Eastern New England Trail Race Series

With apologies for my tardiness the results and series standings for the first races of the year are now posted. Rob MacDonald has taken on the task of calculating race results and compiling the series standings. This is an unenviable job but one that Rob has taken to very eagerly and quickly. Our thanks do not begin to express the extent of our gratitude. As was the case last year we ask participants to check the results and let us know when there has been an oversight or mistake. One problem we have found in the past is that a runner may be listed in the results in one race as 'James Smith' and in another as 'Jim Smith'. The program that combines race points to the series standings will recognize these entries as two separate individuals. Many runners will have a birthday during the course of the series and that may create a similar conflict. In the event a runner has a birthday that will change what age group they will be scored in their series points will count towards the age group in which they began the series. As applications for future races are sent to me they will be added to the applications page.

Here's to another great trail race season. Happy trails to all.

The date of the Boxford State Forest 10K Trail Race was incorrectly posted. The correct date is June 16th. The race begins at 6:30pm.

The posting of pornographic website links on the forums section of the website has resulted in our disabling of the forum section. It has become a persistent problem. I apologize for any inconvenience. You will still be able to respond to blog entries.

My sincerest apologies to anyone who may have been exposed to the obscene forum topics that were displayed on this website. There are inherent risks with an open forum that anyone with any intent can post what they like. In the past the postings have been commercial solicitations and they were removed. These particular postings have made me aware that I need to monitor the site more closely if not daily. The purpose of the site is for an exchange of information and a resource for what we have in common, namely trail running. Again my deepest apology for any offense anyone may have taken.

Now that the snow and ice has started to recede from the trails what it is revealing is just how severe the December 11th ice storm in northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire really was. If you live in these areas or have had the opportunity to drive through you will see tops of trees snapped off, piles of brush and branches like oversized bird nests along the side of the road, as well as once healthy trees uprooted. For the trail runner and in particular the trail race director the challenge now is to make once passable trails clear and safe for our trail races. In Fitchburg where our club, The North Medford Club, holds its 7Mile Overlook Trail Race the trails that run through Audubon, North County Land Trust, and city property are clogged with limbs and tree trunks. Trails that were visible are now almost impossible to follow or navigate. My first run through some of these trails was very discouraging and was thinking the May 3rd race would have to be postponed. Fortunately, runners and local citizens value this resource enough to have taken the initiative to begin clearing trails on their own. Land Trust managers have orgainzed a clearing party and the Audubon has dedicated two days a week to clearing with chainsaws. Smaller groups have gotten together to work stretches of the course. I am much more optimistic that all will be ready for the day of the race. Every trail race presents its own unique challenge and this one will at the very least allow runners to see just what kind of damage ice can cause. I assume other races have had their own clean up needs. If you are a runner in these areas consider contacting your race director and donate a couple of hours to help clean up. I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated.