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FLRC Newsletter - Apr 2004 |
| Tussy Mountainback | |
You can't exactly say there's an ultra-distance running boom sweeping the nation. But, there's certainly some sparks of interest being ignited across the U.S., especially in the Northeast.
Running 50- or 100-kilometers, or 50- and 100-miles is not everyone's cup of tea (or Gatorade). But do you wonder where a marathoner goes when that 26.2-mile challenge has been conquered?
It looks like you won't have to go too far from home.
The inaugural Western New York Ultra Series has been created in an effort to determine the best ultra runners in our region, and to stimulate participation in ultras on the roads and on trails. The name is a bit of a misnomer, because all runners, no matter where you live, are invited to join the series. And, not all of the series' ultras are in western New York. One is in Hector -- and it's FLRC's ultra!
The fours races which have been selected for the WNY Ultra Series are as follows:
There is no additional fee to enter the series, just the entry fees set by directors of the four respective ultras.
Points will be awarded to each runner following the completion of each ultra. You must be listed as an official finisher in the results to gain points. The scoring is based on the performance relating to the overall age-category winner in each race. Competition divisions include male/female and open/masters.
The winner receives a maximum score of 100 points, and all other runners receive a proportion of that score based on time. Runners can do as little as one event, but are encouraged to do all four ultras. The best three performances count for series' totals.
For more information, go to the series' official Web site at www.wny-ultra.org, where you will find links to all four series races. [Ed. note: I would urge you to email the series director Tom Perry -- his email address is on the Web site -- and request that he expand his limited age-group categories to include seniors and 40-49. What he has listed may be typos?]
Usually, ultra national championships end up in faraway places like Alaska, Colorado and Washington State. But we have one coming to a place near us best known for collegiate football and university brainpower.
The Mountain, Ultra and Trail (MUT) Council of USA Track & Field this week awarded the National 50-Mile Ultra Road Race Championship for open (ages 39-under) and masters (40-over) to the 2004 Tussey Mountainback 50-Mile Ultra, near State College, Pa.
The race date is Oct. 2, and the single-loop ultra will be contested at the Rothrock State Forest, and the Tussey Mountain Ski Resort, southeast of Penn State. There will be prize money awarded to overall open and masters champions, but the ultra is open to all runners regardless of ability.
For more information, contact race director Mike Casper, 103 East Hamilton Ave., State College, Pa. 16801, or via e-mail: mcc4@psu.edu. Or, go to the Nittany Valley Runner's Club Web site at www.nvrun.com, or to www.usatf.org.
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