From the moment the sun rose over Great Brook Farm State Park on Saturday, Sept. 6, runners at the Trail Animals Running Club’s TARC Fall Classic knew a storm was coming. The race was on–against the clock, and to beat the rain. Those in the sub-ultra distances had no need to worry, but the early starters in the event’s ultramarathons spent the day with one eye on the trail and the other eye on the sky with Carlisle, Mass., and most of the region under a severe thunderstorm watch.

The sun hadn’t yet risen as runners gathered near the starting line for the Trail Animals Running Club’s TARC Fall Classic on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, Mass. It was a little before 6 a.m., and runners in the 50-mile and 50K ultramarathons topped off their bottles, double-checked their packs and tightened their laces as Race Director Patrick Caron delivered the pre-race briefing.

The Trail Animals Running Club played host to the 11th edition of the TARC Fall Classic on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, Mass. The following are a small sample of photos from the day taken by MassUltra Editor Chris Wristen. A full gallery of 325 photos can be viewed here.

The Trail Animals Running Club played host to the 11th edition of the TARC Fall Classic on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, Mass. Runners took on the traditional Fall Classic distances of 50 miles, 50K, half marathon and 10K, as well as two new additions to the lineup this year – a 20-mile run and a 1/2-mile free youth fun run. The event had a huge turnout with 436 runners toeing the starting line at the various distances.

For years the TARC Fall Classic was something of the Patrick Caron show. The native of Needham, Mass., made his ultrarunning debut at the 2015 event and turned heads with his runner-up finish in the 50-mile race in 8:19:45 at just 18 years old. He returned to run the 50-miler during each of the next three years, setting new course records each time, concluding with a sizzling 6:52:04 performance in 2018.

The Trail Animals Running Club’s return to trail racing took another step forward today with the announcement that registration is now open for the TARC Fall Classic.

CARLISLE, Mass. — The fall feelings didn’t last long. Shortly after the headlamps were ditched and the sun rose over Great Brook Farm State Park on Saturday, Sept. 28, the ninth annual TARC Fall Classic turned into a toasty trail-running affair.

Gone were the 49-degree temperatures that chilled runners as they huddled at the starting line. In their place were sunny skies, lots of sweat and a 70-degree morning that evolved into an 80-degree afternoon. It made for challenging conditions on a day where many in attendance were likely eager to enjoy the cooler comfort that late September typically brings to New England. Several runners withdrew as the day progressed, but many persevered and some had breakthrough performances. The Fall Classic’s 10-mile loop course is designed to be fast with its good footing and rolling hills, and this year’s 50-mile and 50K ultramarathons didn’t disappoint. Continue reading Runners Handle the Heat at Sun-Soaked Fall Classic →