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FLRC Newsletter - Jun 2003 |
| Delaware Trail Marathon - Newark DE, 4/26/03 | |
This marathon follows a great trail route covering two loops through lovely woods and fields with one major "stream" crossing per loop. The trail was reasonably wide with a decent surface, i.e., not a lot of rocks and roots. Hills were there, but they were generally mild (no "Monster" climbs). Regarding the "stream", a fellow runner said "they call that a river where I come from" and I agree. It was broad and fast though not too deep (only calf high for me). Race organization was outstanding with efficient registration/pick-up, a nice starting ceremony and well-staffed aid stations. So why did it take me 5:34 and change to finish? One word -MUD. It was everywhere. Rain was steady the night before and, as a result, the race site - "White Clay Recreation Area" turned into "Brown Mud Slip-and-Slide Fun Park". As comparison for those who were at HAT Run this year, it was muddier than that slimefest. The Delaware course had two loops for the marathoners, one loop for the half-marathoners with the 10K and 5K runners also using parts of the same trail. In other words, by the second marathon loop it was a heavily trodden mess. I think I went downhill more slowly than up. And, I violated the first rule of trail running, namely "don't take your eyes off the trail". I let my mind wander off the footing as I planned a line through an aid station and adjacent road crossing at about mile 15. Down I went in a mud puddle that covered a bed of sharp rocks. When I got upI was covered in chocolate brown mud,both knees were cut and I had gashed my hand. In other words, I was a mess. I cleaned off most of the mud, but those superficial cuts bleed like crazy and soon one leg and my hand were covered in blood. It was ugly. I washed off at a small stream crossing a few miles down the trail and got to the next aid station looking only a bit ragged. The workers there were great about cleaning and bandaging my cuts so I felt "like new" when I took off. I finished up strong and felt great (OK, sore and great). I even got back to Corning just in time for an unbelievable jazz concert by Steve Turre on Saturday evening. In general, I highly recommend the Delaware Trail Marathon (and Steve Turre).
An interesting sidelight of this marathon was the number of 50-state runners who came because there had not been a marathon in Delaware for a few years. My impression is that many of these runners got their first exposure to trail running. Those to whom I spoke seemed to like the experience a lot. Maybe this will start a 50-states trail marathon club.
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