July 17, 2010 - The skies were lighting up like fireworks during the night at the Vermont 100 in Woodstock, VT while the trails were being burned up by numerous TARC members.  Runners were treated to a heat lightning display of oranges and reds on the horizon that provided a dramatic backdrop to the rolling Green Mountains in the distant.  Meanwhile the heavens opened to a galaxy of stars that guided the weary runners towards the finish - the big dipper hanging low just above the horizon.

TARC had a plethora of members toeing the line this year and all those hours of training runs and races leading up to the big event seemed to have paid off.  We witnessed not only an 85% finish rate but three finish their inaugural 100 miler!

Congratulations to Ron Farkash (20:23), Norm Sheppard (23:48) and Sherpa John LaCroix (28:58) as well as first-time 100 miler finishers Kristen Evan (27:54), Steve Latour (29:11) and Kevin “KZ” Zelechoski (29:14).  You guys showed us how its done and rocked it! [My apologizes in advance if I’ve missed other TARC member finishers).

Many Animals made the trek to Silver Hill for camping out and the race.  We had a “Trail Animal village” of sorts in the meadow.  In addition to the above Chris “C1″ Haley was volunteering at aid station mile 92 during the evening and treated himself to a couple of solo long runs in the backwoods of Vermont as part of his injury recovery regime.  Chris “C4″ Martin and Christine “C5″ Mathieu crewed and paced for Steve “The Rock” Latour, Michelle Roy, Emily Trepas and Bill Howard crewed and paced for KZ and Tim Reif ran with Kristen Evan - making it to mile 77 himself.  Bruce Giguere, just off his spectacular sub 24 Western States was crewing for a couple of Shenipsit Striders.  Pat Wheatley, Chris “C3″ Martin, Steve “Old Goat” Pero, Kevin Sullivan and yours truly all volunteered to pace runners starting at Camp 10 Bear (mile 70).  I know there were many more Animals volunteering but these are the ones I remember seeing!

All the results for Vt100 can be found here

Also congrats to Howie Breinan for his 25:32 finish at the Tahoe Rim Trail 100, finishing a blazing 12th place overall!

DRB 50K and TARC 50 Miler

By Josh Katzman

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood . . .

- Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken

In comparison to the dilemma confronting the immortal Robert Frost, runners of the 14^th Annual Don’t Run Boston (DRB) 50K and the inaugural Trail Animals Running Club (TARC) 50 Miler face an exponentially more daunting calculation. For they are, often, not faced with a mere two roads diverging; nay, they oft are presented four roads diverging at an intersection, further blessed with multiple paths, generally traveled only by deer, leading to hidden corners of the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, MA, and all of these paths appear to double back, entering the same intersection at new angles. While Frost had the luxury of choosing the single path proving less traveled, at most of the DRB and TARC intersections, the majority of the paths are not traveled (save by those deer).

Last year I was a neophyte to the race, drawn by its sheer simplicity and price: no entry fee, no SWAG, just running. I got one piece of advice at the start line (following the creed of simplicity, drawn in the sand next to Houghton’s Pond by RD Howie Breinan): find someone who knows the course and don’t lose them! After finishing last year (by following said advice), I got some more advice at the finish: learn the course and come back next year. Following that advice proved key for this year’s 50K. However, I had signed up for the inaugural 50 miler, and had spent no time on the last 19 miles. Oh, Mr. Frost, how I envy the simplicity of your choice . . .

This year’s affair saw close to 50 adventurous souls toe the line in two waves – a 6:00 AM start for those tackling the 50 miler and wanting an early 50K start (this wave was marked by two things: remarkably cheery folks given the drizzle, and the introduction of SWAG – coupons for Eastern Mountain Sports), and 8:00 AM for those sticking to the 50K. An equally adventurous crew of volunteers stocked the main aid table (more or less the back of someone’s car), at miles 13, 16, and 26, made key drops for runners along the course, and didn’t seem fazed by the nearly continual drizzle all day. The two runs follow the same route for the first 50K – one that is completely unmarked and roughly resembles an anaconda wrapping itself around its prey. The one section of the course that follows a named/marked trail – the Skyline Trail - for any real length of time (about 6 miles) – and is therefore nearly impossible to get lost on – is also some of the most gnarled, rock strewn, root studded terrain you can find , with a few good climbs thrown in for fun (leading some to dub DRB the “mini-Massanutten”).

