After Years of Intrigue, Hale Reservation Staff Embraces Its Inner Trail Animal

WESTWOOD, Mass. – Shannon Obey can’t help but chuckle as she reflects on the early days of Hale Reservation’s relationship with the Trail Animals Running Club.

The Trail Animals had played host to their inaugural TARC 100 in June 2013. That year’s race took place in Weston, and it has lovingly gone down in TARC history as “the Mud-Fest.” The course took runners through a floodplain, and true to the word, the course flooded. Those who finished endured four 25-mile loops of post-holing in the mud and tromping through knee-deep water in some places.

Worried they’d wear out their welcome in Weston, the Trail Animals went looking for a new home for the race. Continue reading After Years of Intrigue, Hale Reservation Staff Embraces Its Inner Trail Animal

Harper Victorious at Frozen Yeti with Help from Her Trail Animal Friends

WESTWOOD, Mass. – A smile glowed on Carolyn Harper’s face and she raised her hands in the air as she ran the final strides toward Powissett Lodge. Friends cheered for her as she rounded the corner of the building, strode up the stairs and stepped through the door to check in.

One hundred miles were done. But was she? Continue reading Harper Victorious at Frozen Yeti with Help from Her Trail Animal Friends

Runners Counter Ice, Cold with Spirit, Grit at Inaugural Frozen Yeti

Editor’s Note: This is the first of multiple follow-up stories from the TARCtic Frozen Yeti. Several additional stories are in the works and will be posted in the next few days.

WESTWOOD, Mass. – As registrations for the inaugural TARCtic Frozen Yeti began rolling in months ago and the ultramarathon sold out, entrants were cautioned that they should prepare for bitterly cold New England temperatures and snow. A mandatory gear list straight out of the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc was established.

To put it bluntly, runners knew what they were signing up for. Continue reading Runners Counter Ice, Cold with Spirit, Grit at Inaugural Frozen Yeti

MassUltra Roundup: Rocky Raccoon

Most New England ultrarunners who sought out a starting line last weekend headed to Westwood, Mass., for the inaugural TARCtic Frozen Yeti 30-Hour Ultra. Meanwhile, a handful headed to Texas to take on one of the sport’s classic 100-milers: the Rocky Raccoon 100 in Huntsville. Boston’s Kate Cook and Boylston’s Neil Feldman both earned finisher’s belt buckles for their efforts, and they get this week’s roundup all to themselves after what was an otherwise light weekend of out-of-state racing. Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Rocky Raccoon

Results: TARCtic Frozen Yeti

The inaugural TARCtic Frozen Yeti 30-Hour Ultra and 15-mile races took place Feb. 2-3 at Hale Reservation in Westwood, Mass. In the 30-hour race, 108 runners completed at least 30 miles. Another 55 finished the 15-mile race.

