The earth spins, the days fly by, and another Kismet Cliff Run in nearly upon us. I always feel like I am scrambling to get ready (the plight of the ADD race director), but get by thanks to co-RD Heidi Chauvin, Rod Wilson of the Saco Ranger District, and Steve Vaitones of USA Track and Field New England, among many others.
This year will mark the 5th Kismet Cliff Run and the second running of the Beast of the East half-marathon. There seems to be a good deal of buzz about the Beast this year:
http://www.farnorthendurance.com/five-reasons-to-enter-the-kismet-cliff-run/
I am honored to have the Cliff Run mentioned in the company of such legendary trail races as Seven Sisters and the Escarpment Run. Skeptical? Come find out for yourself on the 22nd!
Our beneficiary, the Kismet Rock Foundation, is also getting some press, with this moving piece on WMUR:
http://www.wmur.com/new-hampshire-chronicle/friday-september-6th-kismet-rock-climbing/-/13383450/21669710/-/e6baklz/-/index.html
photo by Brian Post
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Hey All,
Preliminary results are up on Cool Running:
4th Annual Kismet Cliff Run Results
We will put up prettier results (that show age group places) on the kismetcliffrun.org site sometime soon. I may see some of you at the Monroe 10.5 miler (practically a sprint) on October 7th, or at the final race in the Granite State Trail Series: the Vulcan's Fury 12 miler, October 20th in Pawtuckaway State Park.
Vulcan's Fury by Acidotic Racing
Preliminary results are up on Cool Running:
4th Annual Kismet Cliff Run Results
We will put up prettier results (that show age group places) on the kismetcliffrun.org site sometime soon. I may see some of you at the Monroe 10.5 miler (practically a sprint) on October 7th, or at the final race in the Granite State Trail Series: the Vulcan's Fury 12 miler, October 20th in Pawtuckaway State Park.
Vulcan's Fury by Acidotic Racing
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Cliff Run and Done!
Although Sunday marked the fourth running of the Kismet Cliff Run, this was our first year putting on the longer "Beast of the East" race. In many ways that made it feel like a new experience.
For one, the Beast course extends from Echo Lake State Park into the White Mountains National Forest. That meant a whole new level of permitting and greater logistical hurdles. Thanks to Rod Wilson et al at the Saco Ranger Station, we were able to put on the first race in WMNF in quite some time.
It was also like presenting a new event to the trail running public. Many times as Heidi and I traveled the course, previewing, pruning and finally marking it, we uttered oaths of amazement at the challenge and the beauty . As I drove around town I would look up at the course and note its resemblance to a roller-coaster with both pride and anxiety. We found that type of "alpine" trail running fun and rewarding, but would anyone else?
As it turned out the response to the Beast of the East was fantastic. The field included an interesting selection of the Northeast's hard corps: Road marathoners and mountain running elites, 100-mile racers and the boldest of rock climbers and alpinists. Despite a wet course, every runner came in safe and sound. In fact, I was very impressed how good people looked crossing the finish line. Kevin Tilton's winning time of 2:25 is stunning, though I am equally impressed by Gary Reuter's time of 4:13... He's 73 years old! To the folks who did go off course, my apologies: I will make sure to overmark those trail junctions in the future.
I am happy to say that the race was a success, thanks to co-RD Heidi Chauvin, Rod Wilson at the Saco Ranger Station, Erik Nelson of NH Parks and Rec, Sarah Garlick of the American Alpine Club, Alyssa Walker of Kismet Rock Foundation, Chris and Karen Dunn and Acidotic Racing, and Stas Trufanov and Kristina Folcik, two badass runners who gave their time at aid stations. Also many thanks to Doug Madara of La Sportiva and our other sponsors.
Expect another Cliff Run next year, and more White Mountain hardcore trail races in the future...
Gabe
PS Although the long course is really closer to 13 miles, I thought it was appropriate to round up. Maybe we'll start calling it "just" a half-marathon...
For one, the Beast course extends from Echo Lake State Park into the White Mountains National Forest. That meant a whole new level of permitting and greater logistical hurdles. Thanks to Rod Wilson et al at the Saco Ranger Station, we were able to put on the first race in WMNF in quite some time.
It was also like presenting a new event to the trail running public. Many times as Heidi and I traveled the course, previewing, pruning and finally marking it, we uttered oaths of amazement at the challenge and the beauty . As I drove around town I would look up at the course and note its resemblance to a roller-coaster with both pride and anxiety. We found that type of "alpine" trail running fun and rewarding, but would anyone else?
As it turned out the response to the Beast of the East was fantastic. The field included an interesting selection of the Northeast's hard corps: Road marathoners and mountain running elites, 100-mile racers and the boldest of rock climbers and alpinists. Despite a wet course, every runner came in safe and sound. In fact, I was very impressed how good people looked crossing the finish line. Kevin Tilton's winning time of 2:25 is stunning, though I am equally impressed by Gary Reuter's time of 4:13... He's 73 years old! To the folks who did go off course, my apologies: I will make sure to overmark those trail junctions in the future.
I am happy to say that the race was a success, thanks to co-RD Heidi Chauvin, Rod Wilson at the Saco Ranger Station, Erik Nelson of NH Parks and Rec, Sarah Garlick of the American Alpine Club, Alyssa Walker of Kismet Rock Foundation, Chris and Karen Dunn and Acidotic Racing, and Stas Trufanov and Kristina Folcik, two badass runners who gave their time at aid stations. Also many thanks to Doug Madara of La Sportiva and our other sponsors.
Expect another Cliff Run next year, and more White Mountain hardcore trail races in the future...
Gabe
PS Although the long course is really closer to 13 miles, I thought it was appropriate to round up. Maybe we'll start calling it "just" a half-marathon...
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hey All, the time is drawing near for the Cliff Run! Heidi and I were out on the course yesterday, reminded of both the spectacular beauty and the audacious challenge of all that climbing and descending. Here is a shot from near the top of the Red Ridge.
The classic 5-mile course is also a roller-coaster and a worthy challenge in it's own right. Will you be recovering from another tough race, or just don't like to race up 20% grades? You can volunteer! We'd love to have you at an aid station, registration or what have you. Even if you don't volunteer we'll still love you anyway.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Online registration is up! $20 pre for the classic 5-mile course, $30 pre for the amazing "Beast of the East" course... Much more information to follow!
http://www.active.com/running/north-conway-nh/4th-annual-kismet-cliff-run-2012
http://www.active.com/running/north-conway-nh/4th-annual-kismet-cliff-run-2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Application coming soon
Downloadable app will be available by June 1st and online application will follow. Course info, photos and maps coming too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)