Despite (because of?) the challenges of navigating the course, DRB and the 50 miler bring out the true ethos of the Trail Animals Running Club: “No Animal gets left behind.” Looking at the finishing times, it is clear that folks work together – most people finish in packs of 2 – 4. Although I ran solo most of the day, I had the pleasure of running with Ken for the first 7 miles or so, and I was repeatedly buoyed by the volunteers at central aid station and by other runners at the intersections during the 50K. And then I started the last 19 miles . . .

Going into the final miles of the TARC 50 I knew my mindset had to change from the 50K, a course that I had come to know. I approached these last 19 miles (split into an “easy” 6-mile loop, and a circuitous 13 mile loop) more like a running scavenger hunt, expecting to accumulate significant “bonus” miles, while I searched the woods for the ever absent trail markers/numbers, and expecting to not see any other Animals. At least miles 31 – 37 would be an easy, flat and fast loop around Ponkapoag Pond at the southern end of the reservation. After spending nearly 5 hours diligently concentrating on navigating, I was confident I could follow a flat path clockwise around the perimeter of a large body of water. I am no Mr. Frost however, and for the first time all day got off course, at arguably the easiest intersection in the race (where, poetically, two paths diverge), and began running counter-clockwise (thinking the whole time, “I should be going the other direction.”). I recovered (after picking up my first half mile bonus), and enjoyed the calm, easy running around the pond – no roots or rocks to potentially cause bodily harm (there were a few golfers at one point, but they were on the green, about 100 yards away), not too many intersecting trails to confuse – and returned to the car in good spirits (and time), confident that I could break 8 hours for the 50.

The final 13 miles of the TARC 50 take runners on a journey to the far northeastern section of the Blue Hills, and come replete with a beautiful description, written by course designer Bob Crowley. Here are some highlights: “Another confusing intersection of multiple trails.” “There is NM [no-marker] for 4048 . . . Lots of downed trees to hop over. You’ll feel like you’re running in a riverbed.” “This trail too can be hard to follow.” “This trail will follow along the base of the rock (looks like a deer path).” The description does not do the trails justice however, as they proved to be immensely enjoyable and runnable (save for those downed trees, stopping to navigate, and deer droppings). I got into a rhythm of basically running between intersections, stopping, checking the map, reading the description, running, and so on. It took a lot of time (but kept the legs fresh throughout) and I came to accept I would be nowhere near 8 hours. Because of this narrative I only made a few errant turns that were easily and quickly corrected. My self-laminated map (with narrative) became my security and savior. At some points I would run for twenty minutes with it in my hand, almost believing it to hold special powers that could guide me in the right direction, much like a dowsing rod. Of course, at what should have been one of the easier sections – a road crossing around mile 47 – my map (not my weak mind/mounting fatigue) failed me and I stood/ran in circles for 16 minutes, thoroughly convincing myself that the map was wrong. I crossed and re-crossed the road. I followed this path and that. I felt frustration quickly mounting.

But perseverance (and bushwhacking) led to the covered picnic area next to Chickatawbut Tower, and what became my favorite stretch of the 50 miles. It wasn’t easy to follow or necessarily the most scenic – some of it was along a chain link fence, and the final mile or two parallel a road – but it was relatively smooth, I got a couple of pokes of sunlight through the clouds, and I finally knew where I was going if any “roads diverged in a wood.” Just to be safe though, I kept my map in hand, because I wanted to take the trail traveled by the Animals. And it led me to the pack, cheering and pointing the way for the final ½ mile – and a celebration that featured no awards, but a great pot of potatoes cooked by a TARC member who wasn’t even running.

14^th Annual Trail Animals Don’t Run Boston 50K and  Inaugural TARC 50 mile

Sunday April 18, 2010       Low to high 40’s.  On and off showers all day.

5000+’ of climb in 50K  Non-repeated winding trails.

About 6000+’ climb in 50 mile.

