Out-of-state ultramarathons attracted runners from the Bay State to the trails of Virginia, Maine, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Arizona during the Oct. 13-14 weekend, and Salem’s Kristen Smith and Medford’s Kara Olivito highlighted the weekend races with their 103-mile journey together on the tough trails of Virginia, climbing more than 26,000 feet on their way to finishing the notoriously tough Cloudsplitter 100. That race, as well as the Big Brad Ultras, Water Gap 50K, Indian Creek Fifties, and the Canyon De Chelly 55K are featured in this week’s roundup. Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Cloudsplitter, Big Brad, Water Gap, Indian Creek, and Canyon De Chelly→
Who didn’t run 100 miles last weekend? When it came to the Massachusetts ultrarunning community, Oct. 5-7 was one of the biggest weekends of the year for 100-milers not involving the popular and nearby Vermont 100 or Ghost Train. Bay State residents traveled to five out-of-state 100s and brought home finisher’s belt buckles. The largest contingent traveled to Virginia for the difficult Grindstone 100, where Woburn resident Samantha LeBlanc snagged a spot on the women’s podium. Additionally, Boston’s William Hafferty gutted out a finish at the tough Bromont 100 in Canada, while others finished the Tesla Hertz 100 in New York, the Hennepin Hundred in Illinois, and the Oil Creek 100 in Pennsylvania. We have them all covered in this week’s 100-mile-specific roundup. Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Grindstone, Bromont, Tesla Hertz, Hennepin, and Oil Creek→
It sure seemed like everyone ran a 100-miler last weekend. Massachusetts ultrarunners took part in five different 100-mile trail races Oct. 5-7 in various North American locations beyond the Bay State, and we have those covered in a separate 100-miler-only roundup. Shorter ultra distances shouldn’t be overshadowed, so they get their own roundup this week. John Schwartz-Moore highlighted the four non-100-mile races with his win at the Farm to Farm Ultra 50-miler in Maine. We’ve also included Ralph Crowley’s race at the Cuyamaca 100K in California, Kevin Diguglielmo’s ultramarathon debut at the Blues Cruise 50K in Pennsylvania, and Chris Carmody’s solid 50-mile effort at the Bay Ridge Endurance Runs – formerly the Dick Collins Firetrails 50 in California. Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Farm to Farm, Cuyamaca, Blues Cruise, and Bay Ridge→
All eyes were on Patrick Caron when the 50-mile runners stepped to the starting line of the TARC Fall Classic on Saturday, Sept. 29, at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, Mass. The attention was understandable, and well-earned. Caron made his ultramarathon debut on this course in 2015 when, at age 18, he raced to a second-place finish. That year it took a course record by Billy Preston (7:52:53) to keep Caron from victory. Caron has returned each year since then, and each time he has bettered Preston’s mark with a new course record. Continue reading Lenane, Caron Crush Course Records at Fall Classic→
The final week of September was massive for Massachusetts ultrarunners, most notably with the annual TARC Fall Classic and Vermont 50 ultras that attracted hundreds of runners throughout the region. Both of those races are featured in other reports due to their size. Beyond the biggest local races, however, a handful of runners tackled other pursuits – many of them at 100-mile distances or beyond. That included Boston resident Will Holets earning his first 100-mile finish at the Beebe Farm 48 in Vermont, a trio of Bay State men securing hard-earned finishes at the Bear 100 out West, and Kyle Robidoux blazing to his first sub-24-hour 100-miler at the Yeti 100 in Virginia. Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Beebe Farm, the Bear, and the Yeti→
The eighth annual TARC Fall Classic took place Saturday, Sept. 29, in Carlisle, Mass. Runners took part in 50-mile and 50K ultramarathons as well as half-marathon and 10K races. Continue reading Results: TARC Fall Classic→