RESULTS
30-Hour Results
Place; Name, Age; City, State; Miles – Time
1 Carolyn Harper, 27; Somerville, MA; 105 – 28:55:48
2 Josh Katzman, 39; Arlington, MA; 100 – 24:57:23
T3 William McElroy Jr., 42; Malden, MA; 100 – 28:48:19
T3 Brian Burke, 37; Somerville, MA; 100 – 28:48:19
5 Jean Labedan, 47; LaSalle, QC; 90 – 28:18:08
6 Sylvain Gelinas, 46; Sherbrooke, QC; 75 – 17:44:00
7 Sylvain Rousseau, 51; Sherbrooke, QC; 75 – 20:20:31
8 Fernando Salcido, 46; Somerville, MA; 75 – 22:52:27
9 Will Holets, 30; Boston, MA; 75 – 24:26:23
10 Ron Woolley, 48; Cohasset, MA; 75 – 24:30:13
11 Patrick Hayes, 35; Newton, MA; 75 – 26:05:40
60-mile finishers
12 Joshua Grzegorzewski, 43; Malden, MA; 60 – 13:36:34
13 Justin Kousky, 38; Westport, CT; 60 -13:51:45
14 Jacob Varekamp, 44; Norwell, MA; 60 – 14:09:45
15 Jason Gray, 39; Northbridge, MA; 60 -15:07:47
16 Brian Roccapriore, 40; Clinton, CT; 60 – 17:36:14
17 Benjamin Manning, 27; Sturbridge, MA; 60 – 17:56:15
18 Akira Yatsuhashi, 48; Oneonta, NY; 60 – 18:00:41
19 Prem Linskey, 29; Huntington, VT; 60 – 18:23:13
20 Tess Harvey, 29; Brighton, MA; 60 – 18:38:39
21 John Sherback, 39; North Easton, MA; 60 – 18:55:43
22 Adam Kempner, 46; North Easton, MA; 60 – 18:55:48
23 Shane McNally, 39; Everett, MA; 60 -19:04:51
24 John Brindamour, 38; Narragansett, RI; 60 -25:33:15
25 Richard Langevin, 61; Biddeford, ME; 60 – 27:34:02
26 Colleen, Smith, 35; Nashua, NH; 60 – 28:32:35
27 Thor Stone, 34; White Plains, NY; 60 – 28:40:37
28 Brandon Sweet, 30; Foxboro, MA; 60 – 28:56:18
45-mile finishers
29 Johan Keller, 34; Malden, MA; 45 – 8:17:46
30 Art Beauregard, 40; Framingham, MA; 45 – 11:15:52
31 Ian McLachlan, 32; Brookline, MA; 45 – 11:32:22
32 Matthew Burrell, 33; South Windsor, CT; 45 – 12:50:39
33 Taylor Scull, 37; Bedford, NH; 45 – 13:31:15
34 Joshua Milich, 28; Somerset, MA; 45 – 13:55:56
35 Brian Tjersland, 51; Dartmouth, MA; 45 – 13:55:58
36 Justin Chauvin, 26; Sturbridge, MA; 45 – 14:14:55
37 Jodi Badershall, 41; Freeman Township, ME; 45 – 14:19:12
38 Jonathan Barboza, 39; Dartmouth, MA; 45 – 14:22:50
39 Kiel Ormerod, 33; Medford, MA; 45 – 14:43:21
40 Andrew Beckman, 47; Framingham, MA; 45 – 15:49:11
41 Peter Guza, 38; North Andover, MA; 45 – 16:16:00
42 Elizabeth Gillis, 30; Lowell, MA; 45 – 17:07:26
43 Marie Gryszowka, 34; Spencer, MA; 45 – 18:22:50
44 Theresa Berna, 49; Lyndeborough, NH; 45 – 18:22:53
45 Shannon Plesh, 33; Lincoln, RI; 45 – 23:20:01
46 David Drebsky, 38; Plainview, NY; 45 – 23:20:08
47 Douglas Hall, 41; Belmont, MA; 45 – 25:44:53
30-mile finishers
48 Brendon Campbell, 34; Medford, MA; 30 – 6:02:21
49 Kara Olivito, 36; Medford, MA; 30 – 6:11:27
50 Carsten Braun, 50; Greenfield, MA; 30 – 6:12:54
51 Ryan Triffitt, 43; Topsham, ME; 30 – 6:14:05
52 Tracy Schultz, 36; Waltham, MA; 30 – 6:16:19
53 Steve Fleck, 35; Mendon, MA; 30 – 6:20:43
54 Matthew Henschel, 40; Jamaica Plain, MA; 30 – 6:22:28
55 Matthew Smith, 30; Cambridge, MA; 30 – 6:27:25
56 Ross Anderson, 39; Franklin, MA; 30 – 6:37:21
57 Dima Feinhaus, 55; Waban, MA; 30 – 6:43:25
58 Danielle Triffitt, 43; Topsham, ME; 30 – 6:45:42
59 Serena Wilcox, 39; Richmond, VT; 30 – 7:01:35
60 Jessica Goldman, 46; Dover, NH; 30 – 7:02:54
61 Jason Downer, 44; Rochester, NH; 30 – 7:02:58
62 Chris Risko, 50; Falmouth, MA; 30 – 7:15:15
63 Nicole Hazlett, 39; New Gloucester, ME; 30 – 7:37:13
64 Ryan Powers, 38; Fairhaven, MA; 30 – 7:44:55
65 Frank Hacket, 37; Medway, MA; 30 – 7:47:48
66 Gerald Audet, 33; Douglas, MA; 30 – 7:48:32
67 Sasha Oliveria, 32; Worcester, MA; 30 – 7:48:58
68 Todd Chiaramida, 42; Sharon, MA; 30 – 7:54:41
69 Brice Norton Hennelly, 39; Watertown, MA; 30 – 8:04:41
70 Neil Lacey, 64; Ayer, MA; 30 – 8:11:50
71 Meredith Pinault, 41; Belmont, MA; 30 – 8:23:43
72 Lynn Poyant, 55; New Bedford, MA; 30 – 8:24:06
73 Michael Fernandes, 38; Middleboro, MA; 30 – 8:26:17
74 Rebecca Ferrante, 44; Lynnfield, MA; 30 – 8:34:25
75 Bob Warren, 58; Attleboro, MA; 30 – 8:34:45
76 Pete Despres, 53; Fairhaven, MA; 30 – 8:35:23
77 Joel Reed, 30; Groton, MA; 30 – 8:42:16
78 Mirela Postelnicu, 43; Middletown, CT; 30 – 8:43:46
79 Michael Crutchley, 48; North Stonington, CT; 30 – 8:56:40
80 Claire Robinson-White, 39; Richmond, VT; 30 – 9:05:15
81 Christopher Agbay, 41; Jefferson, MA; 30 – 9:11:25
82 Michael Bates, 53; Acushnet, MA; 30 – 9:11:28
83 Kevin Mullen, 61; Fairhaven, MA; 30 – 9:11:31
84 Nate Combs, 58; Andover, MA; 30 – 9:18:48
85 Dani Rai, 36; Dorchester, MA; 30 – 9:20:37
86 Jason Bromberg, 37; Danvers, MA; 30 – 9:30:54
87 Michelle Swanson, 55; Malden, MA; 30 – 9:36:02
88 Tracy Vanisky, 43; Wilmington, MA; 30 – 9:37:16
89 Bill Howard, 70; Winchester, MA; 30 – 9:37:36
90 Alison Lackey, 37; Woburn, MA; 30 – 9:40:19
91 Leslie Allen, 36; North Andover, MA; 30 – 9:40:44
92 Dietmar Bago, 50; Andover, MA; 30 – 9:43:55
93 Bryan Twomey, 36; Norwich, CT; 30 – 10:47:45
94 Jonathan Parker, 34; Winchester, MA; 30 – 10:51:42
95 Dana Mawn, 48; North Andover, MA; 30 – 11:07:19
96 Dylan Leonard, 20; Chelmsford, MA; 30 – 11:09:31
97 Kevin Paige, 49; Manchester, NH; 30 – 11:28:52
98 Nicola Riello, 38; Lanesborough, MA; 30 – 11:54:53
99 Mike Caristi, 50; Mont Vernon, NH; 30 – 11:57:11
100 Caitlin Rossi, 35; Torrington, CT; 30 – 11:57:16
101 Laurie Brown, 51; Hollis, NH: 30 – 11:58:00
102 Julie O’Mara, 47; Westminster, MA; 30 – 11:58:57
103 Pranee Terry, 42; Salem Township, ME; 30 – 12:00:38
104 Stephanie LeBlanc, 49; Madison, ME; 30 – 12:05:07
105 Emily Fox, 23; Vestal, NY; 30 – 12:34:38
106 Craig Fox, 28; Malden, MA; 30 – 12:34:39
107 Kerry Cudmore, 54; Westport, MA; 30 – 12:53:39
108 Torben Arend, 48; Westwood, MA; 30 – 24:33:24

