Sunday, December 28, 2014

GAC Fat Ass 50K Course Recon

With the 2015 GAC Fat Ass 50K just one week away I decided to check out the race's 10K loop in Bradley Palmer State Park. I was certain the many, often heavy rainstorms that occurred this month would have left the trails in less than idea condition. I was right, but the damage was far less than I expected. There is slight to moderate erosion on some of the carriage roads and a few water obstacles on the course. The worst trail erosion is between trail markers #17 and #22 ( see map below). The largest body of water to avoid has turned the small meadow between trail markers #66 and #67 into a small pond but I was able to make my way around it by bushwhacking a short distance in the adjacent woods.

GAC FA Course

Only way to cross the meadow is through the woods.

One more heavy rainfall could push the swamp overflow completely across Bradly Palmer Road.

Course elevation profile starting from Park HQ parking lot not official starting location near Highland St. entrance.

I'll be attempting my fourth 30K finish at the 2015 run (I've never make it through the full 50K). Unlike previous years, I'll be walking this time around but only if the snow holds off this week and there is no precipitation on race day. If either of these happen, I'll probably skip the race.

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