On Saturday June 13th I took part in the Laurel Highlands 50 km in the South West corner of Pennsylvania. The mountains making up the Laurel Highlands are the highest in Pennsylvania. The trail run is a point-to-point and takes place alone the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail which is 70 miles long, this trail runs South-North. There is a 50km and a 70 mile option, with the Trail Running World Championships on July 12th I settled for the 50 km. All runners start at mile zero at the South Trail head and count off the concrete mile markers and follow bright yellow blazes all the way up to their chosen destination.
This race is a true trail runners run. Mud, rocks, water, and lots and lots of climbing with super fun downhills. Besides the first couple hundred meters of dirt road, my feet never left beautiful and wild single track until I reached 50km. To add to the tight and twisting trails was over 3200 meters of climbing with only 2700 meters of descent (according to my Garmin Forerunner 305). The first 8 miles were the most difficult, this being a well known fact to all starting, so when I reached the concrete post marked with an eight I was a happy trail runner. I felt fantastic at this point being happy to be done with 75% of the climbing in the first hour and twenty-two minutes. What a better way to celebrate then a 4 km downhill. From this point on I was just ticking off the mile markers as I zig-zaged my way north. The whole day it felt like I was running with a big smile on my face, it was such a fun trail. I very much enjoyed the toughness and beauty that makes up Laurel Highlands. I finished in a time of 4 hrs 32 min 06 sec. setting a new course record by 10 seconds and winning overall. I am only the second runner to ever break 5 hours (and the only one this year). I know 41/2 hours seems slow for a winning time for 50km, let alone a course record, but it was truely a tough day of running on a very demanding race course.
My day was about keeping all systems in check, this being, run fast when I can and keeping the engine fueled. With only 3 aid stations it was very important to manage my fluids and food right. I was very lucky to have my wife Heather meet me at the first two aid stations were I would drop a bottle, get a new bottle and drink one at the station. I drank E-load all day and worked very well for me. Because this was a shorter race for me I only used three Hammer Gels and that seemed more than enough. Not once did my energy level feel depleted during the race.
Equipment: Running Free Jersey, Running Free Headsweats Hat, CWX Pro Shorts, and New Balance 904 TR, Nathan Handheld Waterbottles, Garmin Forerunner 305.
Favourite for the day: CWX shorts. I am super impressed with how well these shorts help keep my legs nice and tight and stable.
Adam Hill, Running Free Barrie
Adam,
Way to go! Sounds like the perfect trail race to me and a great day for you. Good luck at the World’s. I’m going to keep this race in mind for next year.
Jill Sparks