My early ultrarunning milestones - Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania
In my early days of running, I didn’t take very many pictures and I wasn’t using GPS tracking. As such, I’m missing enough content for my standard article format. However, my early days of running were formative with respect to trail running and ultramarathons. As such, I’ve pulled together some memories of these races, and I hope that they inspire you to either run one of these races or start your own ultrarunning journey.
My First Trail Race: Bobcat Trail Marathon
This was my first trail run race, and only my second marathon distance run (the first being the Chicago marathon the year before). I credit this race with establishing my love for trails and ultrarunning. This is a great place for someone to tackle their first longer trail run before they move up to the 50k runs.
WEBSITE: http://www.bobcattrailmarathon.org/
DISTANCES OFFERED: 26.2 (Marathon)
BEST FOR: All skill levels. The run is challenging since you need to pick up your feet running through leaves most of the time. The race is in November, so it is possible to have below freezing temperatures.
LOGISTICS: The ideal place to stay is at the Burr Oak State Park Lodge (book early!!!). I was lucky and got a room that someone cancelled last minute. The lodge is where the start and finish are. The course is very convenient for your crew since there are roads to the boat ramps around the park where the aid stations are located.
LOCATION: Burr Oak State Park, Glouster, OH
WHAT WAS GOOD:
Great start and finish, especially if staying at the lodge
Well marked course
Nice variety of terrain. There is forest, a little road, some meadow, and cool rock formations.
Well stocked and friendly aid stations
Easy access for crew and family to follow you around the course
Rolling trail that is mostly runnable. Good for all skill levels.
Nice finish chute with excellent crowd support
Pretty views of the lake. The trail circles the lake and provides sweeping views of the water throughout.
A short drive from cities such as Columbus, Ohio
A single loop with the start and finish in the same location
THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Running through thick leaves can be a challenge
Practice your cold weather running
A deceptive amount of terrain
My First 50k Race: Laurel Highlands Ultra Races
This was only my second trail race and my first 50k. This course really opened my eyes to the impact of thousands of feet of elevation gain. The climbs are VERY challenging. There was a point where I said to myself if there is another steep section like this, I may not make it up. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been for the hills, and updated my training because of it.
WEBSITE: http://www.laurelultra.com/index.htm
DISTANCES OFFERED: 50k and 70.5 Mile (and team relays)
BEST FOR: Intermediate to Advanced.
LOGISTICS: Nemacolin is a great option if you would like a nice place for your family to hang out during the race, but there is a 30 min drive to the finish area. Since it is a point-to-point run, there is a bus from the finish to the start. To shorten the drive and get a good night's sleep, I stayed near the start at the Hidden Valley Resort.
WHAT WAS GOOD:
Remote and challenging course
Beautiful views as you climb the mountains
Almost 100% single-track trail
Great aid stations
Only about 4 hours from Columbus
Interesting terrain running through the Seven Springs Ski Resort
Mile markers every mile. I don't think I made a wrong turn anywhere on the trail.
True single track. I also don't think there was a single switchback on the course. The trails follow the flow of water straight down the hills.
Point to Point!
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Seeing a mile marker every mile can be a mental challenge
The finish is really low key. I finished, sat for a bit, then had to walk half a mile to my car. There are no showers or facilities at the finish.
The first aid station is about 12 miles in. The course is very remote, so there isn't much access. Not an easy course for a race crew or family to follow you.
My First Win: Hocking Hills Indian Run
This was my first race where I won my age group (40k distance in 2011). I've run this race 4 times as it’s a great late summer race. In addition, it's a fun race to do with friends since there is a distance for everyone.
WEBSITE: https://www.explorehockinghills.com/things-to-do/hocking-hills-trail-run/
DISTANCES OFFERED: 5k, 10k, 20k, 40k, 60k
BEST FOR: All levels. This is a very runnable trail. Portions of it are very popular hiking trails around the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge. Since they offer so many distances, it is a good course to run with friends and family of different abilities, or as a way for you to up your distance over the years.
LOGISTICS: It is a simple drive down from Columbus on race morning. Family and crew can hang out at the lodge. Since each loop is 20k, your crew doesn't need to follow you around.
LOCATION: Hocking Hills State Park
WHAT WAS GOOD:
Very runnable course
Lots of history. The race has been around forever and is very well run.
