Seneca Creek
Greenway Trail
Marathon and 50K

NEWS PLEASE READ

Mar 5, 2010: Conditions continue to improve but do not expect a perfectly dry course. Your feet will be wet. There is still a good amount of snow on the trail. Volunteers have logged over 100 hours on the trails and trailhead parking lots. Brian O’Connor has worked for three days straight.

We have a carload of Canadians driving down tomorrow all day to  escape their snow. We have a group of five or six 20 year olds in the  Naval Academy ready to push some of the old vets. Two past winners are back (Monika Bachmann and Mark Hoon)

350 pre-registered runners

Temps predicted to be around 50

The trail is open but ice, snow, water, and mud will be a factor. Any sub four hour marathons or sub 4 ½ 50Ks?

Please have your application complete. Now is the time to ask questions

Good luck

Mar 3, 2010: We are getting close and the conditions are improving. Still expect snow, ice, mud and some run-able sections (and wet feet)

Please keep the following in mind

1. Car pooling really helps We are filled with 350 pre-registered runners. Parking is tight as it is.

2. Now is the time to download the registration. The routine is to show up race morning with a complete application and a check or cash. When you get to Riley’s Saturday morning volunteers will guide you to parking places. Next; buses or volunteers in cars will take you to Damascus to the finish. Those riding the bus will put their applications in a big envelope with the money. That way when you get to Damascus all you have to do is get your bib. We need at least one runner on each bus to sort of coordinate this (collect everything and put it in a big envelope) It really helps everyone to show up with the application already complete.

3. Drop bags. I can have a few trash bags and magic markers and will only take drop bags to the finish. I also beg you to take your things home at the end of the race.  I am cheap and can’t stand to throw away good stuff. I may be wearing one of your jackets that a runner left last year. Please take your stuff with you.

4. No water bottle, no hydration system you cannot run.

5. You have to absolutely know that there will be some ice and snow.

6. There is a good chance we will have an early bird wave start probably close to seven. This will help given the course conditions and will spread runners out. This is optional and the aide stations will not be opening early-meaning you are sort of on your own. We only have one early  bird bus which may leave Riley’s close to 6:00. It holds close to 70 passengers.

7. Given the trail conditions the little side trail before Riffleford is not included this year. This means you can use the mile and ½ mile markers as rough gauges of your pace and distance as you head downstream beyond Route 355. .

8. You really should expect a great day and have a ton of fun. Don’t forget to thank all these nice volunteers (even the webmaster who will  be running with you)

Mar 2, 2010: Medical advice posted.

Mar 1, 2010: Runner entry expected to be cut-off at 350.

Feb 28, 2010: Tons of volunteers have been hard at work, opening sections of the trail,  scouting,  shoveling snow, and executing trail repairs. As of today the race is on. Expect slower times and wet feet. You will be running and hiking in the snow. We do not have much  capacity to transport runners who cannot finish to the finish area. Please understand that the trail will be pass-able but not necessarily totally run-able. This means snow, ice, ,mud and some run-able sections. It is getting better each day. We will try to update the website several more times before race day.

Feb 26, 2010: There are crews of volunteers out now and they will be out almost every day until the race.

Reports are scattered: there is still much remaining snow and probably no place where it is not at least wet.  Some places still have ankle deep snow and it is not a great thawing day today. However, a slow steady warming trend is predicted. There are certainly obstacles (blowdowns, pine branches embedded in snow banks, detours and very icy bridges) and the trailheads and other trail parking lots/areas are getting open. Right now, probably the best prediction is to expect wet feet no matter what and a slower than usual race. We will try to post updates on the web as the week progresses otherwise fell free to email or call. I believe the race is a go but you should stay tuned.

Feb 16, 2010: Will the race go as planned? Probably, As far as the race, it is really too soon to start making reasonable predictions. There is a fair chance, that there could be snowy and icy sections, muddy sections and run-able sections. The race will only be cancelled if one of the park services insists on it and they have been incredibly good to us so far. If you live out of town, I would definitely stay in touch and watch the website. I do not mind reporting trail conditions but I think it is best to do so after next week. One member of the sweeper team is trying to singlehandedly pack down the trail. I think he might have 2-3 miles done so far but we cannot really rely on that. We were out yesterday ‘post holing’ and it took about an hour and half to cover a mile and half (out a d back). It is fun but hardly run-able yet.

Jan 13, 2010: Training runs announced. See the training run page for more details.

January 9th Saturday 8:00 AM at Riley' Lock
January 23th Saturday 7:30 AM at Damascus Regional Park.
February 6th, Saturday 7:30 AM at Watkins Mill Road
February 20th Saturday 7:30 AM at Route 355

Jan 6, 2010: Website updated for 2010.

To report broken links, mistakes, or other problems, contact Ed.