After 18 years as a 50-mile and marathon event, the Stone Cat organizers merged the two distances into one 50K race in 2019. The result was spirited competition in both the women’s and men’s fields where strong performances were plentiful and the outcome was in doubt until the final trip around the three-loop course. By the end of the day, the reinvented Stone Cat was an instant classic.
Continue reading After Cancellation in 2020, Stone Cat Registration to Open June 29Category Archives: G.A.C.
2021 G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K Canceled Due to Pandemic
The G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K is one of the longest running New England ultramarathons, as well as a favorite of many runners throughout the region. The classic event has kicked off the new year 21 times since 1998, with only the 2004 and 2018 events canceled due to inclement weather.
Continue reading 2021 G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K Canceled Due to Pandemic
Pandemic Forces Cancellation of Stone Cat 50K
For 18 years, the Stone Cat Trail Races challenged runners with 50-mile and marathon distances. The race organizers from G.A.C. in Topsfield transitioned the event to a single-distance offering of a 50K in 2019, and that inaugural event featured impressive performances and competitive battles in both the women’s and men’s races, setting the stage for a highly anticipated second edition of the 50K in 2020.
That second edition will have to wait. Continue reading Pandemic Forces Cancellation of Stone Cat 50K
Around 150 Runners Kick Off New Year at G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K
Runners endured the full spectrum of weather conditions during the first 20 years of the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K, from bone-chilling temperatures far below freezing, to blizzard conditions, to rain, ice, sun and unseasonably warm temperatures.
The 21st annual event took place Saturday, Jan. 4, at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield, Mass., and it featured a little bit of everything. Patches of snow and ice covered the 6.2-mile loop course, as did a fair amount of mud thanks to some thawing in the mid-40s temperatures and the rain that fell on and off during the race. The damp yet comfortable conditions were ideal for runners who sought several loops and didn’t mind having mud-coated calves and shoes. Continue reading Around 150 Runners Kick Off New Year at G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K
Results: G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K
The 21st annual G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K took place Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield, Mass. Around 150 runners took part in the classic New England ultramarathon to kick off the new year, with 30 completing five loops of the course for a 50K finish and another dozen completing a marathon. Continue reading Results: G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K
A Stacked Field, a Spirited Race and a Smith Victory at Stone Cat
IPSWICH, Mass. – The friendly banter, the anxious smiles, the fidgeting and deep breathing… all were on display in the minutes leading up to the start of the Stone Cat 50K, foreshadowing what was about to happen.
Yes, the runners were chilly – it was just 31 degrees on this sunny Saturday morning – but they were also nervous. This day was going to hurt, especially for those who hoped to contend for the win. After 18 years of offering 50-mile and marathon distances, the Stone Cat organizers combined the two races into a single 50K offering this year. That meant the fastest fellas were all in one race, and they all knew it. Continue reading A Stacked Field, a Spirited Race and a Smith Victory at Stone Cat
Nawn Celebrates Return to New England with Stone Cat Victory
IPSWICH, Mass. – When Cori Nawn stepped to the starting line of the Stone Cat 50K on Saturday morning, she didn’t know what to expect of the competition around her. Then again, it wasn’t of much concern to her. She was just happy to be there.
“I recently moved back to the area from Texas,” Nawn said. “I lived in San Antonio for five years and I moved back up here after getting my Ph.D. I’m really happy to be back, and I just wanted to run a fall race because fall is my favorite season.” Continue reading Nawn Celebrates Return to New England with Stone Cat Victory
Photos: Stone Cat 50K
The 19th annual Stone Cat Trail Race and first running of the event as a 50K rather than a 50-mile/marathon event took place Saturday, Nov. 2, at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, Mass. The following are just a handful of photos from the race. A full photo gallery with 163 photos can be viewed on the MassUltra Facebook page at this link. Continue reading Photos: Stone Cat 50K
Results: Stone Cat 50K
The 19th annual Stone Cat Trail Race took place Saturday, Nov. 2, at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, Mass. While it was the 19th running of the event, it was also the first year that it has been a 50K race. In previous years Stone Cat has been a 50-mile and marathon event. The new distance meant course records were up for grabs, and more than 200 runners took part in this year’s race. Continue reading Results: Stone Cat 50K
Little Rain, Lot of Good Times at 20th Annual G.A.C. Fat Ass 50
TOPSFIELD, Mass. – A thunderstorm inched closer to Topsfield during the morning hours on Saturday, Jan. 5, creating an ominous sky above and around Bradley Palmer State Park.
Runners coming to the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50 from the north and south drove through spurts of steady precipitation. Upon arrival at the park, however, they experienced reprieve from the rain. Radar showed that the storm that for hours had barreled toward the park split as it neared the Topsfield town border. There was rain to the north and rain to the south, but Bradley Palmer State Park was dry. Indeed, it was a good day to run. Continue reading Little Rain, Lot of Good Times at 20th Annual G.A.C. Fat Ass 50
