Sunday April 18^th – Blue Hills Reservation, Milton, MA

Don’t Run Boston 50K (14^th annual) – start time 8:00 am

Trail Animals Running Club 50 Miler (inaugural year) – start time 6:00 am

The 2010 edition of DRB50K and inaugural running of the TARC 50M are about 2 weeks away.  So here are the essentials for now, how you can help and there will be more updates to come as race day approaches. For now we’re trying to get a handle on race entrants, aid stations and volunteers.

This year we’ll be running the DRB50K and the inaugural TARC50M simultaneously. TARC50 starts at 6:00 am and DRB50K starts at 8:00 am. Both start from Houghton’s Pond Parking lot near the snack pavilion.

Who’s Running?

If you’re listed below we have you as running.  If you plan to run but aren’t listed below or if you are on the list but do not plan on running contact Howie and Bob immediately at breinan@alumni.stanford.org and imbc@comcast.net.

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Directions, Maps & Things

Click here to go to maps and detailed course directions for both the DRB50K and TARC50M that you can download.  VERY IMPORTANT: It is the runner’s responsibility to download, print out and bring these directions and maps with them to the race.

Volunteers, Aid, How You Can Help

Runners are mostly self-supported, but we plan to have plenty of water with a small amount of Gatorade or other electrolyte out on the course.  (We will assume most people are carrying electrolyte mix if they need it).  Generally everyone brings a little food or drink to contribute to the main aid station at Park HQ (miles 13/16/26)… with your donations there is always a wide variety there.  Alternatively, you can drop some water/electrolyte at one of the spots listsed below.   We’ll arrange so everyone can have a drop bag with special food/refills/clothing/etc. for yourself at HQ (13/16/26).  I will bring the 5 gallon water cooler (courtesy of Don Allison) and a couple of coolers with ice.  Now we need a place to put them (a car or truck, see below) and some volunteers to place some of the drops or staff the aid station.  I will cover two of the drops.   Amounts to drop will be decided by weather and total numbers.  For the 50 milers, you can access your cars at miles 31 and 37.  If there is interest, we may put a smaller version of the “aid car” in that tiny outer lot at Houghtons which is slightly more convenient than the big lot and would provide a small point of service.

If you want to fill any of the needs listed below, please let me know directly (Breinan@alumni.stanford.org).  If you see a need that is missing, also let me know.

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Major Volunteers/Items Needed:

“Aid station setup”

Person 1) To be present at 6 am start to gather drop bags/food for HQ aid station (miles13/16/26) and bring them to the “aid car” parked there.

Person 2) To be present at 8 am start to gather drop bags for HQ aid station and bring them to the “aid car” parked there.

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“Water/electrolyte drops and cleanup:”

Person(s) 3)  To drop water/gatorade on the Chickatawbut loop (easy if road is open, harder if road closed- I’m checking on it).  Likely on South side of road where race comes at miles 9,41, and 47.  A touch of food here would probably also be good.   Also, pick up or make sure someone else picks up after the race.

Person 4)  To drop water/gatorade at main 50K route 28 crossing (west side of road) (miles 5,11,28) .   Also, pick up or make sure someone else picks up after the race.

Howie Breinan:  To drop water/gatorade at parking lot north of museum (mile 20) .   Also, pick up or make sure someone else picks up after the race.

Howie Breinan:  To drop water/gatorade at low point of course at base of Coon Hollow Path (mile 23) .   Also, pick up or make sure someone else picks up after the race.

Optional Person 7)  To drop water/gatorade at MDC rink at far west end of course (44 and/or 45) depending on where it is put. .   Also, pick up or make sure someone else picks up after the race.

Optional Person 8)  Drop a jug at the house of poison ivy for any last minute crashes. .   Also, pick up or make sure someone else picks up after the race.

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Aid station “workers”:

Could be used any time after 8 am at HQ, after noon at Houghtons (Katzman could be there earlier).  HQ is more important.  It is nice to have someone there offering food and drink, finding bags, etc. and to check runners in unofficially with approximate times and have someone to report to if they drop.

Tradition will continue as the 14th edition of the Don’t Run Boston 50K will be run  Sunday, April 18th, the day before the Boston Marathon.  The race details are on our Race Calendar page along with helpful maps for previewing the course (since there are no markings).

This year we are adding the running of the first annual TARC 50 Miler the same day.  So you’ll have your choice of ultra distances.   Both will be run in the Blue Hills Reservation.  The 50 Miler will commence at 6:00 am and run the entire DRB50K course first, then the added 19 miles to complete the circuit.  The DRB50K will begin at 8:00 am.  You can start running the 50 Miler and switch to just the 50K if it’s not your day.  The TARC 50 is designed to compliment the DRB50K style course -  lots of hills, 75% single track trails, 10% fire roads and 15% deer paths, plenty of soaring vista views of the Boston landscape and a few opportunities to get off course.  It holds true to Trail Animal tradition.  Both DRB50K and TARC50 are beautiful courses.

So mark your calendars and get out there this winter with the usual Sunday morning crew at Blue Hills to preview parts of the course.

TARC plans to run the inaugural TARC 50 miler trail race sometime in 2009.  Originally scheduled for the last weekend in August, due to conflicts this date has been postponed to a future date TBD.  We’ll let all TARC members know of the new date via email and Facebook (click to join our TARC Facebook group).

Meantime, if you want to preview the course, you run the entire DRB 50K course (above) and then pick up the last new 19 miles below.  Click here to print out the new 6 mile loop and 13 mile loop and take them with you.   As is the case with DRB50K, there will be no trail markings - just these maps and description.

The 13th running of the Don’t Run Boston 50K will take place Sunday, April 19th at 8:00 am in the Blue Hills.

Click here to download a course map and written description.  You WILL need and want both as this is a true old school ultra - no trail markings, no course monitors, no prizes, no schwag, and modest aid - just a good ol’ romp in the woods.  It is also one of the most beautiful and toughest courses in New England.  But the gang that run DRB wouldn’t have it any other way - it’s a good time for all.  So if you would like to give it a shot (plan on it taking you 7-9 hours), send our RD, Howie an email at hbreinan@comcast.net letting him know you are coming.  If you’re not sure about running this year but are curious or want to help out, we’d welcome you volunteering to work an aid station - just let Howie know you can help.