New Hampshire Archives

Bubba’s Backyard Ultra Beer Mile Race Report

October 13, 2024

Race: Bubba’s Backyard Ultra Beer Mile – The race report Team RunRun didn’t know we were missing!

Runner: Chris Manwaring

*Chris hitting the peak athletic pose while chugging his last beer during the beer mile.*

Race Date: 10/06/2024

Location: Conway, NH

Result: 12 minutes 54 seconds

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Beer! The offering was Lawson’s Little Sip, a 6.2% IPA, graciously left in the sun all day to improve consumability.
Participants: There was a solid group of competitors in the mix, including folks crewing the ultra racers (like me), folks just in town for the day, and a few ultra racers that had dropped out earlier in the day but wanted to squeeze a little more torture into their weekend!
Spectators: We drew a very decent crowd, mostly consisting of ultra race volunteers and racer crew members that wanted to see what all the noise was about.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Hearing all the vomit stories after the mile had finished, but I guess I signed up for this too!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

I mean, it’s a beer mile… I think having to dodge around puke spots on the course while trying not to acknowledge that it’s puke because then your stomach might turn against you?

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Just being out there and running with friends old and new is always enjoyable. Extra camaraderie comes from patting each other on the back to free a stuck burp. One highlight was talking a little trash around lap 3 when you know everyone feels awful. My race prep worked, which consisted of drinking lots of water that morning beforehand and stopping eating of food about 2 hours before the race to keep an empty-ish stomach. However, as can be expected, four beers on an empty stomach hit hard after I was done!

*Lots of camaraderie at Bubba’s Backyard Ultra Beer Mile!*

Walk the last dozen or so steps into the end of the laps. You want your heart rate and breathing rate especially to settle a little bit before chugging to avoid feeling like you’re waterboarding yourself. Also, warm beer goes down easier than cold beer! Lastly, get some good burps in right before you run!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I burp better while running than when I am standing still (who knew?!). I wasted a little time on the first lap trying to force a burp before running.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Bubba’s Backyard Ultra Beer Mile had two different laps, each run twice to make up the 1 mile distance. The odd and even laps are different routes and distances. The even laps are like .15 and the odd laps are like .35. It’s a cross country course all on trail and field, very New England single track.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Gorgeous course! (And the weather was perfect too!)

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Depends on how much you like chugging beer and listening to people dry heave around you!

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Bubba’s Backyard Ultra Beer Mile was about as well organized as a beer mile can get!

Chris Manwaring ahead of Bubba's Backyard Ultra Beer Mile. — *Chris Manwaring ahead of Bubba’s Backyard Ultra Beer Mile.*

Competition – Is there a strong field?

For a beer mile, the field was strong! The winner run 7:40 (yep, that’s 1 mile plus chugging 4 beers in under 8 minutes!) and there were lots of strong chuggers overall.

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.

It’s easy to register through UltraSignup link under the Bubba’s Backyard Ultra page.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Alcoholic beer options, nonalcoholic beer options and seltzers also available.

Weather and typical race conditions

Rest assured, Bubba’s Backyard Ultra Beer Mile will be held rain or shine! So be prepared for all course conditions from dry to muddy and everywhere in between.

Just a strong stomach, a decent pair of trail shoes and good time intentions. Unless you’re planning on being there until sunset, a designate driver is also a must!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Absolutely! Perfect spots available to watch everyone attempt to keep the beers down! This race also happens during lap 28 of the backyard ultra race, which makes for a great excuse for everyone to hang out before and afterwards cheering on the ultra competitors as they race against the clock. A good number of the participants were involved in the ultra in some fashion, either as a crew, volunteer or racer. There were also plenty of opportunities to get out before or after the beer mile (if you’re like me and want to try running hammered) and run a loop of the ultra course as well.

How’s the Swag?

Swag choices were a pick between either a roll of the infamous Bubba’s pink duck tape or a bag of freshly ground White Mountain Ski Company coffee. Obviously, I picked the duck tape.

5 out of 5 stars! I will certainly do this race again, probably aim for a sub 10?! Might have to practice a bit first.

by Chris Manwaring

Interested in tackling the mile distance (with or without the beer)? Check out” Tips for Running a Mile“.

