All posts by Chris Wristen

Founder and Editor of MassUltra.com
TARC

Tough Trails, Tougher Runners at the Fells Winter Ultra

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STONEHAM, Mass. – For those unfamiliar with the Middlesex Fells Reservation, the course description for the Trail Animals Running Club’s sixth annual Fells Winter Ultra might come across as a race director’s attempt to tease runners with a tantalizing portrayal of trail conditions that couldn’t possibly be as daunting as described.

“A nightmarish course of rocks and roots with a bit of elevation thrown in,” the description says of the eight-mile loop of the Skyline Trail, which 32-mile competitors circle four times and 40-mile competitors get to enjoy a fifth time.

Still, the Middlesex Fells resides just six miles north of downtown Boston and is surrounded by suburbs. How tough could the course really be?

Plenty tough, actually. Continue reading Tough Trails, Tougher Runners at the Fells Winter Ultra →

Features

Waiting for Western: A Spot in Western States Is No Guarantee for 51 Massachusetts Hopefuls

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Maddy McCarthy made a quick stop at the Highway 49 aid station and then cruised down a long stretch of smooth, winding singletrack before dashing across historic No Hands Bridge.

The iconic Western States course was beneath her feet, and it felt perfect. This was what she’d dreamed of.

Sort of. Continue reading Waiting for Western: A Spot in Western States Is No Guarantee for 51 Massachusetts Hopefuls →

TARC

TARC Serves Up Pre-Thanksgiving Trail Feast at Inaugural TARCkey Trot

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WINCHESTER AND LEXINGTON, Mass. – The newest addition to the Trail Animals Running Club’s TARC Trail Series was, in a way, a feast before the feast.

The inaugural TARCkey Trot 6-Hour Ultra, which took place Saturday, Nov. 19, was scheduled to give runners an opportunity to feast on technical trails, burn some extra calories, and chew up some extra miles before chowing down on smorgasbords of food five days later on Thanksgiving. Continue reading TARC Serves Up Pre-Thanksgiving Trail Feast at Inaugural TARCkey Trot →

G.A.C.

PCT Record-Holder McConaughy Sizzles at Stone Cat 50

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Joe McConaughy averaged more than 50 miles per day for more than 53 consecutive days en route to logging the fastest known time on the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2014, so it came as little surprise when he had another FKT in his sights Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Stone Cat 50 in Ipswich, Mass. Continue reading PCT Record-Holder McConaughy Sizzles at Stone Cat 50 →