14th 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.
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 14th 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.
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
Official 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)
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13th Trail Animals Don’t Run Boston 50K
Blue Hills Reservation, Milton, MA
April 19, 2009 5000+’ of climb, multiple loop course
Beautiful day. High 50’s into low 60’s for finish, sun most of day
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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13th 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
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12th Trail Animals Don’t Run Boston 50K
Blue Hills Reservation, Milton, MA
Saturday April 19, 2008 5000+’ of climb, multiple loop course
Rain before start. Muggy. High 60’s into mid 70’s for finish, mid-day sun
Run Directors report (Howie Breinan)
When I sat down to write the results, I couldn’t quite believe that it has been 11 years since the first TADRB 50K. I also realized how much I look forward to the run even though it has been 10 years since I moved away from Boston and had a chance to frequent these trails on a regular basis. Fortunately, the no fee, no wimps, minimal aid format allows me to “direct” this run from afar. There is really not much too it… the run is built mostly around the New England runners who are looking for a challenging early season run/race on home turf, often as training for longer events to come later in the summer. This year was in the minority in that we did not have any out-of-region runners who planned to do both this race and the Boston marathon which takes place on the following Monday. Any trail fans who plan to do Boston for fun next year should think about this run!
Highlights this year included :
- Steve Pero returning from New Mexico to complete his 11th DRB, most ever
- Bob Mathes winning at age 56; it takes a unique combination of speed, agility on very rocky climbs and descents, and navigational ability or familiarity with the course to win this event
- Chris Haley sustaining a compound fracture to his finger from a fall on one of the aforementioned gnarly descents half-way through; in true trail animal form, Chris returned Sunday morning to complete the run
- Seven “local” first time runners- the most we have had in some years
- The warm weather, though not brutal, presented an additional challege for New England runners more accustomed to 30-60 degrees over the past two months
This was the second year in a row with a Saturday start. The traditional day is Sunday, one day before the Boston marathon. Easter sometimes forces a Saturday start, but this year it was the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials also held in Boston. Surprisingly, none of the women in that race tried the DRB-Boston double. Next year we plan to be back on Sunday, April 19th and we hope to see you there!
So the results have been certified official by our independently contracted auditing agency.
Official Race Results
[Times truncated to the minute]
1. Bob Mathes, NH 6:04
2. Paul Kearney, VT 6:21
3. Jeff List, MA 6:26
4. Garry Harrington, NH 6:35
5. Chris Shanley, MA 6:44
6. Steve Pero, NH 6:45
7. Ryan Prentiss, MA 6:57
7. Thomas Mikkelsen, MA 6:57
9. Damon Lease, VT 8:54
10. Chris Haley, MA 30:30
(18 starters)
Chris went to the ER with a broken finger and returned Sunday to finish.