Hamsterwheel 30 Hour Race Report – Bucky Love

November 12, 2022

Race: Hamsterwheel 30 hour

Runner: Bucky Love

Race Date: 11/05/2022

Location: New Boston, NH

Results: 24 hours 22 mins

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8077360242

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

You get to see your friends, family, and crew every 4 miles.
The commitment of the Race Director and her family to make it a great event.
The easiness of the course. Not technically or challenging.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The hot food options I personally found too much or not worth waiting for. I love that the RD spent all week cooking and preparing foods for runners but not many of them were great runners food for during the event. They would have been kick ass to have after. I get what they were going for but it didn’t do it for me. Do you really need a pile of apple crisp or macaroni and cheese in a bowl to carry with you, and that is if you were willing to wait for them to dish it out as usually there was a line with no separation between runners and non-runners. And the overnight food was managed by young boys who fell asleep. Love that they tried but it really didn’t work for me. The grab and go aid station they did have set up was pretty sparse and you had to mix tailwind from bags on the fly. Overall, whereas I really loved this race, and their energy, for me at least I do not believe they had many volunteers with 100 mile or 30 hour running experience that know best how to guide runners and keep them moving. I would never want to do this race without my crew of vast experience.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The hot food options, where I didn’t find them that appealing (probably because I tried it eat it and most of it came back up), but the spread was pretty impressive. They also had movies playing on a giant screen, a live band earlier in the day, and Karaoke at night. It would pretty crazy and fun to run and participate in those types of things, if you didn’t have a specific distance goal in mind.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

My race pace was very consistent. I employed a run 7 mins and walk 3 min intervals from the start and mostly all the way to the end. I had two bad miles in there during a couple of vomit sessions but overall I was steady and the race terrain allowed for it. I also fueled very consistently taking in calories basically every 2 miles. All of this left me feeling the best I have ever felt at the end of a 100 miles.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

I wasted too much time at the aid stations during the night hours because it was fun to see my crew. Watch yourself if you care about time on that. I also over did the tailwind (mixing it on the fly) so it caused me to retain water and not pee. within a couple hours of stopping tailwind my fluids starting flowing regularly.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Same as the lessons above. Thankfully my friends asked about my peeing and knew the solution as I had never even considered stopping electrolytes altogether as the solution. In fact I was making myself drink more . Definitely a good lesson learned in balance.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

That is it flat and a 2 mile out and back with a little deviation at the end that goes up a small hill.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Meh, not really. Very standard New England rail trail and no real views or sights to see

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No, definitely not.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

A little bit of both. They got a lot of things right but the aid station food.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I didn’t really pay attention. My primary goal was to finish the 100 and have fun. which I achieved. I would say there was defiantly 5-6 very strong runners there that went well north of a 100 miles.

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.

The race didn’t seem to sell out as I signed up 3 weeks in advance. I don’t think it takes much special logistics on this one.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

All more comments above

Weather and typical race conditions

It is a New England Race in November. This year it was abnormally hot but other years it has been below freezing, raining, or snowing. I would say the average year would more then likely be low 30’s at night and 40’s during the day.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

I would have gear for hot, cold, wind, rain, and snow. Cover your bases. There is no reason not to have it. You can literally park your car near the start/finish area and have access to all your stuff every 4 miles.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Very spectator friendly. You can see your runner every 4 miles.

How’s the Swag?

There was none that I received or saw. You do get a cool red eyed hamster belt buckle for reaching the hundred and you collect lap wooden medallions which is a cool memento to keep.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4 out of 5 because I think the well intended effort was definitely there and I wouldn’t necessarily say someone needs to run it but if they do, bring a good crew and have fun. It was a fun race and I would recommend to others if they want to get in an end of season 100 but I wouldn’t say it is an must do race.

