve drafted ultrarunning fantasy teams, we’ve drafted the elements of the perfect aid station, and now we’re drafting the perfect shoe closet. Bryon Powell of iRunFar and Ian Golden of the Trails Collective join Phil and I for a brief state-of-the-sport discussion before we select our favorite all-time shoes in each of eight different categories. Charge your flux capacitors and gas up your DeLoreans, we’re taking you back to 1993…and even a little farther. Vote here for the winner of our inaugural shoe draft!”

Results

Saturday, February 13^th:

Mt. Tom Challenge

One that wasn’t on my radar was the Tyoga Running Club’s Mt. Tom Challenge in Wellsboro, PA, an event that challenges you to repeat climb 1100 feet to overlook the PA Grand Canyon. I checked in with Sam (video) to break down the event and her day.

The Valentines in the Pines Trail 4 Miler

The VITP put on by the Batona Races crew went down in Beachwood, NJ. UltraSignUp’s been a bit glitchy this week and unsure if results are erroring or just not loaded yet but should be here.

Squirrely Tail Twail Wun ½ Marathon

Squirrely Tail Twail Wun ½ Marathon ran in Lewisberry, PA. Of 80 finishers David Schofield took the win in 1:31 with Kelsey Horowitz for the women in 1:44.

Holiday Lake 50k++ 25k/50k

The Holiday Lake 25k / 50k ran despite the ice storm blanketing the region. 160 of 169 starters finished the day in slippery, wet, icy conditions. Taking the 50 wins were Jana Fridrichova in 5:22 and, for the men, Daniel Rau taking the win with a near literal win in 4:21:45 to Jordan Chang’s 4:21:48. Jordan ran really well in December at Hellgate, finishing 2nd there as well. A win no doubt would have been nice for the effort on this round. Huge props to all the volunteers out there.

The Algonquin 50k

The Algonquin 50k with DUC bonus in Maryland also went down in pretty rough conditions. For the DUC, 15 finishers with Kurt Foster on top in 12:15, and Alex Thompson for the women’s win in 15:18. For the 50k, of 140 finishers, Ben Quatromoni with the win in 3:56 with top women’s spot going to Holly Smith in 4:28. Both of those marks are the third fastest run on that course. Taking us a bit through the weekend are the ringmasters for that circus, Trent and Gabe.

And, from an often overlooked vantage point, reflections in from friend Grayce Langheine where sometimes, it’s just not the day out there.

Upcoming Events

February, 21^st

Valley Trail Series

Valley Trail Series Winter Race #5 is slated to run in Alpine, NJ. It offers 12, 6, and 4 miler options with registration here.

February 28th

Swammie Shuffle 200

The Swammie Shuffle 200 will run in Virginia Beach, VA, with registration here. The Swammie Shuffle is an event to honor a fallen veteran, and raise awareness of PTSD and depression confronting countless others. Awareness and funds are raised for Mission 22 and the resources they provide to our veterans.

March 7^th

Mid-Maryland Trail Festival

Mid-Maryland Trail Festival’s 50k is slated to run in Elkridge, MD on March 7th. Registration is still live and a steal at only $29.

The UltraSignUp Hot List

Spring on the Trails Endurance Runs

SOTT’s 6 hour, set for March 28^th in Lagrangeville, NY is 98% Full. Register for the last few spots here.

Miner’s Lady

Miner’s Lady 8 Hour in Harper’s Ferry, WV. Slated to run on July 31^st, registration just opened on January 17^th and is showing 97% Full. Miner’s Lady is an 8 Hour run over a beautiful 10K loop with 850 ft of elevation gain. The course meanders through the mountains, mostly single track with a few waterfalls and creek crossings in the backwoods of Harpers Ferry, WV. Register for the last few spots here.

Substitute Single Squatch

Sassquad Running’s SSS 11 mile’s (10 am window), slated for March 14^th in Mahwah, NJ is 96% Full. Nab a remaining spot here.

Run Ragged

Run Ragged, a Last Person Standing event slated for May 29^th in Berlin, CT is 86% Full. Only 7 slots still remain. Guessing you’d want to get on that now if interested.

The Canyonman 100

The Canyonman 100 is a mult-sport off-road event riding, running, and paddling around Ansonia, PA. Paddle 19 miles on Pine Creek from Ansonia to Rattlesnake Rock; Run 31 miles on West Rim Trail back to Ansonia; Bicycle 50 miles via forestry roads to Rattlesnake Rock and then Rail-Trail back through the canyon once again to Ansonia for the finish. Registration is up 7% this week to being 93% Full. That should fill I’d guess by this weekend. Register here.

Registrations Opening Next Week

February, 19th

Run Wild 20 Miler in Barboursville, WV scheduled to run September 25^th

February 24^th

Sundown Trail Run 6 miler in Alpine NJ, scheduled to run April 25^th.

FKT’s

CT:

Scott and Debbie Livingston, 1h 34m for the Norwalk River Valley Trail, an opening mixed gender mark.

Closing Out with a Hurricane

And taking you out with a clip on behalf of a trail race series out of West Virginia with some cool options on deck.

Catch you next week!