Posted by Roy Van on April 21, 2008 at 22:42:34:
On the L Street bus this morning, Hasan had inquired about a wonderful race in New Gloucester, Maine. It is the Pineland Farms Trail Challenge. This race is a great introduction to trail running as it is mostly on mowed hay with some very gentle wooded sections. (no rocks or roots). In other words, the type of trail run that you can run in road shoes.
They have three racing distances: 25K, 50K and a newly added 50 miler. The 50K is two loops of the 25K. The 50 miler is three loops of the 25K loop plus a few miles. If you finish either the 50K or 50 miler, you receive a cow bell as your finishers medal. There is also a K-9 division for those runners who would like to run 9K with their dog on a leash. (One runner per dog.) The K-9 division is on a slightly different course as to not interfere with the runners.
There are aid stations with all kinds of goodies and port-a-potties every three miles.
There is plenty of free beer, hamburgers and hot dogs and live music at the finish area. It is 2 hours 15 minutes door to door from the L Street Bath House. (129 miles.) This is very close to Freeport Maine and LL Bean for anyone wanting to make a weekend of it.
The race is on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, this is the same day as the Run to Remember. However, if you are looking for something different and from first hand experience, VERY enjoyable, I would highly recommend this event.
Hope to see you there.
Roy
http://www.mainetrackclub.com/pinelandfarms.html