Midstate Massive 100 Mile Race Report – Keith Nadeau

October 16, 2022

Race: Midstate Massive Ultra Trail 100 miler

Runner: Coach Keith Nadeau

Race Date: 10/08/2022

Location: New Ipswich, NH

Results: 8th place – 22 hrs 4 minutes 23 seconds

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/TX6ExnGr6tb

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

3 bests are the course, community, and season. The course has very diverse terrain ranging from technical steep trail to flat road. Between the race directors, volunteers, crews, and runners met along the way everyone is helpful and friendly. On top of all that the race is run in peak foliage during the fall so proper leaf peepin!

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

No complaints!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The staggered start is a bit weird. 100 milers start in waves every hour / half hour from 8am to 12:30pm. The quicker runners are started later in the day meaning lots of seeing other runners, and not knowing anyones time.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

My race went very smooth! I managed fueling/hydration well and only felt nausea for a few minutes overnight before eating some broth that settled my stomach. It was chilly overnight getting into the mid 30’s and I balanced my body temperature well enough to make it through the night. Mentally I felt focused most of the time and had a positive mood, enjoying the experience more than ever in a 100 for myself.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

The navigation can be challenging on this course, so be sure to have the gpx file uploaded somewhere (watch, phone). I used my watch for navigation the last 3 years on this course and it is incredibly helpful to have it on wrist to check. There are so many moments of uncertainty out there not knowing if you are off course or not.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Patience! I kept on thinking through the night and next morning about the reality of the situation on long runs/ultras. When the miles feel long and the mind wants to drift into negative thought it is easy to slide into a slump. Instead of thinking of the miles I channeled thought into the moment and practiced being patient. No checking the watch for mileage and staying present.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The course is most challenging for the first 30 miles. Many miles of rock, roots, steep ups and downs that provide a good challenge even when fresh from the start. This section can really put the legs in some fatigue if blasting too fast through.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very pretty! Lots of vistas and with the fall foliage it is stunning. This year was also a clear night with a full moon so the night was fairly lit up.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It is not an easy course, but it is also not hard. I would put this somewhere in the middle for difficulty level considering it is a trail ultra. There is a good amount of challenging trail but also a lot of easy trail and flats.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

This event has improved every year and noticeably again this year from last. They added reflectors on some markers through the night, aid station food was better, and logistics seemed dialed in for the most part. Excellent job!

Competition – Is there a strong field?

The competition was more deep this year, but still not highly competitive. Very talented local runners crushing the front of the field!

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.

There are certainly some logistics to dial in for this race but all within reason. They have good info to make it easy on crew / pacers.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Food was much better this year! More options and yummy things to choose from. Fresh espresso made in front of me at 2 am was my favorite. Cheese quesadillas, bacon, potatoes, watermelon, gummy bears, cola, pbj, and some fig newtons I also ate from aid stations.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s the fall in New England so chilly temps is the norm. Most years have been 50’s to 60’s in the day, and 30’s to 40’s at night. Very nice! So far all 4 years have been clear, no rain.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

More than adequate lighting for the night I recommend. I use a Kogalla waist light, and Fenix headlamp and with the two it is easy to navigate and have light all around instead of a little dot in front.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Fairly good for crews with access to about half the aid stations. Other than that you are in the woods mostly!

How’s the Swag?

Good swag! This year an athletic long sleeve top, hat, mug, and HUGE buckle for the finish.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

I would give this race 5 out of 5 stars! Excellent race and adventure you will remember forever.

Keith Nadeau is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with him, check out his coach profile.

Joe English Twilight Challenge 6 Hour Race Report – Nate McBride

October 5, 2022

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?

Midstate Massive Ultra 100 Race Report – Cody Frost

November 9, 2021October 25, 2021

Want to know more about the Midstate Massive Ultra? This was Cody’s first 100 miler but he has lots of lessons learned and insight for the course – read on to learn more about the race and how to that 100 mile belt buckle!