Beautiful time of year to be running through the Hocking Hills
Mostly trail. Is some meadow and road at only a couple points.
Good aid station coverage
Nice facilities at the start by the lodge. Can even get some food at the restaurant there.
Lots of history. Can find lots of people who've done this one for years to reminisce with.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Portions of the trail are so compacted they are not too "trail like"
Portions of the course overlap with all the distances, so there can be traffic jams at points
Some road running, so be comfortable on trail and road
My First 5 Hour 50k: Another Dam 50k
This is a great race to start the year and get some confidence in the 50k range. It was my third 50k, but the first where my finish time started with a five, finishing in 5 hours, 26 minutes.
WEBSITE: https://orrrc.org/event/another-dam-50k/
DISTANCES OFFERED: 50k
BEST FOR: Beginners. I beat my 50k PR by nearly 2 hours on this course (prior 50ks had much more elevation change). It is a very runnable 4 loop course with good aid stations and start and finish in the same location. Hills are not really a factor on this run.
LOGISTICS: Just drive from Columbus on race day since only about an hour's drive. Your crew can hang out at the start, since they will see you on each loop. Great one for families to attend.
LOCATION: Englewood Metro Park, Englewood, Ohio (just north of Dayton)
WHAT WAS GOOD:
Good race support
Very well marked course. Almost no chance of making a wrong turn.
Good race for early in the year or for beginners since the elevation change (i.e. hills) is not much of a factor
Four loops were not as bad as I had thought it'd be since I had only done point to points. Interesting terrain running along the dam and some other major milestones really broke things up.
Good time of the year...lucked out for perfect weather in 2012 when I ran it
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Just a good basic well run race, nothing special to prepare for
My First DNF: Dawg Gone Long Run
If you run enough ultras, it will happen, the inevitable DNF (Did not Finish). Mine happened on a day with a 100+ degree (38 Celsius) heat index. On the 2nd out of 3 loops, I decided it wouldn’t be healthy to keep going. I was spent. A friend came to run the 3rd loop with me, and he was thankful he didn’t have to run.
WEBSITE: https://orrrc.org/event/dawg-gone-long-run-50k50-miler/
DISTANCES OFFERED: 50 Miles
BEST FOR: Anyone ready for a 50 miler. NOTE: If there is a 104 degree heat index, then it's for Advanced. This was my first DNF after I completed 33 miles. Nearly a 40% drop rate because of the heat. The course was about 95% covered, but the humidity still took its toll as the day wore on.
LOGISTICS: One can just make the drive from Columbus the morning of the race. There are few hotels near the start. I stayed in Centerville, but it was about a 25 minute drive in the morning. Since the race is three loops, your family/crew can see you at the start. A crew person can easily meet you at the midpoint of the loop, so there are lots of opportunities to see you running.
LOCATION: Caesar Creek State Park, OH
WHAT WAS GOOD:
Course was really well maintained. They did a lot of weed whacking to make the meadow parts not so bad.
Well stocked aid stations and friendly volunteers
Nice rolling course. Elevation change was moderate, just enough to be challenging.
Feels remote, nice view of the lake at points
Really varied micro-climates on the course. There were points that seemed 20 degree cooler
Mostly single-track trail.
Close to Columbus
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
There are two road sections at the start and at the midpoint of the loop that are not that great. Very exposed.
Maybe some more aid stations on a hot day.
WOULD YOU RETURN:
Will probably come back to finish this since I DNF'ed. However, I will not attempt another 50 miler in 100 degree heat index weather.
My First Major Missed Turn: Kanawha Trace
I ran about an extra 5k the first time I ran this race. There is a downward sloping road that curves to the left, which is where your eye naturally goes, so I missed seeing the trail sign. I needed to make a right turn from the road into a gully, and didn’t realize it for about 15-20 minutes. Lesson learned, never get complacent on a trail run, and also have a GPS course map with you.
WEBSITE: http://www.wvmtr.org/events/kanawha-trace-trail-runs/
DISTANCES OFFERED: 10k and 50k
BEST FOR: 10k good for beginners. 50k good for Intermediate to Advanced. This course has some very decent climbs and some challenging single track points.
LOGISTICS: Hotels in Barboursville, WV are about 5 minutes from the start/finish area. I stayed at the Holiday Inn and Suites that was decent. They have camping at the start since it's a Boy Scout Campground if you are into that kind of experience. Camping is made better since there are showers available. It’s a good place for family and friends to cheer you on to the finish.
