Weekly Trail Runs

Standing Trail Runs

Our membership has swelled to over 550 Animals – that’s a large pack for any beast to handle! And well over 70% of our members are new to trail running while we also sport one of the deepest rosters for ultra runners. So in any effort to try and meet the needs of the broadest number of members, while still preserving our heritage as a low-key, fun, social club, we are creating a few new and exciting options for weekly trail runs that we hope you will enjoy and partake in. Below are newly created “standing runs” in two locations around metro-Boston – one just north in the Middlesex Fells and one just west in the Blue Hills. We hope you will not be shy and come wander around the woods with us – although we are Animals we don’t bite . And our more experienced trail running members are anxious to meet and introduce many of our newer members to our bucolic trails, friendly spirits and fun loving Animals. We hope you will join us.

Standing Trail Training Runs for TARC Members – Beginning April 2nd, 2011

1. Middlesex Fells Reservation

WHAT: Trail running in the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

WHO: This is for novice Trail Animals, middle-pack runners, and the tough early-birds. All are welcome, though the easier running will be reserved for 9:00am and later.

WHEN: Starting April 2^nd, 2011 – Every Saturday morning.

Part 1: 7:30am – For those wanting to build their speed and endurance a tempo pace will be run focusing on moving continuously over the rugged course. Portions of the TARC Fells Ultra races will be covered, for those of you looking to learn the course – a big advantage come race day! Be sure to bring plenty of fuel to carry with you.

Part 2: 9:00am – For a more moderate run and those looking for a group to socialize with. No one is obligated to show, just as the main folks may not always be in attendance (this will be a rare occasion). The early group will make a loop back to the parking lot to pick up newcomers and fuel.
WHERE: Bellevue Pond Parking Area just off Route 93, on South Boarder Road. Bellevue Pond Parking should be opened within 1/2 hour of sunrise, definitely open by 9:00 every day. The alternative lot for the early-birds is the dirt lot just past (West) of the intersection of S. Border Rd and Governor’s Ave away from Bellevue Pond. The meeting grounds will always be Bellevue Pond, either by foot or wheels.

EXCEPTIONS: Weekends when TARC Trail Series races are on tap, the usual run organizers will not likely be in attendance at the training runs. Those dates are: March 26^th, April 17^th, April 23^rd, May 9^th, August 13^th, October 10^th and December 3^rd .

Contact run coordinator Sam Jurek if you have questions.

2. Blue Hills Reservation

WHAT: Trail running in the Blue Hills Reservation.

WHO: This is for novice Trail Animals, middle-pack runners, and the tough early-birds. All are welcome, though the easier running will be reserved for 9:00am and later.

WHEN: Starting April 3^rd, 2011 – Every Sunday morning.

Part 1: 7:00am – These runs are generally intended for those training for long, hilly trail races and will generally be at least 20+ miles at a 9 – 11 minute pace depending on the route. Sounds slow, but with all the hills and not so great footing at times, it’s a moderately intense pace that also builds in occasional stops to refuel or to admire the views. Often portions of the DRB 50k and 50 mile races are covered for those of you looking to learn those courses – a big advantage come race day! We run over to the Observatory Road on occasion to do hill repeats (0.9 mile hill; average 12% grade), walking some and running some (always running down). We may or may not be making loops back to the parking lot depending on what we are doing that day, so be prepared to carry fluids and calories. For some runs we may drop water jugs in advance along the trail at key intersections.

Part 2: 8:30am for a more moderate run and for those looking for a group to socialize with. No one is obligated to show, just as the main folks may not always be in. The early group may make a loop back to the parking lot to pick up newcomers and fuel, depending upon their route and plans for the day. Runners arriving at 8:30am should organize and take off on their own by 8:35am if no one from the early group show.

WHERE: Houghton’s Pond parking lot located just off Route 138 and Hillside Street in Milton at 840 Hillside Street Milton, MA 02186. We usually park towards the back of the lot near the woods on the right side near the playground equipment.

Contact run coordinator Chris “C1” Haley if you have questions.

Our History

After a decade hiatus, we’re back! The Trail Animals Running Club (TARC) is the original trail running club of the Boston-metro area. Founded in the 1990s, the club’s membership consists of men and women, who enjoy and participate in the sport of ultrarunning and trail runs. Members are from all over the United States with a concentration of runners in New England, Upstate New York and Canada.

Many members get together on weekends to run trails or compete in and/or organize trail running events. Our “home base” is the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, Ma. where we run every Sunday morning at 7:00 am. Members also run on trails in western suburbs of Medford, Weston and Wayland and the northern suburbs of the Middlesex Fells and Andover area along the Merrimack River.

In 1997, TARC sponsored it’s first ultra event – Don’t Run Boston 50K (“DRB”), held in the Blue Hills, led by race director, Howie Brienan and has run annually ever since on the 3rd Sunday in April, a day before the Boston Marathon. Originally it was meant to be an “alternative” run to the highly commercial pavement pounding Marathon but more and more members have raced DRB and then used the Marathon as a “warm down” the following day.

Membership is free and the trail humor is priceless. We welcome anyone who is interested in trail running to join and come run with us.

Questions? Contact us at imbc@comcast.net. See you on the trails!