Race: Midstate Massive 100

Runner: Cody Frost

Race Date: 10/09/2021

Location: New Ipswich, New Hampshire

Results: 9th place, 23 hours 41 min

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6092372744

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Most of the climbing and technical trails are done in the 1st half of the race
Part of the fun is navigation. You really need to rely on your GPS tracker to help guide you or else you can get pretty lost
The aid station crew and staff were awesome

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

There is a decent amount that hits roads in the 2nd half of the race when your legs are trashed from the technical climbing during the earlier parts. It gives you the opportunity to run a bit faster but also just chews up the quads!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

You start in waves in 30 minute intervals. I was in wave 3 starting at 9AM. At mile 30 I was the 1st 100 miler, but not in 1st place. I was able to stay the 1st 100 miler up until about mile 75 where a guy who started at 11:30 passed me. He was the only person in the 100 mile race who passed me the whole day and I was the 2nd 100 miler to cross the finish, but due to the wave situation I came in 9th.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I loved the 1st half a lot. I tend to do better on the more technical stuff and can pick off racers during these sections. I use that to my advantage since I am slower on the flats and roads which is where people catch back up. Going up and over Wachusett before the sun started to set was awesome!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Expect to be lost and at least run an additional 1-2 miles. Over the last 10 miles I was thinking that I had a little over 2 hours to finish … little did I know that about 5-6 of those miles were on this really technical rocky section that you (well at least I) cannot run and ended up doing 17 min miles. It was a mental kick in the gut but after that it is pretty smooth sailing to the finish.
Aid station 4 to after Mt Wachusett is probably the most difficult climbing – once you are done with that you’ve finished the majority of the elevation.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I carried WAY too much in my pack – too much food, too much Tailwind. I would have cut what I carried in half and that would have made things a little easier for my shoulders and back through the course of the race.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Keep your eyes open and follow the yellow triangles! Just be prepared to get lost and try not to get too frustrated when it happens.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It’s really pretty – it is during the height of fall foliage season. You get some great colorful views of lakes, mountains, etc while it is still light out.

Difficulty – Is the Midstate Massive Ultra a tough course?

This was my 1st 100 so it was tough to me! But I will say that given the 2nd half is roads it makes it a slightly easier course than if it was an out and back on the 1st half. I have done hard (physically, not mentally) runs in this same area in the past.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Super well organized – the staff was awesome. It was just the 3rd year running this race but it ran smooth. They allow 1 drop bag that they move along the course to 3 spots during, then the finish – I was worried that I’d miss my bag at some point but never had an issue!

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Fairly strong competition – mostly local New England folks but they are a tough breed.

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.

Given that it is relatively new, it isn’t too bad to get into. There are hotels around and AirBnB’s that you can find as well.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Most of the aid stations were supplied with the normal stuff… water, soda, hydration mix (this year was Body Armor and last two years it was Tailwind). Each varied a bit after that from Clif bars, bananas, oranges and watermelon to perogies, quesadillas, veggie broth and chicken soup. Lots of good choices!

Weather and typical race conditions

Expect it to be 40-50 overnight and 60-70 during the day. Typically, it is perfect conditions! T-shirt and shorts for me the whole time with gloves on at night when it dipped into the 50s… I probably didn’t need gloves either but was too tired to take them off after getting them on my hands.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

They have some requirements which include – flashing red light, phone with extra battery charged (you have to use an app called RaceJoy for tracking/safety purposes but it also helps you when you get off course and allows spectators to follow you and send you cheers), a Buff or mask for covid precautions, headlamp (obviously for running at night), ability to carry 2L of water (you don’t have to hold this much but need to have the option) and an emergency blanket.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

There are a few spots for crew to meet up with you – I forget how many spots since I went crewless, but there was a decent amount. Don’t expect to see people all along this course though like you would a marathon.

How’s the Swag?

Great – long sleeve shirt, buff and belt buckle for 100 mile finishers.

The Overall Score for the Midstate Massive Ultra – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4.5 out of 5 – I’d do it again for sure!

Cody Frost is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Cody, check out his coaching page.

Bear Brook Trail Marathon Race Report

October 28, 2021July 27, 2021

Race: Bear Brook Trail Marathon

Runner: Keith Nadeau

Race Date: 7/24/2021

Location: Allenstown, NH

Results: 3:55:23 – 1st place

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/bQt9TrTlbib

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

I loved the scenery and park as this was my first time experiencing these woods. They made the course showcase most of what this park has to offer. Very friendly community!

