The 2023 Massachusetts ultrarunning season officially opened on Saturday, Jan. 7, when Gil’s Athletic Club played host to the 23rd running of the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield, Mass. Around 200 runners took part in the free, laid-back event, completing anywhere between one and five loops of the approximately 6.2-mile loop course. The following are a sample of the photos taken by MassUltra Editor Chris Wristen, who also ran two loops of the course. A larger gallery can be viewed on the MassUltra Facebook page here. Additionally, a much larger photo gallery courtesy of Patrick Caron can be viewed here.
Race Director Roger Martell delivers the pre-race briefing at the 23rd edition of the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at Bradley Palmer State Park. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Alexandra Brinkert cruises down the doubletrack while surrounded by snow at the 23rd running of the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at Bradley Palmer State Park. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.A pack of runners chats away the miles while A pair of runners cruise through a tunnel of snow-covered trees during the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners check out the aid station options between loops at the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Kevin Mullen of Fairhaven, Mass., was fired up as he prepared to head back out for another loop at the 23rd edition of the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Kristen Smith of Danvers, Mass., was all smiles as she closed out another loop at the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.A pack of runners sticks together while knocking out the miles at the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners on the road near the end of the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K’s 6.2-mile loop course. The course consisted of a mix of terrain, including singletrack and doubletrack trails, fire roads, gravel, and about 1.5 miles of pavement. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Brian Burke of Medford, Mass., savors a perfect day for running at the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Joe Loureiro of Andover, Mass., nears the end of another loop at the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.
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