The most recent race I’ve run as part of the USATF Mountain
series was the Cranmore Hill Climb. This
race was my first introduction to mountain racing last year and though it
destroyed me, I also fell in love with the challenge of these races the second
I crossed the line in 2011. Aside from
the awesome all around atmosphere that comes with this race the course changes
a little every year to keep it interesting.
In 2011 it was a 3 loop course covering the same loop 3 times. This year’s race was two completely separate loops
the first was one of the 2011 loops while the second was a brutal ascent up to
the top of the mountain. As said the
organizers of this race know how to put on an awesome race. Registration is quick and easy. Everyone is super friendly and the atmosphere
is amazing. This year the race featured
Italian runner Marco De Gasperi the 6 time world mountain running champion who
was the clear race favorite on this day.
The gun went off sending us on our way and as expected
Gasperi and Kevin Tilton an extremely fast local runner took off. I went out a little quick coming through the
first lap in 6th place but was being closely followed by Dave
Dunham. Dunham and I have gone back and
forth with him getting me at Sleepy Hollow and myself beating him at Wachusett. Today I knew he had the edge since he can
climb like nobodies business. I held him
of for about a quarter of the second major climb until he came roaring by. It took everything I had to try and keep him
in my sites on this long climb but he managed to slowly pull away. The final big climb up to the top really
killed me which allowed Dunham to get out of reach on the downhill but with a
decent lead on the runner behind me I knew as long as I held my place to the
top I could hold my place on the downhill.
A quick loop around a barrel at the top and a quick look at the view
while doing so brought a little life back into me. So down I went. All I had to do was just lay
on the gas down while being careful not to take any huge falls that would take
me out of it and all would be well.
Shortly later I was crossing the finish line. The second loops climbing absolutely destroyed
me in this race. It was super steep to
the top and one of the photographers who directed me half way up at a fork when
I almost went the wrong direction said it best “Either way sucks!” He was right in a super fun kind of way.
The race was a blast there was an awesome gathering as usual
after the race for the awards. As
expected Marco De Gasperi took the win with the top New England guys close
behind. To top off a good day I managed
to take first for my age group. To
celebrate it was off to Moat mountain brewery for burgers and suds before the
ride home. This is a race I love because
one it absolutely kicks my a#@ and two because it was my introduction to this
new obsession of mine to run up big hills.
Next up is the Loon mountain race which I am very nervous for because it
is 5 miles all up hill, hopefully a recent 10 mile loop up and over Mt.
Chocorua will help me out to not suffer to bad.
All you New England trail runners if your looking for some fun there are
two races left in the series with Loon and Ascutney mountain challenge which I
will unfortunately not be able to attend.
www.usatfne.org/trail
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