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The course markings were pretty hard to follow. Lots of runners got lost and confused including myself. The RD was very understanding of this and sent out an email the night after the race apologizing and ensuring they will fix that for next year’s event.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

For me the weirdest part was signing up for this 3 days before the race. I just found it and figured it would be a great training day for Eastern States 100 I’m signed up for in mid August. Glad I found it just before registration closed.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Even though the course was flooded and impossible to not get wet I feel like I handled it well! I realized I would be soaked no matter what so early on I stopped caring so much about dancing around every puddle and sloshed through. I pushed the pace when I could but took it a little slower on the ascents to save some gas.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Be observant on an unknown course. I had a few intersections where I stopped and looked hard for where to go. Some signs had been blown into the woods from the storm so I picked them up to try and figure out where it had been pointing. Still not fully sure if I did the whole course correctly but I think I did. I wanted to push through the confusing parts but realized I would probably get lost that way so glad I took the time to navigate.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

During this race I thought a lot about having fun and not allowing the stress to gain control of me. Some of the confusing parts I felt myself getting tense but found a way to calm down and try to enjoy the experience even though it wasn’t perfect. Usually there will be something or many things that go wrong and we can dwell on, but in the end it only make things harder to focus on that stuff.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Bring a map! I didn’t have a handheld map and that would have been a life saver on some parts. I signed up very late for the race and never got a pre race email that included the course map so not much I could do this time.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very pretty course! They have it set up so you don’t see anything more than once and explore the whole park. Mostly wooded areas, no high vistas or big views but very majestic woods to run through and a few beautiful ponds you run along side of a few times.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It is a tough course for sure, especially with the flooding this year. A little over 3k of gain which comes mostly in the beginning and end but the middle holds some good rollers to battle through. Some sections very technical with rocks/roots while other sections were dirt/gravel fire roads.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It felt like a very well run event in some aspects but lacking in others. The RD was very thoughtful about the things that went wrong and it seems like he will surely make changes to fix them next year. The food and aid stations were incredible and all the volunteers were cheerful and helpful. Amazing community!

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This race has seen some decent competitive years but not so much this year. Lots of people out there pushing their limits but pretty big time gaps for the front finishers. I took it out pretty quick and was alone the whole race.

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.

Easy to get in using UltraSignup. Price seemed a little high but I think it was totally worth it. Especially the food was unreal at the finish!

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Standard aid stations with water and some goodies, and the marathon had 6 stations which allowed me to run with just a .5l handheld and some gels in my pocket.

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather was very good for the day of, but the night before a bad storm rolled through. Temperatures were mild and partly cloudy with few bugs. The trails were just so muddy and wet though that it was sub par trail conditions.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Some runners had their packs on and I almost did but you can get away with just a handheld on this one for sure. The frequency of aid stations makes it totally doable.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not many spots to spectate. It does run through the bear brook campground which is cool and would be the best spot to have friends see you roll through. The start/finish area was great and very good for spectators.

How’s the Swag?

Some good swag! I got a hat for me and my girlfriend. Also, my trophy is crazy! It’s a bear paw mounted to a live edge wood (not a real bear paw though!) Very cool!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

I would give this race an 8/10. If they can fix the markings I can’t think of much I would want changed. Such a fun and beautiful course mixed with a friendly local community! So good!

Black Bear Half Marathon Race Report – Keith Nadeau

September 19, 2020September 13, 2020

Race: Black Bear Half Marathon

Runner: Keith Nadeau

Race Date: 09/05/2020

Location: Waterville Valley, NH

Results: 2nd place overall – 1:29:46

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/fO3gz4BaH9

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

They did a staggered start so everyone started alone 10 – 15 seconds apart. It made the starting field of 100 not feel so chaotic and congested.
The course was great! Everything from burly technical ascents to flat roads. It constantly changed and challenged everyone in different ways.
Feeling a sense of running community for the first time in 2020 for me.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

No complaints:)

