After a relatively slow and quiet start to the 2021 racing season, the final weekend of March was sizzling with several races across the country and some big performances by runners from New England. Most notably, two Massachusetts men — Scott Traer and Lance Doherty — finished in the top three overall at the Umstead 100-miler in North Carolina while Crystal Ross also had a big day and came within 2 minutes of finishing on the women’s podium. In addition to six races from the last weekend of March, we’ve also highlighted the big day that some local runners had a week earlier at the F.I.T. Challenge 50K in Rhode Island. The COVID-19 vaccination rate is rising and so are the number of in-person ultras taking place, making this a jam-packed roundup.
Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Umstead, Naked Prussian/Bavarian, Behind the Rocks, Spring On the Trails, Prairie Spirit, and F.I.T. ChallengeTag Archives: COVID-19
TARC’s ‘Don’t Run Boston’ Trail Ultras Tentatively Approved
On Monday, March 22, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will move to Phase 4 of its reopening plan a little more than a year after it began closing down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the move to Phase 4, the limits on outdoor gatherings in public places will increase to 150 people. The move to Phase 4 was good news for Howie Breinan, the founder and race director for the Trail Animals Running Club’s original and longest running event, the ‘Don’t Run Boston’ 50K and 50-miler at the Blue Hills Reservation.
Continue reading TARC’s ‘Don’t Run Boston’ Trail Ultras Tentatively ApprovedMassUltra Roundup: Yeti 7/11 and No Man’s 50K
In-person ultras remain on hold in Massachusetts as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout slowly gains steam in the Bay State, but in-person racing continues to take place in several other states along the East Coast. Two of them were held last weekend and had Massachusetts residents among the finishers. Sutton’s Greg Wolodkin kicked off what he hopes will be a big year of racing with a trip to Georgia for the Yeti 7/11-Hour race, while Worcester’s Brenda Morris took part in a women-only race in Virginia. Both events are covered in this week’s roundup.
Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Yeti 7/11 and No Man’s 50KMassUltra Roundup: Last Skier Standing, Rocky Raccoon 100, and ICY-8
In-person running ultramarathon events have been largely halted in New England this winter as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the region, but an in-person skiing ultra event took place last weekend in New Hampshire that drew more than 80 competitors to the unique ultra-distance event. The Last Skier Standing race leads off this week’s roundup, which also includes the Rocky Raccoon 100-miler in Texas and the ICY-8 time-based ultra in Virginia.
Continue reading MassUltra Roundup: Last Skier Standing, Rocky Raccoon 100, and ICY-8
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 2021
TARC Cancels 3 More 2021 Races as Pandemic Rages On
The Trail Animals Running Club (TARC) was forced to cancel nine of its 10 trail races in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the United States. A massive spike in positive cases and hospitalizations tied to Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday gatherings and travel, coupled with a slow rollout of vaccines, made it clear that COVID-19 isn’t yet done ravaging the TARC Trail Series.
Continue reading TARC Cancels 3 More 2021 Races as Pandemic Rages On
From the Editor’s Desk: 2020 Reminded Us of Value of Community
It’s a little after 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, just a few hours until we officially kick 2020 to the curb and welcome in 2021 with hope and optimism for better days ahead.
Continue reading From the Editor’s Desk: 2020 Reminded Us of Value of Community
Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass 50K Will Take Place in 2021 – With a Twist
Two early-season ultramarathons in Massachusetts have already canceled their 2021 races due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but another is forging ahead. The Cape Cod Ultrarunning Society is going ahead with its plans to play host to 15th annual Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass 50K/25K races.
Continue reading Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass 50K Will Take Place in 2021 – With a Twist
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
Final 2020 Virtual Trail Running Film Festival Set for Dec. 5
The Trail Running Film Festival is revving up for one last virtual show of 2020.
Continue reading Final 2020 Virtual Trail Running Film Festival Set for Dec. 5