Tag Archives: Massachusetts

Mt. Toby

Volunteers Outshine Vandals at Inaugural Mt. Toby Ultra

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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 →

TARC

Back at Hale, Burke Enjoys Another Big Run

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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 →

TARC

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

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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 →

Mt. Toby

New England’s Newest Ultra Set for April at Mt. Toby in Sunderland

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The ultrarunning scene in Western Massachusetts is getting a new race in 2019.
The inaugural Mt. Toby Ultra is the newest addition to the growing ultramarathon racing schedule in the Bay State’s more mountainous half, and it’s the second Massachusetts ultra to be organized by Race Director Amy Rusiecki. Continue reading New England’s Newest Ultra Set for April at Mt. Toby in Sunderland →

TARC

Chance Meeting Sparks Friendship, 100-Mile Finishes for Burke, McElroy

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WESTWOOD, Mass. — Brian Burke strode through the door of Powissett Lodge, checked in with the timekeepers, and was about to grab a snack when he spotted a familiar face: William McElroy Jr.

It was early Saturday evening, Feb. 2, and both Burke and McElroy had already run 50 miles apiece — most of them solo — during the past 11 hours at the TARCtic Frozen Yeti 30-Hour Ultra at Hale Reservation. The trail was covered in ice and snow, and the temperature hadn’t reached 30 degrees all day. Those 50 miles had been grueling.

This chance meeting in the event’s aid station was a game-changer. It was also uniquely appropriate. Continue reading Chance Meeting Sparks Friendship, 100-Mile Finishes for Burke, McElroy →

TARC

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

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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 →

TARC

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

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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 →