Tag Archives: Massachusetts

‘Special Place’ Sparks Great Race for Olivito at Cape Cod 50K

During more than six years as an ultrarunner, Kara Olivito has frequently felt herself called to rugged mountain races like the Tahoe 200 in California, the Infinitus 48-hour in Vermont, and the Cloudsplitter 100 in Kentucky. She has thrived on those challenging courses and earned top-10 finishes each time. That said, some of her most meaningful miles have been run near the ocean – specifically on Cape Cod. Continue reading ‘Special Place’ Sparks Great Race for Olivito at Cape Cod 50K

Volunteers Outshine Vandals at Inaugural Mt. Toby Ultra

For more than a decade, the trails of western Massachusetts have been Amy Rusiecki’s playground. The rugged, rocky and at times steep terrain prepared her legs and lungs to succeed, propelling her to more than 35 ultramarathon victories and dozens more podium finishes. She’s grateful for all those trails have given her, and for years she has dreamed of sharing her training ground with others.

Last year she began doing that with the introduction of the Chesterfield Gorge Ultra and 25K trail race in West Chesterfield, Mass. On Saturday, April 6, she shared another of her favorite places to run when she played host to the inaugural Mt. Toby Ultra and 22K in Sunderland, Mass. Continue reading Volunteers Outshine Vandals at Inaugural Mt. Toby Ultra

Back at Hale, Burke Enjoys Another Big Run

Brian Burke has been To Hale and Back in 2019, and both times turned out pretty darn good.

It was just last month that Burke first went to Hale Reservation in Westwood, Mass., where he received an intense introduction to the reservation’s rocky, rooty, winding trail system through the woods. The occasion was the TARCtic Frozen Yeti, a 30-hour ultramarathon that took place in 20-degree temperatures while the trails were coated in a thick layer of ice and a dusting of snow.

Burke spent more than 28 hours on the trails that weekend in early February on a course that consisted of three five-mile mini-loops labeled Red, White and Blue. He was one of three runners to finish with 100 miles; one runner went farther.

After seven weeks away, Burke went back to Hale Reservation on Saturday, March 23. This time his stay was shorter. Rather than a 30-hour race, he was there alongside 112 other runners for the Trail Animals Running Club’s fourth annual To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra. Continue reading Back at Hale, Burke Enjoys Another Big Run

Reflections on the Frozen Yeti: Low on Heat, High on Heart

In the more than a month that has passed since the inaugural running of the TARCtic Frozen Yeti, the snow and ice on the trails has melted, disappeared, refallen and refrozen, and is in the process of melting once again.

Winter is beginning to release its grip on New England, so we’re taking one last look back at a first-year event that lived up to its name. Continue reading Reflections on the Frozen Yeti: Low on Heat, High on Heart