The last time Justin Kousky took on the Jug End loop was in 2023. He dazzled that day with a record-setting 43.8-mile performance, toppling a record that had stood since 2016. Two years later, Kousky returned to do more damage at the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service’s (BURCS) 10th annual Jug End Loop Ultra on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 at Jug End Reservation in Egremont, Mass.

Kousky and his fellow runners once again took on the traditional 4.2-mile loop course for 6 hours, using an abbreviated mini-loop for the final hour. A single-loop, 4.2-mile race also was offered.

On a stunning day with sunny skies, steep climbs and speedy descents, Kousky shined the brightest. The 45-year-old from Westport, Conn., ran aggressively and left the field behind from the start. By the time the time limit elapsed, Kousky had crafted another masterpiece, smashing his own course record with a 44.55-mile performance while amassing more than 6,000 feet of climbing.

While nobody could keep up with Kousky, several other runners turned in big efforts. Lucas Harrigan was a distant second with 35.4 miles in his BURCS debut. It was the latest strong showing for Harrigan at an ultra this year following a fourth-place finish at the Manchester 2 Monadnock 55-miler in May and a runner-up finish at the Edge Hill 50K in June. Another BURCS newcomer, 44-year-old Casey Smith of Torrington, Conn., was third with 34.65 miles. Eric Dziedzinski, 39, of Bondsville, Mass., was fourth with 32.4 miles. It was Dziedzinski’s third straight year finishing in the male top five at Jug End and his highest mileage tally.

In the female field, 46-year-old Charity Smith of Avon, Conn., capped her BURCS debut with a win, logging 30.45 miles. Another BURCS newcomer, 44-year-old Julia Smith of Torrington, Conn., was the runner-up with 29.7 miles. Jennifer O’Donnell, 47, of Pittsfield, Mass., rounded out the podium with a 27.0-mile effort. It was a 4.5-mile improvement over O’Donnell’s 2024 performance.

Of the 47 runners who logged mileage in the 6-hour race, 13 eclipsed the marathon distance.

In addition to the 6-hour ultra, another 15 runners took on a single-loop, 4.2-mile race on the Jug End course. A familiar face was the first to finish. Fresh off of his victory at the BURCS’ Sweltering Summer 8-Hour Ultra, 43-year-old Jason Kaplan of Boston, Mass., returned to a BURCS race for a sub-ultra run. Kaplan cruised up and down the loop and secured the overall victory in 32:50. He was 29 seconds faster than runner-up Mark Phillips, 34, of Great Barrington, Mass., who followed in 33:19. Johnny Bontemps followed 20 seconds behind as the 41-year-old from Becket, Mass., completed the male podium in 33:39. In the female field, 40-year-old Ashley Sherben of Pittsfield, Mass., earned the victory in 45:06, followed by 59-year-old Jennifer Bell of Dalton, Mass., in 49:07, and 55-year-old Sue Walters of Pittsfield, Mass., in 54:12.

Jug End Raises Big Haul for Good Causes: Proceeds from every BURCS race benefit various land management groups and nonprofit organizations. Runners raised $2,827 at Jug End, which will be split between the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Louison House, a homeless shelter that serves northern Berkshire County.

Up Next In the BURCS Race Series: Jug End wrapped up the official BURCS Race Series, though the BURCS will play host to one more in-person event this year. The Notchview Invitational, an invitation-only fatass-style event, will take place Sept. 27-28 at Notchview Reservation in Windsor, Mass. Those in attendance can take on 24-hour, 50-mile and 50K opportunities.