A sizable bite of the bluff was completed yesterday and despite the hot, humid conditions everyone who we believe started returned to their cars. The run wasn’t without it’s moments though, we lost a dog over the edge at Bluff Head. No-one saw him go but we heard the rustling as he sped to the base of the cliff and just as the decision was made to start heading back down, the poor animal reappeared on the trail, exhausted from a hasty bushwhack back to his master. Then the owner, already nursing a knee injury, slipped and ended up sitting in a bog. From one angle it looked like he had slipped up to his neck in mud but his body was simply covered by foliage.
The northern loop of the Bluff course is tough, without wishing to sound as if I’m hyping it up, the course does include some significant sections of elevation change, very technical stretches and under the tree canopy it is easy to lose your sense of direction, causing you to question if it will every end. Yet despite this, the course has many interesting features including mica rock formations, several creeks, ponds and of course spectacular views from the Bluff itself. Later in the afternoon, Guthrie bumped into a local runner who mentioned he had also been running parts of the course and described it as ‘intimidating’. I hope the experience doesn’t put him off, the route is meant to be challenging but at the same time managable. The event is intended to not only provide a test of the runner’s ability but to make runners aware more aware of the many great trails we have around Guilford. As we munched on banana following yesterday’s ‘bite’, the conversation also turned to the demands of the route. When I first mapped it out I thought an 8 hour cutoff would be sufficient, I’ve always managed to comfortable complete it within 6 hours, but when other Bimbler’s tried it I upped the limit to 9 hours, after yesterday they convinced me that 10 would be a more realistic upper limit.
The goal is to create an opportunity for success, the unique finisher award we are planning will not be devalued by the longer time. It is great to hear that runners are out sampling the course, as it proves that at least one objective of the race is being realized. I just hope that they will now move on to accept the Bluff challenge and sign up!
I am no “expert” on the Bluff course, but I am slowly (literally slowly) getting there. Having participated in yesterday’s “tasting”, as well as the previous Sunday’s “bite”, I would like to make the following observation:
There is plenty of tough going on this course, not too much that is flat-out “intimidating”, except perhaps the climb of the Bluff, but challenging nonetheless. There are plenty of hills to slow you down, drops and rises that demand use of your hands to avoid a fall, and loose rocks here and there to annoy.
BUT, and this is a big BUT: There are a lot of miles made for running. There are long sections that are beautiful, and smooth, and fairly flat. It is definitely not all drudgery. It is much easier to visualize the amazing ascent of The Bluff itself than to remember the benign parts of Rockland, Genesee, and Timberlands. So, yes it is tough, but anyone with the desire to train, and a good race-day strategy, even a first-time ultramarathoner, can come away from this race under the cut-off and quite pleased with their accomplishment.
Here ! Here ! Mr. Forrest. The course does not favor the technical runner or the flat runner. It is not bias and has a little for everybody. A very fair, but challenging course.
P.S I still think that 9 Hours is long enough, but I will admit that I am wrong after the race if it is indeed too short. So 10 Hours it is.