Ever since running her first ultramarathon at the Castle to River Run 50K in 2019, Jenny Cavanagh has been hooked on long distances. She has finished numerous ultras in the years since, including the 2019 Ghost Train 100-miler.

Now, Cavanagh is more than just an ultra participant – she’s also a race director.

The owner of TA Fitness in Weymouth, Cavanagh created a new trailrunning event to challenge members of her gym and other runners in the region, be they new to running, passionate about shorter distances or as hungry for major miles as she is. On Saturday, April 22, Cavanagh played host to the inaugural Spring Fever 8-hour ultra and 5-mile and 5K trail races at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Mass.

The 5K was a fast course on a mix of trails and pavement with about 150 feet of climbing. The 5-miler boasted 350 feet of gain, also on a blend of dirt and pavement. The 8-hour race used the 5-mile loop, and runners had the opportunity to complete it as many times as they could within the time limit, with only completed loops counting toward their mileage total.

Ultimately, 17 runners took on the 8-hour challenge and seven of them achieved ultramarathon mileage by completing six or more loops.

A trio of runners finished eight loops for 40 miles apiece, but 39-year-old Ed Donahue of Abington, Mass., did so the fastest and earned the overall win. Douglas Lemes, 32, of Quincy, Mass., and 41-year-old Michael Hartford of Dedham, Mass., was the final 40-mile finisher placing third.

Rick Gomes, 52, of Litchfield, N.H., 52-year-old Jason Silva of Plymouth, Mass., and 54-year-old Donald Perks of Brookline, Mass., all completed 35 miles, while 50-year-old Mark Welburn of Sterling, Mass., completed six laps for 30 miles as the final ultra-distance finisher.

Sarah Garceau, 33, of Middleboro, Mass., led the women’s field with 20 miles. She was joined at that distance by 48-year-old Susan Carillo of Braintree, Mass., 44-year-old Susan Vinovrski of Braintree, Mass., 51-year-old Linnea Marks of Hingham, Mass., 52-year-old Stephanie Morrison of Braintree, Mass., and 54-year-old Carolee Burgess of Wareham, Mass.

Twenty-four runners finished the 5-mile race. Michael O’Connor, 28, of Waltham, Mass., and Lynnette Nolan, 37, of Braintree, Mass., were the men’s and women’s winners in 38:52 and 48:49, respectively. Another 43 runners finished the 5K race. Corey White, 20, of Weymouth, Mass., led all runners in 23:08, while 13-year-old Anna Hoyle of Mansfield, Mass., was the women’s winner in 30:37.