The Trail Animals Running Club played host to the sixth running of the TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra and “heavy” 5K on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Hale Reservation in Westwood, Mass. Runners took on a 3.5-mile loop course on mostly singletrack trails, and they were treated to some of the best weather conditions in the event’s history with dry trail conditions and temperatures in the mid-30s to low 40s with just a few sprinkles and some sleet near the end. This gallery includes a small sample of photos taken by MassUltra Editor Chris Wristen during the event. A full gallery of 83 photos can be viewed on the MassUltra Facebook page.
Melissa Dunham of Freeport, Maine, was all smiles as the raced through the woods at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Nate Combs of Andover, Mass., races through the woods at Hale Reservation during the To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.A blanket of golden leaves surrounds Jaime Wiley of Claremont, N.H., while racing on the trails of Hale Reservation at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Reed Woodbury of Milford, Mass., navigates a rocky uphill on the trails of Hale Reservation at the To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Adam Ribeiro, 31, of Lowell, Mass., hammered out 10 laps for 35 miles and finished second overall at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Chris Feder takes a break from running to hug her son at the aid station during the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Bill Howard ascends the final rocky climb to the finish of the loop at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.A volunteer refills the bottle of a runner during the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Ben Schersten of Beverly, Mass., takes in some liquid calories before taking on another trip through the 3.5-mile loop at the TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Schersten finished fifth overall with nine laps for 31.5 miles. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Carolyn Stocker and Maria Chevalier navigate the trail during the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Both Stocker and Chevalier completed 28 miles at the race. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Jason Bacon of Pawtucket, R.I., navigates the trail along the shore of Noannet Pond at Hale Reservation during the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners gather by the fire to warm up at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Jade Zhang of Brighton, Mass., was feeling good on her way to 31.5 miles and a first-place finish in the women’s field at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Zhang also tied for the second-best mileage performance by a woman in course history. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.David Catarius of Shrewsbury, Mass., cruised to 31.5 miles and a ninth-place overall finish at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Brian Okum of Belmont, Mass., put up 31.5 miles and finished seventh overall in his TARC debut at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra at Hale Reservation. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Gwenyth Taradash, 22, of Dartmouth, Mass., was on cruise control early at the TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Taradash completed nine laps for 31.5 miles, finishing second in the women’s field and tying for the second-best women’s performance in event history. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Daniel Grip of Wendell, Mass., flew through the course at Hale Reservation and earned the overall win at the 2023 TARC To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra with 38.5 miles while tying the men’s course record. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.
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