Free to Run
The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) is excited to announce the return of an in-person Free to Run Trail Races for 2022. We continue to support Free to Run, Inc., whose mission is to enable women and girls to safely and boldly engage in outdoor activity in conflict-affected regions. Through a combination of sports programs, life skills development, and community outreach, we help females to reclaim public space and change views about the roles they can (and should) play in a society. Their programs are designed to develop community leaders who can bring people together across cultural, ethnic and religious lines. They work to provide our participants with the tools to succeed because they can and will be a force for positive change.
The Basics
Date: 9/17/2022
Distances: 50 miler, Marathon, and Half Marathon
Start Times: 50 Miler, 5:00am. Marathon and Half Marathon, 9:00am
Location: Pittsfield State Forrest, Pittsfield MA.
Course: We'll be using the 2017 version of the course; a challenging and technical 12.5 mile trail loop. 50 Miler runners will complete four full loops. Marathon runners will complete two loops with an additional out and back. Half Marathoners will complete one lap with an out and back at the beginning as well. Elevation gain per loop is between 2,000 and 2,500 feet depending on who's watch you trust so be prepared for some climbing.
Aid Stations: 4 total on the loop including the start/finish.
Awards: Each finisher will receive a finishers award.
Shirts: Shirts for all registered runners signed up prior to August 15th. After that we can't guarantee one but will try.
Camping: There are multiple campsites in Pittsfield State Forest complete with showers and bathrooms. Runners are responsible for booking their own campsites with Pittsfield State Forrest
This is an in person trail event for 2022 and will be held in Pittsfield State Forest.
Should we not be able to secure permits due to COVID or state and local authorities prohibit our ability to hold this as an in person event, we will change it to a virtual event. Baring that, we are so excited to have our first in person Free to Run Trail Race in two years!
What is BURCS?
The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service was founded in 2013 by three passionate long-distance runners from Western Massachusetts. The BURCS crew is composed of runners of all ages who seek to use their passion for sport and activism to spread awareness about important social, civic, and environmental issues. Please check out burcsrunners.org for more information and to join.
Local time: 9:55 AM
