Christopher Agbay stood at the trailhead and stared into the woods ahead of him. The sun was still rising, gradually illuminating the trail he was about to take on. On good days, the Wapack Trail packs a serious punch. On days where conditions aren’t so great—days like this—it can be downright grueling. Thunderstorms had recently soaked the area for several hours. Now here he was, at 6:45 a.m., ready to embrace whatever the trails had in store for him. Continue reading Ultra Lessons Propel Agbay, Bakery to Find Opportunity, Optimism Amid Pandemic
Tag Archives: COVID-19
For Levandosky, Land Conservation is Key to Protecting, Expanding Trails
While out for a run on the Ware River Rail-Trail on Tuesday, March 31, Steve Levandosky encountered a sign that inspired him to stop, pull out his phone and snap a photo.
“Use of this trail is a privilege & not a right,” the sign read.
The message resonated with Levandosky—both the first and second parts of it. Continue reading For Levandosky, Land Conservation is Key to Protecting, Expanding Trails
Mt. Toby Ultra Canceled
The Mt. Toby Ultra is the latest Massachusetts ultramarathon to be canceled due to the coronavirus. Continue reading Mt. Toby Ultra Canceled
With Ultras On Hold, Gryszowka Makes a Difference One Mask at a Time
Since running her first trail ultramarathon in 2015, Marie Gryszowka has steadily pushed her limits, tackling more mileage, taking on bigger adventures, and never backing down from a challenge. The 2019 season was her biggest yet, with at least seven ultramarathon finishes – including her first two 100-milers. Continue reading With Ultras On Hold, Gryszowka Makes a Difference One Mask at a Time
TARC’s ‘Don’t Run Boston’ Canceled
One of New England’s original ultramarathons, the Trail Animals Running Club’s ‘Don’t Run Boston’ Ultras, has been canceled due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading TARC’s ‘Don’t Run Boston’ Canceled
Plymouth Ultra Postponed Until October
Those hoping to run the inaugural Plymouth’s Long, Hard & Dirty Ultra in April are out of luck. Those willing to wait a few months longer, however, might luck out. Continue reading Plymouth Ultra Postponed Until October
Wapack and Back is Latest Race to be Canceled
The Trail Animals Running Club’s classic Wapack and Back trail ultramarathon was canceled today, runners learned in an email from the race directors, followed by a post on the club’s Facebook page. Continue reading Wapack and Back is Latest Race to be Canceled
From the Editor’s Desk: Telling Stories While Our Sport Presses Pause
Whether you first started reading the site this year or you’ve been following along from the beginning in early 2016, you likely came to MassUltra because you care about your local ultrarunning community. You’re here because you want to know the latest news, because you draw inspiration from the people around you, or because you simply want to feel a little more connected. It’s probably some combination of all of those reasons; in fact, all of them played a role in my decision to launch this site four-plus years ago, and they are why it continues today. Continue reading From the Editor’s Desk: Telling Stories While Our Sport Presses Pause
Ultra-Endurance Researchers Urge Halt to Events Through June 15
Just weeks before the 2020 ultrarunning slate in New England was set to kick into high gear, the sport — and most of everyday life — is grinding to a halt thanks to the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
Schools have been shuttered for weeks or more, workers have been ordered to stay home and work remotely if possible, layoffs have begun in the service industry and others, and life as normal has ceased to be, well, normal. Continue reading Ultra-Endurance Researchers Urge Halt to Events Through June 15
TARC Spring Classic is Latest Race Canceled Due to COVID-19
Michael McDuffie and Annie Gagliardi, co-Race Directors for the Trail Animals Running Club’s TARC Spring Classic, hoped their race on April 25 in Weston, Mass., would be able to avoid cancellation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they let runners know not to get their hopes up. Just days ago, McDuffie pegged the chances of the race taking place at “15.2 percent.”
On Wednesday evening, the percentage dropped to zero when McDuffie made the announcement that the race was canceled. Continue reading TARC Spring Classic is Latest Race Canceled Due to COVID-19
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