Wow, what a great summer it has been so far for trail running in New England, and beyond! …..but boy has it been stinkin’ hot!

Congratulations to all the TARC members – too numerous to mention by name – who completed Western States 100, Umstead 100, Hardrock 100, Vermont 100, TRT 100, Death Races and a plethora of 50K and 50 milers over the past several months. We have had a tremendous showing of Animals at all trail runs and with fantastic finishes. And we have had more members giving trail running a try for the first time than ever before in 2011. The TARC Spring Classic, DRB 50K and 50 Miler, Wapack and Back and Fells Spring Trail Ultra all had record breaking participation rates. And the Trail Animal membership has swelled to over 500 critters in the pack!

But there is still much more coming your way this summer and fall……so read on and don’t miss out!

Standing Weekly Runs

Be sure to come out to one of our club’s standing weekly runs this summer and meet some of the other pack members. Go here: http://www.trailanimals.com/about/ to learn more.

Summer Classic 6 & 12 Hour Ultra – August 13^th – SOLD OUT ….but we need volunteers!

The next race in the TARC Trail Series, the inaugural TARC Summer Classic 12 and 6 Hour runs, is scheduled for Saturday August 13^th at 7 am in Medfield, MA, with parking at the Medfield Sportsman’s Club at 75 Noon Hill Road, a couple of hundred yards from the start at Holt Pond. This race is completely sold out. We would love to have a large herd of Animals come out and volunteer to ensure a successful first running! Volunteers will be needed to set up, man, and break down the aid station (there will only be one manned aid station), check in the runners at the start of the race, keep track of the loops the runners have completed, make sure the unmanned water drop stays supplied with water, clean up the course, etc. I will likely mark the course the prior evening, so will arrange volunteers for that separately. Given the length of the event, we would expect most volunteers would want to work only part of the race, which is certainly understandable. We are hoping to get at least 15 – 20 volunteers, some starting as early as 5:30 – 6:00 am and some staying until as late as 8:00 pm or so to clean up. If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know as soon as possible (indicating the hours you would be available) so that we can get a count and recruit volunteers from outside TARC if necessary. Please email Chris Haley at chrishaley100@hotmail.com if you can help the pack by volunteering.

TARC Fall Classic – October 8^th – Is Open For Registration

The TARC Fall Classic (10k, half, marathon and 50K options) is open for registration! You can go to: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=14070 and register for now – the race is to be held on Saturday, October 8^th in Lexington/Burlington, MA. It is highly likely this race will sell out so we urge you to sign up now while spots are still available. A low-key, low-frills, high-fun, and high-camaraderie event. No swag, no awards, and no whinning! We will ask everyone to bring some food to share at the aid station and will supplement with a variety of GU products, and some other special treats. Race results will go to Ultrarunning Magazine, Ultrasignup and Realendurance.com. Ideal trail race for those new to trail running as well as veteran ultra runners, as many people are yet to discover the location and trails. Distances offered: 10K, half-marathon, marathon and 50K. There will be a single aid station at start/finish. A limited number of technical short-sleeve t-shirts will be available for sale at runner check-in on race day until we run out. Be sure to bring bottle to carry hydration. Course Description: A tour of Burlington, MA’s Landlocked Forest, a true oasis tucked between 128 and Rt. 3. The LLF features a great mix of single track, bike trails, and is all runable. There is an out-and-back section from the start/finish, which will be the Estabrook School in Lexington, MA, easily reached off of 128/I-95. The course is a 10K loop that is 100% trails, with a good mix of rolling terrain.

TARC Fells Winter Trail Ultra – December 3^rd – Is Open For Registration

As our beloved RD describes this special event: “A nightmarish course of rocks and roots with a bit of elevation thrown in. The race uses the Skyline Trail for a lovely 8 mile loop. There is a water drop at the half way point. This race starts at sunrise and ends at sundown. You have probably never run anything like it, unless you have. Please bring something delicious for the aid station. Oh, and it is in December in New England. It will be cold. You will probably not want to get out of bed to come to it, so only sign up if you really, really want to run. See you at the starting line!”

Go here now to sign up soon as there are only 35 spots available!: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=14107

Thanks and happy trails!

Chris Haley, Josh Katzman, Bob Crowley, Steve Latour, Norm Sheppard