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The weirdest thing to me was that it was supposed to be a bit over half marathon distance. Near the end two people that were volunteering telling everyone to skip the small loop around a pond. It took me and I’m sure others off guard but at the same time I don’t think anyone was complaining about it.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Super happy with my approach to this one. I started out more conservative and was able to finish stronger than ever. I started in 11th from my estimated time but I should have put down a much faster time in retrospect. I passed runners in the first 4 miles until I was in 3rd place. I slowly caught the guy in 2nd and with a great 400m effort to kick it in I almost got him at the line. I started about 2 minutes after him with the staggered start so I knew I had 2nd place. Proud of digging deep at the end.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Patience!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Patience!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Bomb the downs and survive the ups.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very pretty course. It’s all wrapped in the woods and nature of New Hampshire and the start/finish location is beautiful.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not particularly difficult although there is some technical trail and ascending to be done. Relatively fast course for trail.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized! 10/10

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Not a very deep field. After the top 5 the times dropped off. The guys up front had some wheels though!

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.

They made it as easy as possible.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

3 aid stations. I didn’t stop at any but they looked well stocked and had happy people wringing bells at them.

Weather and typical race conditions

Bluebird day

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Just a 12oz soloman sot flask handheld. No gear other than that.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes but not too many spots to go to watch.

How’s the Swag?

Awesome hat!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

10/10

Wallis Sands Half Marathon Race Report – Tom A

August 15, 2020May 26, 2019

Race: Wallis Sands 1/2 Marathon

Runner: Tom A

Race Date: 05/19/2019

Location: Rye, NH

Results: 1:31:42 https://allsportsevents.com/Results/running_results/WallisSandsHalfMarathon2019.html#/race/c4a7y9//

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Flat and Fast

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Wind 1st four miles and last 2 miles

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

None

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Enjoyed fast splits. Also It was very special that I raced with my wife. We train together and are about equal in pace. Last race she beat me by 8 seconds in a ten mile race, this time beat her by 11 seconds. We both broke our 1/2 marathon bests.

My wife got 2nd in 40-44 age division and I got 2nd in the 50-54 age division. I crushed my master PR by 20 minutes.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Don’t each fish the night before. At mile 6.5 the fish was not agreeing with my stomach

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Drink water with electrolytes or salt pills to avoid cramping, and not each fish the night before

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Watch for weather report on wind and temp.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very scenic and see the fantastic oceanside and beach houses.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

WIND AT THE FINISH

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Well organized race

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Very competitive field.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Aid stations were great, spaced just right

Weather and typical race conditions

Was perfect weather other than the wind

How’s the Swag?

OKAY, t-shirts were great, and free picture download for race participants. The only complaint is that the should really have an awards ceremony. You bring your bib number and collect a medal. Top runners get no recognition. I think they could do a better job with this.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4 out of 5 stars.

Wallis Sands Half Marathon Race Report – Alyssa A

August 15, 2020May 21, 2019

Race: 2019 Wallis Sands Half Marathon

Runner: Alyssa A

Race Date: 05/19/2019

Location: Rye, NH

Results: 1:31:54 – 8th woman finisher and 21st out of 798

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Very Fast and Flat course

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The wind the last two miles on the ocean front

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Nothing was Weird

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Me and my husband ran the race and we were 10 seconds apart. The weather was perfect

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Don’t save your fast miles for last because of the wind.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Don’t eat fish the night before your race. It did not agree with me on race day.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very scenic course, on the ocean and pretty neighborhoods

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

NO, this is a place to go to set a Personal Record. I improved my 1/2 marathon time from 2017 by 13 minutes.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Course was well organized

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Very competitive field. I finished 2nd in my age division to only get out sprinted by the 1st place in my age division.

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.

We drove 2 hours to get to the race. If you don’t want to travel far, I would recommend getting a hotel.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Water stations were great

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather was fantastic. Only factor to be concerned with is the wind. I would check the weather reports if you are really trying to improve you 1/2 marathon time

How’s the Swag?

Great t-shirts

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

8 out of 10.