Official Race Results   DRB50K (Times truncated to the minute)

1.         Josh Katzman, MA                4:56 *@

2. tie    Jeff List, MA                         5:52

2. tie    Jeff Vogel, MA                     5:52

4. tie    Steve Pero, NH                     6:06

4. tie    Paul Funch                             6:06

4. tie    Bogie D, MA                         6:06

7.         Mike Camarillo, TX               6:18 #

8. tie    Howie Breinan, CT               6:20 @

8. tie    Mark Buongiorno, CT           6:20 @

10.       Greg Stone, MA                    6:48 #

11. tie  Chris Martin, MA                  6:52@

11. tie  Giles Gregory, MA                6:52@

13.       Eric Nelson                            6:54

14.       Paul Lanham, MA                 6:55

15. tie  Deb Pero, NH  (F)                 7:27

15. tie  Rich Collins, NH                   7:27

17. tie  Bob Crowley, CA                 7:39 #

17. tie  Norm Sheppard, NH             7:39 #

19.       Chris Shanley, MA                  7:47 #

20.       Damon Steed                         8:32

21.       Doug Caverly, MA                8:32

22.       Peter Copela                          8:33

23.       Al Catalano, MA                   8:35

24. tie  Tim Reif, MA                        8:57 @

24. tie  Kristen Evan, MA (F)           8:57 @

26. tie  Michelle Roy (F), MA           9:29 #

26. tie  Kevin Zelechoski, MA          9:29 #

28.       Randy Witlicki, VT               9:37

29.       Bradley Schwartz, IL            9:40 #

30. tie Craig Wilson, (ME) 8:20 (26 miles)

30. tie Charlie Zerbinopoulos, (NH) 8:20 (26 miles)

(?? starters)

*old course record:  Gary Harrington, Josh Katzman, 5:16, 2009

# = 6 am start with 50 milers

@ = 50 mile split with 6 am start

Unofficial Race Results   TARC 50 mile (inaugural official running)

Times truncated to the minute

1.         Josh Katzman, MA                8:47

2. tie    Howie Breinan, CT               10:16

2. tie    Mark Buongiorno , CT          10:16

4. tie    Chris Martin, MA                  12:00

4. tie    Giles Gregory, MA                12:00

6. tie    Tim Reif, MA                        14:00

6. tie    Kristen Evan, MA                 14:00

(18 starters)

Howie Breinan, creator and RD for the Don’t Run Boston 50K, achieved a feat unique to the ultra community and closed the circle of life with his accomplishment.

On a sweltering and steamy Sunday, Howie set out to be the first person test run and finish the entire TARC 50 Miler course.  He crossed the finish line after 12 hours and 28 minutes of enduring brutal heat conditions and set the course mark to beat.  It only seems appropriate that not  only Breinan -the first 31 miles of the course are the DRB50K -  be the one to attempt this effort but that it be done on the hottest day of the year.  In true Trail Animal style he pierced the heat, got”off track”, recovered and ended strong and in good spirit.  Hid account is below.  Congrats to Howie for again, showing us how we Animals do it right!

Howie Breinan’s account:

Came in feeling strong in 12:28.   I missed the turn to the CCC and ended up
doing the loop backwards plus some bonus pipeline twice (it is a trail
animal race after all, and someone had to do it).   I was able to run the
whole way, overall probably at least as good as the Ponkapoag loop.   I had
a slow stretch from 28 to the CCC, but then picked it up, especially the last 2 miles.  I really enjoyed the section after getting out of the CCC all the way to Chickatawbut.  Had a bit of a tough time from Chick to Rte 28 just because legs were a bit fatigued for a long rocky downhill.  Finally started to feel like I had cooled off some once I left the house of poison ivy.  Stephen ran me in the last 0.88 or so.  Overall it was a really good day for me.  I did jump in the pond… not quite as refreshing as for those in the past who did the same after DRB (can’t remember who…. maybe Craig?)

Stephen Peckiconis also writes:

Howie finished 50 (or more) miles in 12:28, running from 0641-1909 on a day with dew points regularly registering over 70.  I dropped at 16 because 70’s my limit, my body just can’t handle that.  Had thought it would be like Saturday but the temps on Sunday put things over the top.  Howie didn’t seem fazed and a good sign was the he was the only one regularly peeing, processing plenty of fluids.

Paul was there running with Howie through the 50K.  David Molk and Norm Sheppard also started with us.  Like myself, they decided 16mi was a good drop point, as it was a quarter mile from our cars.  Howie’s pace was faster than I expected.

Tim Reif again amazed me by finding us in the middle of nowhere to run for a couple hours.  Chris Haley ran with Howie from approx 28 to 50K, and then he and I ran the
6 mi Ponkapoag loop with Howie.  My favorite part of the course but Howie’s least fave.

