Two weeks after a few-dozen members reunited for their first in-person racing in nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) played host to an even larger gathering of ultrarunners with the eighth annual Sweltering Summer 8-Hour Ultra and 5K on Saturday, Aug. 14, at Clapp Park in Pittsfield, Mass.
Continue reading Chorney, Popham, Mankekar Lead All Runners at Sweltering SummerCategory Archives: BURCS
Results: BURCS’ Sweltering Summer 8-Hour Ultra
The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service played host to the eighth annual Sweltering Summer 8-Hour Ultra and 5K on Saturday, Aug. 14, at Clapp Park, in Pittsfield, Mass.
Continue reading Results: BURCS’ Sweltering Summer 8-Hour UltraBURCS Reunite at Jug End for First In-Person Ultra Since 2019
When the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service brought to a close its Free to Run Trail Races in September, 2019, the BURCS leadership assumed they’d be unpacking the supplies again the following spring – as usual – for the new season of racing. Little did they know, the pop-up tents, trail markings, aid station tables and more would remain in storage until summer 2021.
Continue reading BURCS Reunite at Jug End for First In-Person Ultra Since 2019Results: Jug End Loop Ultra
The sixth edition of the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service’s (BURCS) Jug End Loop Ultra took place with in-person running on Saturday, July 31, at Jug End State Reservation in Egremont, Mass. The first four years were in-person, but the 2020 race was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 event was a mix, with virtual competitors throughout the month of July taking part in a 4.2-mile run or 6.66-hour run, as well as in-person runners on July 31 in 4.2-mile and 6-hour races.
Continue reading Results: Jug End Loop Ultra
Vegan Power to be Virtual Again in 2021
When Alex Bancroft, Race Director for the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service’s (BURCS) Vegan Power 50K and 25K trail races, made the decision to make last year’s event virtual in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, she hoped it would be a one-year change with in-person racing returning in 2021.
Continue reading Vegan Power to be Virtual Again in 2021Results: BURCS Circadian Challenge
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across the United States, the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) has sought ways to challenge runners in a virtual format. The newest creation from Race Director Benn Griffin was the Circadian Challenge. Runners had the entire month of July to choose a 24-hour window during which to run a half-marathon between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., followed by another half-marathon during the 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. timeframe. Runners earned half of their finisher medal for each half-marathon completed. Additionally, runners had the option of running for the entire 24-hour period to log as many miles as they wanted. Several runners took advantage of that option to log ultramarathon distances. Continue reading Results: BURCS Circadian Challenge
Results: Virtual BURCS Jug End Loop Ultra
The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service’s (BURCS) Jug End Loop Ultra went virtual for 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, but it maintained some of its traditional roots despite its socially-distanced format. Rather than having a race-day event, Race Director Benn Griffin required runners to complete their 6-hour, 27-mile or 4.2-mile races on the official race court at Jug End State Reservation in Egremont, Mass., but they had the entire month of July to do so and then submit their data to Griffin for inclusion in the final results. Continue reading Results: Virtual BURCS Jug End Loop Ultra
Results: Virtual Vegan Power 50K
The COVID-19 global pandemic forced the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) to transition its popular Vegan Power 50K ultramarathon and 25K trail races to a virtual format in June 2020. Runners ran their respective distances at locations of their choosing and then submitted their data for inclusion in the final results. Continue reading Results: Virtual Vegan Power 50K
Pandemic Forces Additional Changes to BURCS Race Series
The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) this morning announced several changes to its annual BURCS Race Series due to the continuing uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading Pandemic Forces Additional Changes to BURCS Race Series
Race Directors Embrace Virtual Options to Keep Runners Motivated During Pandemic
The Trail Animals Running Club’s annual TARC Spring Classic is one of the most popular trail-running events in Massachusetts, drawing more than 300 runners to the trails of Weston each April to tackle distances from 10K to 50K. The 10th annual Spring Classic was scheduled for Saturday, April 25, and it was shaping up to be another busy day on the trails with hundreds of runners once again signed up to race.
As the global pandemic caused by the new coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, expanded its spread across the state and the country, the race’s future was put in doubt. Then, following an order by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker limiting the size of gatherings to no more than 50 people to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Spring Classic co-Race Directors Annie Gagliardi and Michael McDuffie announced on Wednesday, March 18, that the race was canceled.
The Spring Classic was the second TARC race and third in Massachusetts to cancel due to COVID-19. That number has since grown to eight cancellations, three postponements, and another that will take place as a virtual race. That means that after kicking off the year with the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K and the Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass 50K in January and the TARCtic Frozen Yeti on Feb. 1-2, the earliest the next in-person ultra in Massachusetts might take place is July. That’s a long time for ultrarunners to go without connecting with their trail tribe. Some race directors are doing what they can to minimize that disconnect even if races can’t take place in person at the moment by introducing virtual races, a concept that has exploded in popularity nationwide during the pandemic. Continue reading Race Directors Embrace Virtual Options to Keep Runners Motivated During Pandemic