On the way home, stop off for a burger and beverage at Fat Patty's in Barboursville, WV
LOCATION: Ona, West Virginia
WHAT WAS GOOD:
Well-organized race
Good trail markings. They made significant improvements over the first year and had white flags every 20 yards most of the course.
Good variation of terrain with woods, meadows, paved roads, gravel
Challenging climbs. The climb to Mount Baldy just keeps on going.
Great aid stations, very friendly and helpful crew
Only a three-hour drive from Columbus, OH
This is a point-to-point course, no loops!
THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Course has some tricky areas to watch for to stay on course. They did a great job marking though this year.
Can be boiling since in late July
There is a decent amount of road, this course is not 100% trail
My First 50 Miler: Baker Trail Ultra Challenge
This was my first 50 miler, and also the race where I put my mind to running a 100 miler. I still have unfinished business though, since there are 3 courses for this run, and they rotate it each year.
WEBSITE: http://www.rachelcarsontrails.org/bt/ultrachallenge/
DISTANCES OFFERED: 50 Miles
BEST FOR: Anyone ready to run a 50 miler. This was a great first 50 miler for me. I also met someone who "lost track of how many 50s they had run at a count of 25" and had four 100 milers under their belt. I think that would equate to being an expert:)
LOGISTICS: The course moves each year. There are three sections to the trail, and each year they run a different section. The key logistics item is to check in Friday night, then stay with your crew near the start. This move avoids the 50 miler bus ride at 5 AM. I like to maximize my sleep before a long run. You can have a pacer from mile 35 on, so find a friend to help, as a pacer really helps for your first 50! The aid stations were accessible on the portion I ran, so I got to see my crew a lot, which was a big help. Overall, about a 4 hour drive from Columbus.
LOCATION: Summersville, PA.
WHAT WAS GOOD:
Well-organized race
Really varied terrain. Single track, meadows, rails to trails, paved road, dirt road.
Point to Point, no loops!
Great aid stations, very friendly and helpful volunteers
Good finish area (At a YMCA)
Great finish facilities at the first leg I ran (2011). However, this year (2012) the finish is at a farm, so I'm not sure what the facilities will be like.
Met some people that I ran long periods with. For whatever reason, a really friendly crowd running it.
Some decent climbs, but mainly rolling hills, so wasn't too overwhelming for the 50 mile distance
Good access to aid stations for your crew
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Course definitely demands you to be alert about markings, but the markings are very good
Try to avoid the bus ride in the morning if you can coordinate with your crew
My First 100 Miler: Pinhoti 100
A challenging 100 miler for a first timer, but a beautiful experience on so much single track through the Talladega National Forest.
WEBSITE: http://www.pinhotitrailseries.com/pinhoti-100.html
DISTANCES OFFERED: 100 Miles
BEST FOR: Medium to Advanced. This race is 80% single track, 16% jeep road and the balance dirt and paved road. Where it is jeep road, the footing is challenging. Over 16,000 feet of total elevation change makes this a very challenging race. The trail is very technical in parts with loose rocks, thick pine needles and steep terrain. Only 108 out of 191 finished in 2012, so it’s one that definitely requires good training.
LOGISTICS: Not too bad a drive from Columbus, around 10 hours. Could also fly into Birmingham, AL or Atlanta, GA. There are hotels near the start in Heflin, AL that eliminate the need for the 100 mile bus ride at 4 AM. The closest hotel to the start is the America’s Best Value Inn. It’s cheap, but not the cleanest hotel I’ve stayed at, so I only recommend it for one night. If you stay near the start, definitely drive to the start in the light the day before as it’s a little tricky finding the start since it’s through dirt roads in the national forest.
LOCATION: Heflin, AL to Sylacauga, AL
WHAT WAS GOOD:
Point-to-Point trail, a real sense of adventure
Tons of single track on a well-maintained trail
Well run race with great aid stations
Good time of year temperature wise. However, the year I ran, it was hotter than usual.
Nice to finish in a high school stadium
Easy to get in if you sign up in advance.
While it’s light, there are some beautiful views
Very well marked course. There are little reflective flags that make it easy to follow the trail, even in the dark.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR:
The only bathroom is at mile 45. Not even porta potties, so plan.
Not all aid stations are accessible, so even if you have a crew, you need to plan to have enough gear with you
