Race: Joe English Twilight Challenge 6 Hour
Runner: Nate McBride
Race Date: 10/01/2022
Location: Amherst, NH
Results: http://www.joe-english.org/results.php (but not live yet)
Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/7897457274
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
They have:
- An amazing course for a loop race…just absolutely perfect rolling woods and farmland
- An amazing group of volunteers who put in 110% for this race every year
- Fantastic post-race (or mid-race) food
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
There is nothing about this race I do not love. It is such a deceiving challenge and even the gutsiest end up walking as the clock winds down.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
2,500 feet of vert for a marathon? Yup. It’s baffling but you feel it early and it just gets worse…it’s such a great equalizer.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
Well I have a fractured pelvis right now and so have only been able to work on my fast hike for the last 6 weeks so I had to do about 95% of this race at a fast hike with only a few small opportunities to run (the steepest climbs up.). However, I almost was able to do a marathon at my fast hike pace and I just needed four more minutes on my last loop and I would have had it. Had to do the quarter loop out and back instead but it was close and that gets me psyched for 2023 race season. My power hike is my new superpower.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Your calves are going to get wrecked. The course SEEMS like flat and perfect trail but it’s got so much proprioception baked into it that your feet have to work 2x as hard to find their way. So find the best line that you can and stay in it every loop otherwise it will catch up to you fast. I see a lot of people having to hike backwards up the climbs each year by the end because their calves are wrecked.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Next year I am going to be really aggressive on the first 20k and then pull back to powerhike/run tradeoffs…should be easy to net a 50k and still be able to move fast by the end.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Road shoes will do you just fine. Leave the trail clunkers at home…you will be lucky if you step on a single rock in the whole course.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Gorgeous – and they light 6 huge bonfires along the course in the woods and have groups of high school kids manning them so in a 2.4 mile loop you get to pass all of these little parties and they are so much fun!! When not around the bonfires it’s as dark as dark can get and so you get the moon and stars which are pretty spectacular.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
It is very deceivingly difficult. If you have ever run far on a beach, golf course, or similar athletic fields you know what happens over time. Yet, it’s a perfectly smooth trail.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Bar none one of the best run ultras in NE in my opinion and I have done a lot of them.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Every year varies. This year there were 5 or 6 people in each age group going full bananas while the rest of the pack was just out for the experience.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Nah, I don’t think it has ever sold out but it is in the buttcrack of southern new hampshire. It goes from 5pm to 11pm so I find it’s always pretty easy to get home and I live 90 min south.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Just one at the start/finish. It’s a short enough loop that even a novice should be able to make it home without dying.
Weather and typical race conditions
Always very cold with a breeze. It is southern new hampshire in October so you could get anything up there.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Like I said, leave the trail shoes at home! Road shoes will do ya just fine, otherwise it’s your regular running kit with maybe a few extra layers.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
They will see you about every 25-35 min when you come through and there is always a ton of hooting and hollering as people come through the paddock for the time sensors.
How’s the Swag?
Nice shirt, some local goodies…I’d rather they give the money to the charities they donate to so it works for me!
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
10 out of 10 and yes!! It’s a 6 hour loop race!! What’s not to love?