Cancelled Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
RD Contact emails:
Christopher Agbay: meko62002@yahoo.com
Jason Gray: yarganosaj@yahoo.com
Description
The Wapack and Back Trail Races consist of a 50 mile ultramarathon and an end-to-end trail race run on the 21.5 mile Wapack Trail (www.wapack.org). Leading from Mt Watatic in Massachusetts to North Pack Mt in Greenfield, NH, the rocky ledges of this technical trail (approx 4600 ft elevation gain in each direction, 50 miler is around 10,800' climb) afford views of the Boston skyline to the east, Berkshire and Green Mountains to the west and White Mountains to the north. Ultrarunners who complete the 43 mile out and back section will be receive a finishing time and be listed in the results. Runners "only" looking to run the 43 mile race can still sign up for the 50 mile race and stop at the start/finish. Four aid stations (which ultrarunners pass twice) will provide water, electrolyte drink, sugary and salty snacks. Post-race refreshments will be provided.
21.5 Mile Course Record: 3:01:16, Brandon Newbould 2017
21.5 Mile Course Record (Female): 3:57:29, Kristina Folcik-Welts 2015
50 Mile Course Record: 8:51:34, Josh Katzman 2013
50 Mile Course Record (Female): 10:43:10, Samantha Leblanc 2018
Details
The 50 mile race starts at 5am at Mt. Watatic State Park in Ashburnham, MA, the Southern end of the Wapack Trail. There will be no additional course markings other than the yellow triangles in place along the length of the trail. The aid stations will be spaced no more than 7.5 miles apart.
The 21.5 mile race starts at 9am from the Northernmost end of the Wapack Trail. Runners must check-in at the Southern end of the trail and then ride the bus (leaving at 8am) to the Northern end of the trail and run back to their cars. The aid stations will be spaced no more than 7.5 miles apart.
Proceeds go directly to the Friends of the Wapack to help fund trail maintenance and education. A trail work day will be coordinated with the Friends for any runners or volunteers to help out with trail maintenance prior to the race.
Ultra timeline:
05:00 Start
15:30 34 mile cutoff (must reach Rt 124/Windblown in 10.5 hours to continue to 43 mi)
17:00 43 mile cutoff (must reach start/finish in 12 hours to continue to 50 miles)
19:30 50 mile cutoff / course closes
21.5 mile timeline:
08:00 Bus leaves Ashburnham for drop-off at North end of trail
09:00 Start
Map here: http://trailanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Wapack-trail-map.jpg
Also check out Friends of the Wapack website: http://www.wapack.org
More Details...
Parking: The parking area at the start/finish is very small so most of you will have to park on Rt 119. YOU MUST PARK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AS FAR OFF THE PAVEMENT AS POSSIBLE. Ashburnham police may tow cars parked on the south side of Rt 119.
Registration: We’ll ask for your car make and plate number when you register, so at the end of the day we can be sure that everyone is off the trail.
Marking: The Wapack Trail is blazed with yellow triangles painted on trees, rocks, telephone poles and the occasional signpost. With one or two exceptions, there will be NO ADDITIONAL MARKING. The trail is easy to follow for the most part, but if you’ve gone more than a few hundred feet and haven’t seen a marker, retrace your steps until you find one.
Water: With as much as 7 miles between aid
stations, you should be carrying TWO BOTTLES.
Drop bags: 50 mile runners can bring drop bags to the start of the race for delivery to the Rt124/Windblown aid station (9 & 34 miles) and/or Mountain Rd (21.5 miles). We don’t have a lot of capacity for transporting the bags so make them small.
Aid Stations: The aid stations will be stocked with sweet and salty food, water, electrolyte drink etc.. we will not be supplying gels, salt pills, ibuprofen, wet wipes, bag balm, bodyglide or back rubs.
Drops: While we look forward to greeting you at the finish, please notify one of the aid station volunteers if you need to withdraw from the race and expect to be chowed upon by black flies and mosquitoes while you patiently wait for a ride back to Watatic.
Prizes: There will be prizes awarded to the top male and female of the 21.5 mile and 50 mile race. No finishers awards will be given this year.
Ultra Schedule: (this race starts in the dark. have a headlamp with you or don't plan on racing)
04:00 Registration opens
04:55 Race briefing
05:00 Start
15:30 34 mile cutoff (must reach Rt 124/Windblown in 10.5 hours to continue to 43 mi)
17:00 43 mile cutoff (must reach start/finish in 12 hours to continue to 50 miles)
19:30 50 mile cutoff / course closes
Event's current local time: 2:18 PM ET