15-Mile Results
Place; Name, Age; City, State; Time
1 Patrick Caron, 21; Needham, MA; 1:53:50
2 Evren Gunduz, 36; Cambridge, MA; 2:04:16
3 Christopher Knighton, 30; Allston, MA; 2:06:45
4 Scot DeDeo, 38; Belmont, MA; 2:11:54
5 Marc Almanzan, 36; Jamaica Plain, MA; 2:14:33
6 Frederic Bouvet, 34; Arlington, MA; 2:19:01
7 Kevan Hauver, 44; Coventry, RI; 2:29:44
8 Sean Haggerty, 49; Wellesley, MA; 2:31:33
9 Jeremy Shaw, 33; Watertown, MA; 2:33:00
10 Adam Gallagher, 35; Cranston, RI; 2:38:29
11 Sarah Smith-Tripp, 22; Wellesley, MA; 2:43:40
12 Matt Dibb, 38; Hull, MA; 2:46:36
13 Ann Welch, 38; Medford, MA; 2:56:28
14 Olivier Negre, 44; Cambridge, MA; 2:58:11
15 Kenneth Thoman, 38; Rowley, MA; 3:03:51
16 Joseph Drebaum, 37; Medford, MA; 3:04:10
17 Fabien Llambi, 40; Cambridge, MA; 3:13:44
18 Todd Sankey, 56; Mansfield, MA; 3:17:31
19 Shannon Austin, 50; Morrisville, VT; 3:19:01
20 Adam Hogue, 30; Cranston, RI; 3:23:02
21 Jeremy Bombard, 44; Framingham, MA; 3:23:06
22 Dean Clark, 52; Weymouth, MA; 3:25:53
23 Jackie St. Louis, 31; Somerville, MA; 3:26:51
24 Michelle Shaw, 40; Wellesley, MA; 3:30:10
25 Jamie Berger-Brinker, 41; Cranston, RI; 3:41:03
26 Devon samson, 42; Arlington, MA; 3:44:40
27 Sara Pearson, 34; West Warwick, RI; 3:45:34
28 Deb Anderson, 44; Wilbraham, MA; 3:46:53
29 Michelle Costa, 42; Fall River, MA; 3:50:09
30 Diane Souza, 53; Fall River, MA; 3:50:15
31 Tracy Long, 46; Dennis Port, MA; 3:53:26
32 Heidi Monroe, 48; Bristol, RI; 3:56:14
33 Samantha Woodworth, 25; Worcester, MA; 3:57:01
34 Stephen Galloway, 55; Framingham, MA; 3:58:13
35 Don Keren, 63; Melrose, MA; 3:59:44
36 Katya Divari, 57; Ashland, MA; 3:59:48
37 Mies Bastille, 33; Worcester, MA; 4:01:52
38 Alexandria Mauck, 57; Westport Point, MA; 4:04:04
39 Matthew McCarthy, 22; Stoneham, MA; 4:05:32
40 Bart McCarthy, 46; Beverly, MA; 4:05:37
41 Ben Ibey, 43; North Hampton, NH; 4:05:45
42 Nichole Ogilvie, 33; Raynham, MA; 4:05:54
43 Vincent Savino, 54; New Bedford, MA; 4:06:50
44 Jennifer Graves, 48; Worcester, MA; 4:08:36
45 Matthew Edwards, 50; Lincoln, RI; 4:10:57
46 Sean Walker, 43; Ashburnham, MA; 4:14:12
47 Aura Alves-Mauricio, 46; Westport, MA; 4:15:26
48 Amy Faraone, 45; Attleboro, MA; 4:18:16
49 Christine Eisenhower, 33; Providence, RI; 4:18:19
50 Jeff Hattem, 67; Natick, MA; 4:29:46
51 Umesh Phirke, 42; Newton, MA; 4:43:22
52 Meredith Nash, 45; West Hartford, CT; 4:47:53
53 Greg Nash, 59; West Hartford, CT; 4:47:58
54 Alex Kates, 51; Marlborough, MA; 4:51:52
55 Vikas Issar, 44; Westborough, MA; 5:00:33

