Page 17 - July_2014

10

THE TOUGH GET TOUGHER

RACES to

TEST YOUR

METTLE

By EVAN JOHNSON

Photo by Brian Mohr/Ember Photography

New race series lets natural terrain
If the new O2X Summit Challenge appeals to you, here’s a

present the challenge to racers
line-up of some of the summer’s best and toughest trail and
hill runs around the state that promise plenty of gut-busting

hills, mud and glory for the finishers.
WAITSFIELD, VT. — Want a tough race without the bull? Then check out a
new race coming to the mountains of Vermont this September.
The O2X Summit Challenge at Sugarbush Resort on Sept. 13 is the national JULY 5, XIP DOUBLE BYPASS
runners up to elevations between
debut of a new race series that combines intense trail running that challenges rac- This trail race is the second of the 1,800 and 2,100 feet on dirt roads
three-part Bypass Series at Burke and following Nordic Cross-Country
ers with the natural features of the terrain, including off-trail segments.
While the races are tough, they are designed for a variety of fitness levels, Mountain. The Double Bypass ski trails in the higher elevations.
from weekend hikers to elite trail runners, with courses rated by using a Diamond features two ascents of Burke Hilly, but beautiful running.
Grading System (as in skiing). Single Diamond routes gain at least 1,000 net verti- Mountain, with obstacles along the It’s often a tough, hot race,
cal feet over at least four miles, and Double Diamond routes gain at least 2,000 way. For even more of a challenge, but the post-race picnic/party makes
come back on Sept. 6 for the XIP up for it by offering runners excellent
vertical feet up to 8 miles. All courses will blend single-track trails, double-track
dirt roads, glades, rock scrambles and open slopes as they wind their way to the Triple Bypass, which is three ascents food and often includes live music.
summit.
of Burke Mountain with the most www.blueberryhillinn.com.
The series features three other events in the Northeast this year: Sunday number of obstacles along the way.
River, in Newry, Me., Sept. 27; Loon Mountain in Lincoln, N.H., Oct. 18; and www.xiptraining.com
JULY 19 – 20, THE VERMONT 100

Windham Mountain in Windham, N.Y., Oct. 25. Up to 12 races are planned in If you’re hungry for more distance, try
2015, including venues in Colorado, Arizona, southern California, Washington this legendary Vermont race. Starting
and other points out West.
JULY 13, THE STOWE 8-MILER
at four in the morning and ending with
The series is a project of three Navy SEALs—Adam LaReau, Paul Mc- In its 33rd year, the Stowe 8-Miler a 30-hour time limit, the Vermont 100
Cullough, Gabriel Gomez—and self-described “recovering attorney” Craig Cof- draws athletes from all over New
England and Canada. The eight-mile Endurance Race is part of the Grand
fey. In 2013, after losing a bid for the U.S. Senate in the special election in Mas- Slam Series of ultra-running. Each
sachusetts against Democrat Ed Markey to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Bob Kerry, course starts just off Mountain Road year, a maximum of 300 runners
Gomez was looking for a new venture and picked Coffey to be his business part- in Stowe and leads runners through attempt to finish this hilly course over
ner. Later, they met LaReau and McCullough, who were returning from deploy- beautiful, but hilly, countryside. The Vermont back roads and trails. The
ments in various hotspots around the world while serving in the SEALs.
race can be run by individuals or teams
of two and finishes with a celebration course starts and finishes at Silver
Less than a year later, the O2X course designers are working with Sugarbush Hill Meadow in West Windsor. It is
Resort mountain managers to finalize the trails that wind up access roads, single- at the Rusty Nail with craft-brewed a shamrock-shaped loop, consisting
track trail and ski slopes all the way to the summit.
beer and homemade ice cream. Stiff of 70 percent dirt or jeep roads. The
Craig Coffey describes the O2X race as a different running experience. Un- competition among the top runners course climbs and descends close to
like popular obstacle course races that feature lakes of fire, rope swings and other makes this a particularly tough race
15,000 feet. Racers are also required
constructed features, Coffey says the races let the terrain speak for itself.
for those shooting for the top spots to complete eight hours of volunteer
“It feels almost unnecessary and gratuitous to create those challenges when in the most competitive divisions. service at any event 50K or longer.
you’ve got some of the most beautiful trail networks and mountains in the coun- www.locorunning.com/stowe8miler
www.vermont100.com
try right there,” he says.
The organizers have taken that approach to the après race scene as well. The AUGUST 2, MOOSALAMOO ULTRA
JULY 19, GOSHEN GALLOP
O2X BaseCamp area will feature local foods, environmental talks, and perfor- The Moosalamoo Ultra will feature two
mance/training exhibits. The races will also feature local food and drink vendors.
This race carries the reputation races – a ‘heavy’ half marathon (14 miles)
“We don’t want to roll in with Coca Cola and serve $20 cheeseburgers,” as the “toughest 10k in New and a 36-mile ultra through the beautiful
Coffey says. “We’re looking to find the local food providers, the local dairy farm- England.” Taking place in Goshen, and under-used Moosalamoo National
er and bring their chocolate milk as a recovery beverage.”
Vt. at Blueberry Hill Inn in the Recreation Area, one of only two
Moosalamoo National Recreation
On the environmental front, O2X will also feature 1% for the Planet, and National Recreation Areas in Vermont.
has made a commitment with Leave No Trace to leave the race venues better than Area, this rugged course takes
Continued on page 26
when they arrived.

JULY 2014 VTSPORTS.COM 17