MLK Training Runs Big Success Despite the Cold

Both runs this year started and finished out of the 211 parking lot, which made for easy logistics for runners spending the night on Saturday who planned to run the double. A cozy fire welcomed runners back to the parking lot at the end of both days, which, given the cold, was highly appreciated.

While folks had their fun circling around the trails in the Massanuttens last weekend, several even hardier volunteers showed up to help runners with frozen hands and bladder hoses, and those pesky accidental slips a few runners made into some of the numerous frigid creeks that crossed the trails over the course of the weekend.

A huge thanks goes out to Gil and Maggi Gray, Marlin Yoder, and Joe Miller who stood out in the cold for us all day on Saturday, while on Sunday we saw the Grays once again all day, as well as Susie Casey, Fred Fialco, Tom Simonds, Tommy Corris at Gap to Gap.

Word has it that Eva Pastalkova was out there covering The Ring course, self-supported, making good use of a little time off from her work.

Gil Gray also took the time to record our romp in the mountains, and has posted his photos here:

211 to 211 (revised Gap to Gap) pics | Cat 8 pics

And finally, a big collective appreciation goes to Quatro Hubbard who organized Catherine’s 8 (and whose birthday we celebrated by the fire on Sunday), and to Mike Bur who handled 211 to 211. The runs were possible only because of their efforts. Thank you so much guys!