White Lakes Ultra Race Report – Robert H

August 15, 2020May 15, 2019

Race: White Lakes Ultra

Runner: Robert H

Race Date: 05/04/2019

Location: Tamworth, NH

Results: 50.4Miles

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Well organized race.
Welcoming and easy logistics for a beginner looking to do first 50M
Very positive vibe

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I either need to get faster or slower. Spent most of the race running by myself.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The aid station volunteers after many hours of volunteering became a very interesting group to watch.
Found out afterwards that during my last lap as I kept thinking it would suck to get eaten by a bear and stop 1 mile short of my goal that someone had actually seen a couple of bears out on the course earlier in the day.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Completed my first 50Miles
Talked with several great people
Hot Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!
Tacos!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Stay at the local hotel. It was a whopping 8 minutes from the start. Super accommodating for late check out.
Course has several large water crossing due to rain. So bring extra shoes, etc
There was plenty of room for more runners

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I had set a mental goal of wanting to get 50 miles. I expected it to take longer than it did. In all my preps, I had only thought about what if cases for if I couldn’t meet my main goal. I didn’t have a goal beyond 50M so lost my drive to continue.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

None. This is not a hard technical course. A little bit of technical work, but most of it was very runnable.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Nice course in a park.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

This was year 2. The organizers seemed to have their game face on and it ran well.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Not sure. Winner did 86 miles.

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.

The race closes out the field fairly early. No race day sign up.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

1 aid station because it was a looped course

Weather and typical race conditions

It had been raining all week, but was clear and comfortable for race day

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Nothing special

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Loop course so get to see you every loop.
Loop was about 2.8 miles

How’s the Swag?

Good

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Kismet Cliff Half Marathon Race Report – Brian E

August 12, 2020September 24, 2018

Race: Kismet Cliff Run – Trail Half Marathon

Runner: Brian E

Race Date: 09/23/2018

Location: Echo Lake State Park – North Conway, New Hampshire

Results: 3:20:25

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1861024537/overview

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Stunning views
Small event with really fun people
It is really, really technical terrain

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The conga line at the start of the climb
Underestimating the difficulty of this thing

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Nothing in particular.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

My power hiking and technical running were on point! This might sound weird but here goes. I wanted to feel what running to the point of near failure is like and I got it. My legs started cramping at mile 8 and by the time I was within one mile I was on the verge of puking and/or passing out. There was nothing left in the tank at the finish line.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

There is a two-mile flat trail run to the first hill climb so try to get out ahead of the crowd to avoid the bottleneck on the single track ascent.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I’ll be hustling to the first climb and passing people more aggressively. I will be fully hydrated prior to the start. Those two factors probably cost me 20 minutes.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The back side of the big climb is a treacherous mix of smooth, steep and wet rock leading to a barely runnable (but you will) minefield of roots, rocks, and drops. It’s fast, thrilling and terrifying all at once.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The start/finish is an amazing sight, a beautiful little lake with cliffs behind it. There are a few spots along the course which open up to reveal the White Mountains.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yup. 4200′ of elevation gain and loss. Probably 2500′ of that is fairly technical climbing and a mile of technical, barely runnable descent.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It is well oiled machine and run by a really fun running club working to benefit a local charity.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I finished in the top third, give or take, and there were about 6 of us who were battling over the last 5 miles. So there was definitely good-natured competition and fun. The winners finished at 2:10 – 2:15 which is unimaginable to me!

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.

There were still spots available in the days leading up to the race. I believe there is no day race of sign-ups.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

I didn’t stop at the 2 mile aid station (mainly for the 5 milers). The 4 mile offered water, some candy, and bars. The station at 10 miles is literally in the middle of nowhere and offers only water. How they got 60 gallons of water out there is beyond me!

Weather and typical race conditions

Temps were in the high 50s with low humidity this year with beautiful blue skies. I heard horror stories of high 80s temps and humidity last year. It’s New England, ya never know.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Not really but I did bring a light jacket, hat, and gloves just in case. Next year I will use poles for part of the climb and descent.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not really. There is very limited parking at the start/finish area in the park. People did hike in about a mile to cheer which was exactly what I needed.

How’s the Swag?

A sweet pint glass and hat. It’s a $35 race so I didn’t expect any swag, this was a nice surprise.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

I’m giving this a 5 out of 5. The organizers claim it’s the toughest half marathon anywhere and, while I have nothing to compare it to, I believe it. It feels like a fun adventure with your friends but with aid stations. Everyone I talked to afterward had a blast and I will be back next year with a goal of sub-3 hours!