Two weekends ago a crew of “hardcore athletes” gathered in my hometown, Westford, VT to test themselves against the elements. The event was designed by Stuart Ashley, local police officer and former teacher’s assistant in my first grade class, and Tom Lane former biathlete from Chugiak Alaska and current ace groomer of the Westford Ski Trails. I heard all the way in Idaho about how much of a success the event was. It is amazing how the simple pleasures in life, like racing through a river on a cold November day, keeps Vermonters happy ! Thanks to everyone who showed up. I wish I could have been there to take part. Your great energy will be helping me on the race trails this winter! Below is a race re-cap from my mom.
On a brisk and breezy Saturday morning earlier this month, a hardy group of runners (spanning ages 10 to 65) from northwest VT convened at the elementary school for a little run in the woods. They had heard through “word of mouth” about a little XC challenge to raise their spirits and benefit their hometown boy, Colin, in his pursuit of Olympic glory.
At more or less 10 AM a group of about 30 runners and two eager dogs took off across the school athletic fields, crossed Brookside Road and disappeared into the woods. About 20 minutes later they reappeared, a little more muddy, but each one smiling and with a tale to tell…a tale of mud, logging roads and single tracks, a rope-assisted ascent and a ledge-top ramble. They crossed back onto school property to vault two hay bales (the large round rolled type) and then enjoy the varied terrain of the Westford School XC trails. A slight diversion off the trails led to the dreaded (but really not so terrible) Browns River crossing (x2). After the first shock of waist-deep frigid water wore off and numbness set in, the deeper, second crossing really wasn’t so bad. Soggy shoes were a factor as racers closed in on the finish.
Congratulations were in order as this motley crew crossed the finish line. I think there was a watch at the line, and I hear there were some fast sprints to the finish, but more important were the grins and love of high-spirited fun that the “competitors” enjoyed!
Thanks to all who came to run and for your support of Colin! A particularly warm thanks to Tom Lane and Stewart Ashley who conceived, organized and ran the event. This was another successful fundraiser, and your support, again, was greatly appreciated!
By Peggy Rodgers
11/16/09
Check out the pics!
Those trails were buffed out! Can’t wait to run my planks along those river banks. Thanks Tom and Stuart!