Wapack Trail Race (18 Miles)

Newe Ipswich, NH, September 4, 2011

Wapack Trail Race Report

Wapack Trail Race Report September 4, 2011 Unlike last year's low humidity and temperatures in the 60s, this year's 61 Wapack finishers experienced very high humidity and temperatures in the low 80s. Views were non-existent due to fog and generally hazy conditions. Except for some cooling breezes along the ridges, this was not a day for course records, or so you would think. But you would be wrong. Amy Lane of S. Deerfield, MA brought the women's course record down to 3:07:09 and seemed to have lots of gas left in the tank when she finished. Taking first place in a time of 2:23:50 was 29-year old Brandon Newbould of Nottingham, NH. The others in the top five were Dave Herr (course record holder, 2:33:49, 40-49 age group winner), Brian Rusiecki (2:39:53, 30-39 age group winner), Chris Hayhurst (2:41:16), and Jim Johnson (2:43:25). The 50-59 age group winner was Mark Dearing (3:46:22) and Jim Campiformio led the 60-69 age group (3:50:31). On the women's side, former course record holder Erica LaBella, 32, from Littleton, NH, finished second in 3:32:36 and Michele Hammond finished third and also led the 50-59 age group with a record time of 4:15:05. The Wapack Trail goes from Greenfield, NH to Ashburnham, MA and the race is run out and back over the 9 mile section from New Ipswich, NH to Ashburnham. There are four peaks to go over in each direction and the total elevation climb for the 18 miles is 4,000 feet or more. To put these 18 miles in perspective, the finishing time of a runner in the Wapack Trail Race is very close to the time they can run a road marathon, though that is about the only thing those two types of running events have in common! The Wapack Trail Race in 2012 will be held on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.