Results: TNFEC-Wachusett Mountain

The second annual The North Face Endurance Challenge—Massachusetts took place June 9-10 at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Mass. Runners took part in 50-mile and 50K ultramarathons on Saturday, as well as a marathon and team relay. A half marathon, 10K, and 5K were offered on Sunday. Results from the ultramarathon distances are provided below. Continue reading Results: TNFEC-Wachusett Mountain

Going Global: Transvulcania Kicks Off Next Chapter of Caron’s Career

Ever since he burst onto the ultrarunning scene in September 2015 as a precocious 18-year-old at the TARC Fall Classic 50-miler, many in New England wondered how long it would take for Patrick Caron to showcase is talent on a larger stage. Continue reading Going Global: Transvulcania Kicks Off Next Chapter of Caron’s Career

MassUltra Roundup: Salomon OutdoorFest, Kettle Moraine, New Jersey, Lighthouse, and Dam Yeti

While nearly 80 runners took part in the inaugural Chesterfield Gorge Ultras and 25K on June 2-3, a handful of others headed beyond the Bay State to tackle new trails at new races. Some, like Cambridge resident Carly Tucker, traveled to nearby New York and earned a podium finish at the Salomon OutdoorFest, or Quincy’s Matthew McKenna, who won a 50K in New Jersey. Others, like Milton’s Oliver Truog and Boston’s Greg Watson, headed to the heartland and ran 100 miles and 100 kilometers, respectively, at the Kettle Moraine Endurance Runs. In addition to those races, local runners earned finishes at the Lighthouse Ultras in Michigan and the Dam Yeti 50 in Virginia. Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Salomon OutdoorFest, Kettle Moraine, New Jersey, Lighthouse, and Dam Yeti

No Big Bear? No Problem: Venue Change Doesn’t Deter Runners at Watuppa

When construction delays at the DCR Massasoit State Park campgrounds created uncertainty about Northeast Race Management’s ability to play host to the Big Bear 50K and 30K races this year, race organizers didn’t spend much time fretting. Instead, they got to work searching for a new venue to make sure runners could still have an opportunity to race.

The solution came on the familiar trails of Watuppa Reservation in Fall River, Mass., where Northeast Race Management was already putting on trail races at shorter distances. Instead of a one-day affair, they expanded it to a two-day distance-running festival and rolled over runners’ Big Bear entries into the ultramarathon and 30K races at the Watuppa Trail Races. The end result was that runners still had an opportunity to compete, and they were treated to a warm day of racing on a five-loop course on Sunday, May 20. Continue reading No Big Bear? No Problem: Venue Change Doesn’t Deter Runners at Watuppa

Smith’s Streak Continues, Jackson Earns Elusive Win at Mother’s Day 6-Hour

William Jackson and Kristen Smith have been mainstays near the front of the pack in recent years at the G.A.C. Mother’s Day 6-Hour Run, with Smith earning a few victories and Jackson coming close.

At the 24th annual race, which took place Sunday, May 13, at Bradley Palmer State Forest in Topsfield, Mass., Smith once again claimed the top spot among the women while Jackson finally secured the top spot among the men. Continue reading Smith’s Streak Continues, Jackson Earns Elusive Win at Mother’s Day 6-Hour

Roundup: Massanutten, Cruel Jewel, PCT, Superior, and the Keys Ultras

Kelsey Allen made her long-awaited 100-mile debut at the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 in Virginia, and she didn’t disappoint. The gritty mountain-runner turned in a second-place finish in her first crack at triple-digit mileage. Not to be outdone, Tom Flummerfelt headed back to Georgia and delivered a third consecutive top-10 finish at the Cruel Jewel 100. Other Massachusetts ultrarunners joined them in Virginia and Georgia, as well as at races in Florida, Minnesota, and California. We’ve got ‘em covered in this week’s roundup. Continue reading Roundup: Massanutten, Cruel Jewel, PCT, Superior, and the Keys Ultras

Results: Watuppa Trail Races

The Big Bear 50K and 30K races were unable to be held this year at Massasoit State Park, so Northeast Race Management added an ultramarathon to its event the same weekend at the Watuppa Reservation in Fall River, Mass., to make sure runners who wanted more mileage still had the opportunity. Continue reading Results: Watuppa Trail Races

Going beyond the marathon in Massachusetts