Cancelled Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
The Descent
Welcome BACK to The Descent!!! The ONLY trail race to have DESCENDING time cutoffs! This year is a new course with technical downhills, fast sections, and endless amounts of rolling hills. Think waves in the ocean, they just don't end. There are 2 parts to this race (The Descent Trail Race and Endurance Challenge) with runners welcome to run one or both.
The Descent Trail Race
Your typical trail race on a challenging, technical course, ~3.75 miles. You start, you run, you get to the finish line. ***The start of The Descent Trail Race will start north of Houghton's Pond, climbing the access road for a brutal 102 feet over 0.3 miles. This is the only time you will run this section and thin the herd before heading into the trails.***
The Descent Endurance Challenge
You get to the finish line and you're done, right? Only if you want to be. We RE-introduce you to The Descent Endurance Challenge! The Descent Endurance Challenge includes the first lap of the trail race and every lap thereafter (minus the access road). Runners will have the opportunity to complete as many laps of the ~3.4 mile course as possible over the course of 8 hours. However, DESCENDING time cutoffs will be added every 2 hours with runners eliminated if not finishing within the allotted time. Hours 0-2 will have no time cuts. Hours 2-4 will have a 45 minute time cut-off per lap. Hours 4-6, 35 minute time cut. Hours 6-8, 25 minute time cut. ***You do not have to run continually. Each lap completed you have the option to rest as long as you'd like and check in before going out for an additional lap. Time will start once you start your next lap.*** Most laps win. Goodluck!!
Course
***The first lap will start at the 2053 junction, north of Houghton's Pond.*** Runners will climb the access road to 2070 junction which will serve as the start/stop, bag drop, rest area for the Descent Endurance Challenge. Runners will run north to 2072, then sharp turn right to 2094 red dot path, up Doe Hollow Path, continuing along the south side of Buck Hill to the skyline trail. Short section from skyline to white triangle trail, running south to 2189, 2176, 2163, 2150, 2146 to 2132. Runners will then run west to 2092 before ascending up Angle Path to 2070, start/stop. See above map in pictures for illustrated view.
Rules
1. No cheating!!! Stay on course.
2. Hydration pack or handheld water bottle is required. There will be minimal water, sports drinks, and snacks at the start/stop.
3. Strict carry-in, carry-out policy. DO NO LITTER!!
4. Show courtesy to other runners and patrons enjoying the trails. Please announce yourself and give right of way.
5. Check in and check out after every lap. If you decide to quit at any time, please check out at the start/stop or alert a volunteer.
Registration
Registration is $40 and includes entry into BOTH The Descent Trail Race and Endurance Challenge. ***Registering for the 3 miler will get you in to both the the Descent Trail Race and Endurance Challenge.*** Runners will have the option to run just the Descent Trail Race or both. Registration will also include a t-shirt, Marathon Sports coupons, and all the lactic acid you can handle.
Awards
The 1st place male and female of The Descent Trail Race will each receive a $25 Marathon Sports gift certificate and free entry into next year’s race!
The 1st place male and female of The Descent Endurance Challenge will each receive a $50 Marathon Sports gift certificate and free entry into next year’s race!
Yes, you can win both the trail race and endurance challenge!
Questions
This race was made with every attempt for you to both challenge and enjoy yourself. Any questions, concerns, comments, shout-outs, please do not hesitate to contact us. Robertedward@comcast.net
Charity
All profit from this year's race will again go to charity. Last year we raised almost $1000 and this year we hope for more. This year's charity is the Zack Heger Foundation. Zack is a young man from Westwood with duchenne muscular dystrophy. ***IF YOU DONATE $50 DIRECTLY TO HIS FOUNDATION, YOU CAN RUN THE DESCENT FOR FREE*** Email us the confirmation of the donation and we'll register you. Website is below.
www.zackhegerfoundation.org
Event's current local time: 10:03 AM ET
