Eastern New England Trail Race Series

The eighth running of the NMC Overlook race will be held on Sunday September 12th at 10am. The race benefits the Massachusetts Audubon, the North County Land Trust, and the North Medford Club. It is an opportunity to showcase one of the natural jewels in North Central Massachusetts. For the novice runner it is a chance to run without the distractions and noise of traffic and as any regular visitor of the sanctuary can attest to perhaps a pleasant encounter with the wildlife that inhabit the area. For those who have run it in the past the course will have a different look this fall. The 7M course from years past has been redesigned to eliminate the more treacherous and difficult sections. We will no longer be running down the slippery rocks over Flat Rock or the long climb between the last mile and the finish. The course has one significant climb leading up to the first mile. From here the course rolls slightly until roughly 2.75 miles then flattens out with a downhill to flat finish. At least half of the course is single track. For information you can contact race director Rene Lavoie at rainman52@verizon.net, by phone at 508-380-6268, or visit the NMC website at www.northmedfordclub.org to download an application.

For anyone looking to measure their trail running ability one of the most severe test is the legendary Wapack Trail Race. A series of climbs up to and down from several peaks along the Wapack Trail in Southern New Hampshire and North Central Massachusetts. Paul Funch has been running this race for several years and he can answer any and all questions you may have. to contact him, pgfunch@verizon.net or to sign up go to www.wapack.freeservers.com.

PRESS RELEASE

July 6, 2010
Oxford MA

Contact: John Grenier, (508) 892-9576

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TRAIL RACE EXPANDS, WELCOMES SPONSORS

For more than a decade, Hodges Village in Oxford has hosted the Dam Trail Race, an eleven-mile run through the woods and streams, attracting runners from throughout the Northeast. For the past two years, the race has been the major annual fund-raiser for the French River Connection, a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing the French River. This year, the event, to be held August 7, will include two courses, of 11.5 and 5 miles. According to race director John Grenier, this format will invite increased participation. “We hope for 170 runners, 50 more than last year,” he said.

This year, race organizers have sought sponsorships for the first time . Hometown Bank, North Oxford Mills, Wilson Language Training, Industrial Packaging Supply, and Central Massachusetts Podiatry have joined Polar Beverages as sponsors. Said French River Connection President Ken Parker “The response to our requests for sponsorships has been very gratifying, and we very much appreciate the support of these fine organizations.”

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in each race, and special prizes to the top finishers from the French River watershed towns of Leicester, Oxford, Webster, Dudley, and Thompson Connecticut. Prizes for age category winners and for random draws will include baked goods, gift certificates from Dick’s Sporting Goods, and other items.

After the race, the winner of a Specialized Carmel 700 bicycle donated by Southbridge Bicycle will be drawn. The raffle has been open to the public since mid-April.

Start time for both races is 9am on August 7. Runners may pre-register by visiting http://frenchriverconnection.org/files/D2010/index.htm , or register at the race beginning at 7:30am.

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The ENETRS is adding a new race to its schedule. The April 25th race is in its second year and truly sounds like an all inclusive family event. Created by Jennifer Shultis of Eastern Mountain Sports and held at Odiorne Point State Park and hosted by the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, NH. The scenic course sounds like an exceptional trail running experience that incorporates forest, rocky shore, sandy beach, and historic military fortifications. For young children ages 12 and under there will be fun runs of 100 yards and/or 1/2 mile. There will be Earth Day events and educational opportunities. Prizes, music, and vendors are also included. For more information check out the website at www.seacoastsciencenter.org/events.

The Eastern New England Trail Race Series is happy to welcome the state of Maine to its schedule. Erik Boucher is the race director for several trail races in Maine that offer both variety and challenge. He has suggested a race that is part of a two-day trail running festival that includes races of 5K, 10K, 5K barefoot, canicross, 25K, 50K, and 50M. For the purposes of scoring for the series we agreed upon the 25K. Looking over the website it sounds like a unique and wonderful weekend for the hardcore as well as novice trail runner. In addition to the weekend festival there are three dates being considered for 6M, 9M, and 12M trail races at Bradbury Mountain. In addition, the 3rd annual Mountain Epic at Sunday River in Newry, ME will offer races of 4M 1 peak, 8M 5 peaks, and 12M 8 peaks. Lots to choose from and we welcome Maine to our series.