MassUltra Roundup: Arches, AZT Oracle, and Big Bend

The warm weather of the west coast and southwest attracted ultrarunners from Massachusetts and greater New England in recent weeks. That included Jeremy Scanlan of Worcester, Mass., who earned a podium finish at the Arches Ultra in Utah. In addition to Arches, last weekend’s AZT Oracle Rumble in Arizona and the Big Bend Ultra from Jan. 20 in Texas are featured in this week’s roundup. Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Arches, AZT Oracle, and Big Bend

Frigid Weather Doesn’t Deter Record Turnout at 13th Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass

The sun was shining at Sandy Neck Beach as runners arrived on Saturday morning, Jan. 12, and made their way from the cozy confines of the Snack Shop down to the starting line on the sand.

The blue sky, lack of snow, and seaside location may have hinted that it was a warm day, but that was far from the case. The Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass 50K has had its share of diverse weather during its first 12 years, ranging from warm temperatures and sunny skies, to rain and snow. The 13th edition of the race in Barnstable, Mass., was no different. The sun was a disguise for the 20-degree temperature and strong wind gusts that froze the runners to their core. Continue reading Frigid Weather Doesn’t Deter Record Turnout at 13th Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass

MassUltra Roundup: HURT 100 and Crystal Springs 50K

More than 200 ultrarunners – most of them from New England – are counting down the days until the inaugural TARCtic Frozen Yeti 30-hour ultra and 15-mile races. Two weeks before taking on what are anticipated to be frigid conditions in the Bay State, a few local runners sought refuge on the trails in much warmer climates. For Ryan Fecteau of Danvers, Mass., that meant heading to Hawaii for the HURT 100. Meanwhile, Lynnfield, Mass., resident Dan Kelley headed back to sunny California for another successful race. Both of their performances are featured in this week’s roundup. Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: HURT 100 and Crystal Springs 50K

Going beyond the marathon in Massachusetts