After 4pm Howie was on his own, and that included the period from 5pm until Now with the dew point at 72 degrees!  I ran the last mile with Howie and he did it in around 8m30s.

There was some discussion/misunderstanding on the part of the course from 28-37, hopefully Chris Haley or Howie can explain that.

I thought I was drinking well before I dropped.  After that I drank more, rested, went home, drank more, and then weighed myself.  Down 4.5 lbs, or 3% after all that.  Not what I expected.  I think I was using my spring water loss rate and forgot that it just might be a little higher today.  Going to have to learn to drink until it hurts.

NEW GLOUCHESTER, MAINE - MAY 24  Four Trail Animals toed the line at the Pineland Farms 50 Miler on a beautiful sunny Memorial Day weekend.  Bruce Giguere (41) from

Tolland, CT took home the the fasted TARC time of the day at 8:39:41 finishing top 25 (22nd) overall and 10th in his age group.  TARC co-founder Chris  “C1″ Haley (53) of Medfield, MA posted a “getting ready for the Cascade Crest 100″ time of 8:45:33 finishing 33rd overall and 2nd in his age group.  Clinton Morse (47) of Tolland, CT crossed the line at 9:31:58 gaining 35th place and 5th in his age group.  And Paul Lahham (29) from Cambridge, MA came in right behind Clint at 9:34:08 in 36th place and 10th age group.  The combined TARC time was 35:49:10 which would have won third place for the team competition had there not been a registration glitch.  No matter, we know what the Animals are capable of!  Nice work gents!  Full results here

STAFFORD, CT - May 17, 2009  TARC member Clinton Morse defended his title at the

Soapstone Mountain Race 6K aka “The Sampler” this past Sunday.  Morse (47) covered the course in 25.21, exactly 1 minute ahead of Roger Durand.  Clint is also on the organizing committee of the race and runs for the Shenipsit Striders out of Connecticut.  But, despite his devotion and loyalty to his hometown running club, Morse decided to sport his fancy new Trail Animals tee and given the results, we’re hoping he has started a trend for our members who wear the pack’s logo in races!  Congratulations to Clint.  You can see more pictures and full race results by clicking here.

Shenipsit Striders

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April 19, 2009 MILTON, MA

Many thanks to our volunteers:  Don Allison, Bill Howard, and Dave James (and friend).   Here are the unofficial results.  Runners… please correct any misspellings or incorrect reporting of ties or times.  Also, please fill in or correct your states.

Congrats to Josh and Garry for breaking the course record.

Anyone who wishes to send along pictures or a runner report suitable for submission to Ultrarunning, please let do.

If you took GPS info, please send it along… I am compiling the data to find out the “average truth”.  Please let me know what model you are using and any settings that you think might affect the outcome.

Howie, RD

Click here to see pictures from Kevin Z

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13^th Annual Trail Animals Don’t Run Boston 50K

Sunday April 19, 2009 Mid 40’s to start. Dry, sunny, breezy. High was low 50’s.

5000+’ of climb Multiple loop trail course

UNOfficial Race Results

Times truncated to the minute

1. tie Gary Harrington, NH 5:16 *

1. tie Josh Katzman, ?? 5:16 *

3. tie Howie Breinan, CT 6:08

3. tie Chris Taft, MA 6:08

5. Steve Pero, NH 6:16

6. tie Steve Faluotico, ?? 6:40

6. tie Jeff List, MA 6:40

8. tie Bob Crowley, MA 6:44

8. tie Chris Haley, MA 6:44

8. tie Chris Shanley, MA 6:44

11. Paul Lanham, MA 6:57

12. Chris Martin, MA 6:57

13. Deb Pero, NH (F) 7:13

14. Bogie D, MA 7:13

15. Clint Morse, CT 7:37

16. Norm Sheppard, MA 8:48

17. tie Damon Lease, VT 8:48

17. tie Kevin Zelechoski, ?? 8:48

(24 starters)

*old course record: Steve Pero, 5:38, 2000

APRIL 4, 2009 Raleigh, NC

TARC member Dave James (31),Trumbull, CT took home the bacon at the Umstead 100 miler in a winning time of 15 hours, 5 minutes, 3 seconds.   Here is Dave’s first-hand report…………

Everyone that runs a 100 has a story to tell.  My story from Saturday would fall under the comedy theme, or a title to a country music song; “what was I thinking?” For your website’s news section this week I think should be informed that not only did the “Yankees come down to South to show off their Spring Training!” but Jill Perry, 38, from New York set an amazing course record of 16 hours and 2 minutes (I think? Blake) taking nearly 20 minutes off of the Course Record set last year by Jamie Donaldson!  I myself, born and raised in New York, held on for the win in 15 hours and 5 minutes also running in my first competitive 100 representing Virago’s GENr8, which I think is the 3rd fasted time in the history of this historic East Coast race!

