The Rock Hard Marathon lived up to its gritty name during its three-year run from 2014-2016 at the Freetown-Fall River State Forest in Assonet, Mass., challenging runners with plenty of singletrack and rocks with some tough hills thrown in for good measure.
The event is growing into an ultramarathon in 2017 and adopting a new name: the Freetown 50K. Continue reading Rock Hard Marathon Evolves into Freetown 50K for 2017
WESTWOOD, Mass. – A light drizzle pelted around 100 runners gathered in front of Powissett Lodge a few minutes before 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 25. A feeling of anxiety filled the air as they listened to race director Josh Katzman’s final instructions prior to the start of To Hale and Back, the six-hour trail ultramarathon that officially kicked off the Trail Animals Running Club’s new season.
“As always, look out for each other while you’re out there – especially today,” Katzman said. Continue reading 6 Hours of Slush, Ice and Snow Usher in New TARC Season
The following are the final results for the Trail Animals Running Club’s 2017 To Hale and Back 6-Hour Ultra and 5K from Saturday, March 25, at Hale Reservation in Westwood, Mass. Continue reading Results: To Hale and Back
The Somerville Road Runners hoped that 2016 would be an anomaly for the organization’s 24-Hour Ultra Around the Lake. Continue reading 24-Hour Ultra Around the Lake to be Absent Again in 2017
Lindsey Topham didn’t have filmmaking on her mind when she first connected with the Trail Animals Running Club in 2009. Instead, the Boston University graduate student was looking to photograph ultrarunners for a multimedia assignment. Additionally, having recently moved to Massachusetts from California, she hoped to make some new friends who could introduce her to the local trails.
Nearly eight years later, there is excitement in Topham’s voice as she reflects on her early interactions with TARC, how her connection to the organization blossomed both behind the camera and as a runner, and where her journey ultimately led. Continue reading ‘The Trails Are Free’ Brings TARC, Ultrarunning Culture to the Big Screen
Massachusetts has long been the center of the American road-running universe, thanks in large part to the storied and hard-earned tradition of the Boston Marathon. The trail- and ultrarunning community will snag a piece of the national spotlight in 2017, however, when The North Face Endurance Challenge comes to Massachusetts. Continue reading ‘Shared Love’ of Outdoors, Mountains leads TNFEC to Massachusetts
Some things never change about the Cape Cod Ultrarunning Society’s annual Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass run.
Fred Murolo is always there – the 60-year-old from Cheshire, Conn., is the only person to finish the 50K all 11 years – and it’s always cold. The specificity of the “cold” sometimes varies. There may be rain, snow, and temperatures ranging from the frigid single digits to the more manageable 40s, but the wind along the Cape ensures it’s always bone-chilling cold. Continue reading Familiar Faces and Elements at Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass
As the sun rose over Massachusetts on a blustery, 30-degree morning, Maddy McCarthy laced up her running shoes and headed out for a run. Meanwhile, Karen Ringheiser headed to the Middlesex Fells Reservation to lend support at the Fells Winter Ultra.
It was Saturday, Dec. 3; lottery day for Western States Endurance Run hopefuls. McCarthy and Ringheiser were among the 51 runners from Massachusetts and 4,248 applicants worldwide vying for 250 spots up for grabs in ultrarunning’s original 100-mile race.
Both McCarthy and Ringheiser knew the lottery day drill as well as anybody. For most, that drill involves starting the day feeling hopeful, eventually learning that their names weren’t drawn, and then beginning the search for a race to re-qualify for the following year’s lottery. Continue reading Worth the Wait: McCarthy, Ringheiser to Represent Massachusetts at Western States
Maddy McCarthy made a quick stop at the Highway 49 aid station and then cruised down a long stretch of smooth, winding singletrack before dashing across historic No Hands Bridge.
The iconic Western States course was beneath her feet, and it felt perfect. This was what she’d dreamed of.
Are you looking for a new podcast for your weekend long run while burning off a few extra Thanksgiving calories? Two recent ultrarunning-related podcasts featured interviews with people with Massachusetts ties. Continue reading Podcasts Featuring Ultrarunners with Local Ties for Your Weekend Long Run
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