My favorite homegrown, local race here in Massachusetts is the "Don't Run Boston" 50K. It's the original event put on by the Trail Animals Running Club and was first held in 1997. It's free (a donation to the reservation's Trailside Museum is requested), around 25 people take part each year, and the course is unmarked so you have to either carry a map, memorize the course in advance, or stick with a veteran who knows the course. I've run it four times and each has been memorable in its own way. My wife and I ran a few "bonus miles" the first year because we got lost so many times. The second year, we ran almost every step with Hardrocker Jeff List who knew the course by heart - and spending the time getting to know and learn from him was a tremendous gift.
I really liked the paragraph with "I am getting older, but this thing makes me feel younger". That was good.
And yes, plenty of smaller grass-roots trail runs still around to participate in. I can't even imagine racing Leadville 100 nowadays, it was bad in 2005 with 400 runners! But, some are drawn to the masses. As long as there are choices for all:)
My favorite homegrown, local race here in Massachusetts is the "Don't Run Boston" 50K. It's the original event put on by the Trail Animals Running Club and was first held in 1997. It's free (a donation to the reservation's Trailside Museum is requested), around 25 people take part each year, and the course is unmarked so you have to either carry a map, memorize the course in advance, or stick with a veteran who knows the course. I've run it four times and each has been memorable in its own way. My wife and I ran a few "bonus miles" the first year because we got lost so many times. The second year, we ran almost every step with Hardrocker Jeff List who knew the course by heart - and spending the time getting to know and learn from him was a tremendous gift.
I really liked the paragraph with "I am getting older, but this thing makes me feel younger". That was good.
And yes, plenty of smaller grass-roots trail runs still around to participate in. I can't even imagine racing Leadville 100 nowadays, it was bad in 2005 with 400 runners! But, some are drawn to the masses. As long as there are choices for all:)