I know you like to hear about the race and the competition and I am sure both you and Blake will get a bunch of “rookie” and “veteran” takes on the absolutely gorgeous spring day we were treated to Saturday in William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh North Carolina.  I thought you might like my take as I set a couple new PR’s Saturday in route to my wins.  Below is my version of race day.  Please edit this piece as you see fit but if possible please leave in the part about Vitargo’s GENr8 and the professionalism and down home feel of Blake’s race!

“Rookie Mistake!”  Apparently is what I was screaming at my self as I half heartedly and jokingly banged my water bottle against my bald head and strapped on my new Polar heart rate monitor.  No one at Umstead State Park, including myself, at Noon on Saturday April 4th though I would be able to hold off the likes of veteran Joe Kulak.  Listening to my body’s adrenaline a little too much instead of advice from friends I continued to “run how I felt.”  I felt great Saturday morning, I like to run out front and push the pace and hang on for as long as I can.  I did just that crushing through 50 miles in 6:16 before I took a second to check the clock.
I had pushed the pace and taken the lead but how was I to hold on for a 100 mile win over 4 time champion Serge Arbona?  How was I to know that Serge had stomach issues and would not contend?

While re hydrating with GENr8 and ready to drop out, with a 20 minute 50 mile PR under my belt, my hero took the form of a beautiful fit blonde in a running skirt who introduced herself as my pacer.  Having heard of hallucinations occurring in endurance events I decided to listen to her offer as she asked for my water bottles”.  She was not interested in my excuses as to why I had already worked hard that morning and why I wanted to quit.  Some lame excuses about the Final Four fell on deaf ears as Missy, an elite ultra marathoner and Olympic trials marathoner in her own right pushed me along.  When Missy said go I listened figuring it was just a really short time before I woke up from my dream.  Well instead of waking up from my dream Missy was able to help me find my motivation, keep me on a steady solid pace, and helped me regroup.  After 75 miles and a substantial lead and some GENr8 to refuel I started to feel better and Missy and I went out for just another 12.5 mile jog in under 2 hours!

With one loop to go Missy bid me farewell and Kean took over.
While an amazing runner and a friendly pacer in his own right, Kean was not as interesting to watch sprint ahead to the water stations to refuel my bottles :-)  Save a 30 second stop to put on a shirt, refuel with GENr8, and grab my headlamp before running to victory with Kean I had run over 40 miles straight without stopping!  I had gone from a relaxing 50 mile win with a nice PR day to one loop from absolute victory and legitimacy in the sport of ultra Marat honing by winning my first competitive 100 mile race!  Running those last loops was about survival and thanks as my faith in my higher power was expressed in vernacular that my mother will no doubt have to pray for my soul over.  I also realized that running a Hundred Mile Race is a lot like life!  Some of its magic, some of its tragic, as Jimmy Buffett sang in my head.  The magic for me at Umstead did not come as much from the victory as I had visualized going into the competition but so much more from the people.  From the runners, spectators, crews, friends, and volunteers I received nothing but love, support and uplifting.  I found out about myself Saturday amidst the beauty of the beautiful spring day, on a little 12 mile loop in a runner’s heaven that I was happy being with people again!  I do not need to literally “run” away anymore from life’s obstacles instead I can face my fears head on and work for my goals, dreams, and aspirations.

If anyone were to tell you that a 190 pound 6’1” guy was going to run a 15 hour 100 miler Saturday in Umstead Park I would have bet against them myself, but because a 100 miles is a group effort that was just the case!  A special thanks to all the other race volunteers, racers, and director Mr. Blake Norwood whom I am very great full to for granting me permission to race his event!  Please come join me March 27th 2010 as we go for a run in the park and try and set the course record at Umstead!