This Weekend on the Trails

The trail racing scene is beginning to heat up here in the northeast so I thought I would start my weekly posting of area races.

Saturday, April 24:

Whale of a 5k Trail Race  Rye, NH - This cross-country trail run was created by Eastern Mountain Sports' Extreme Team captain, Jennifer Shultis, and will bring you through the forest, rocky shore, sandy beach, and alongside historic military fortifications.

MuddySneaker 20K Trail Run  Naples, NY - The MuddySneaker is a trail run in the high wilderness area in the finger lakes region of  New York State. It has some of the most rapid elevation loss and gain of any trail run in the region. During the MuddySneaker it is possible that you can encounter any or all of the following hazards: Rocks, Roots, Snow, Ice, Crawling under logs, Crawling over logs, Stream Crossings, Oversize chickens and other wild creatures. If you are wishing to do a 20K run and want to compete against the clock and are hoping to set your PR you may want to look elsewhere. If however you want to test yourself against nature and your own will to finish this is the race for you.

Woods & Lakes Trail Run 5K & 10K Mountian Lakes, NY - The course is a scenic, mostly flat loop through woods and around lakes. Running surfaces will include macadam walk-ways, gravel paths and scenic wooded trails. There may be mud, logs, and other challenging obstacles.

Sybil Ludington 50K Run Carmel, NY - The course travels a single loop which follows essentially the route ridden by Sybil on the night of April 26, 1777 as she rode to rouse her father’s militia against the British. The route comprises country roads - some poor surfaces - and some dirt roads. There are three hills each with nearly 500’ net height difference over start and finish.

Sunday, April 25

Blue Hills Trail Race 10M & 3M  Milton, MA - The 10 mile race offers a mix of double and single-track trails with some hilly and rocky stretches. There are three water stops.  The 3 mile course offers easier terrain on wide paths--but this is still a trail race, with plenty of small rocks and tree roots along the way! There is one water stop.

Jack Bristol Lake Waramaug Ultra Marathon 50K, 50M &100K (Roads) New Preston, CT - The course is slightly rolling loops around scenic Lake Waramaug. There is a 2.2 mile out and back at the beginning of the race for all runners. The 50K runners will then do three 7.6 mile laps around the lake followed by a 1.9 mile out and back to the finish at the State Park. The 50 mile runners will complete six laps around the lake and finish at the State Park. The 100K runners will do seven laps around the lake followed by a 2.3 mile out and back to finish at the State Park. All three of the races are USATF certified.

Have fun!