Great Weather Great Race

 Pope Sets New Course Record at YUTC


This was the 7th year of the YUTC and another year of picture perfect weather-low of around 60 to start, and high in the 70's as the day went by.

The 2011 YUTC was Race Director Bob Combs last year as the RD-and after the pre-race briefing, he also set out to run a loop of the YUTC before taking over finishing line duties.

Lloyd Thomas repeated his 25K win, finishing in a time of 2.03.09.

Paula Bittler seemed surprised-then happy-to find she was the 1st female winner in the 25K, finishing in 2.37.30.

Tracey Ross took the female 50K win in 5.10.42.  This was her first ultra win, and will not be her last.  Her father Ron Ross, one of the YUTC legacy runners, finished a bit farther back than his daughter.

Shaun Pope continues his domination in trail running and set a new course record in 3.51.56.  As with the Ross Family, Shaun's dad, John Pope also finished the YUTC a few more minutes behind his son's finish.

There were many first time ultra runners on the course, celebrating their first ultra finish and some of them their first trail run.  Jim Billock ran farther than his brother on Saturday (NEO TC member Nick Billock, who ran the Air Force Marathon, overseas) and completed his first ultra distance.

One runner liked the course so much he did a third loop of Lake Newport, extending his ultra finish mileage to 35 instead of 31.  NEO TC did not charge him more for those extra miles.

Christine Kalie had done a loop of the YUTC course during on the NEO TC FA events two years ago. This year she returned for her first 50K finish.

Many first time runners to Mill Creek Park were amazed by the beauty of the wood of MCP.

Everyone seemed appreciative and happy of the efforts put forth by NEO TC to spend a great day on trails, with friends, in the late summer of Ohio.

7th Year of the YUTC

This Saturday will be the 7th year of the Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic-usually referred to as "YUTC" (pronounced yut-zee). 

Our club race has grown in popularity, with 55 finishers in the first year, in 2005.

A 25K race was added in 2008, with 26 finishers. 

Compare that to 2010, 76 finishers in the 50K, with 51 finishers in the 25k. 

Our race profiles the beauty of Mill Creek Park, right in the middle of Youngtown, Ohio.  Most runners who encounter MCP for the first time can't believe the luck of having this park right in the middle of an urban city.


Or the fact that a trail race runs across an interstate.

This is the last year that Bob Combs will be the Race Director. Bob has moved out West and returned for his last YUTC.  Thank you for all your hard work, Bob!

The weather is looking great for the Saturday race: low of 48,  high of 70 degrees F. Almost perfect for a late summer trail race. We look forward to seeing you there!

Combs Finishes Cascade Crest 100

Congratulations to Bob Combs, for finishing the Cascade Crest 100 Mile Race in 29 hours 42 minutes!

Hardrock 100

The eighteenth running of the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run is scheduled to start at 6:00 am, Friday July 8, 2011, in Silverton, Colorado. In 2011, the course will be run in the counter-clockwise direction - a big loop through the San Juan Mountains of beautiful southwest Colorado: 100-miles plus 33,992 feet of climb and 33,992 feet of descent for a total elevation change of 67,984 feet with an average elevation of 11,186 feet - low point 7,680 feet (Ouray) and high point 14,048 feet (Handies Peak)

Good luck to NEO TC Members Bob Combs, Roy Heger, and the legendary John DeWalt!

Live broadcasts can be followed here on Friday:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aravaiparunning

Recover from the Holiday's 50K

Several NEO Trail members (Cam Baker, Bob Combs, Jim Harris, Andy MacGinnitie, Rich Vrboncic, & John DeWalt) participated in the 7th Annual Recover from the Holiday's 50K run yesterday. This fun run is organized each year by Rick Freeman, race director for the Laurel Highlands Ultra, and takes place in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania.

Click Here to view complete results and a recap of the run.

MMD 50K

Last weekend, NEO Trail members Bob Combs and John Dewalt took part in the MMD 50K in New Hampshire. Many argue that the event is the most difficult 50K trail race in the country!

The course traverses New Hampshire's White Mountains taking runners over the Northern Presi’s before running over the Cats and Carters. The Presidential Range, pictured below (click to enlarge), is a series of peaks named after prominent figures and Presidents of the 18th and 19th centuries. Completing all the 4,000+ peaks from one edge to the other has become known as the Presidential Traverse.


About 15 runners finished the trail race, including Bob in just over 16 hours and John in 24.5 hours. For a detailed report of the day, click here for Steve Pero's report.

Summer Buckeye Trail 50K

This past weekend several club members participated in the 15th annual Summer Buckeye Trail 50K, which is an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at the Oak Grove pavilion in Brecksville, Ohio. The weather was unseasonably cool this year with highs in the upper 60s and even some rain. A nice break though from previous years where it has been sunny and in the mid to upper 80s. Once again, Vertical Runner was able to organize another quality event and finishers of this year's event were treated to a new finishers medal in the shape of the Buckeye Trail blue blaze.

Here is the list of N.E. Ohio Trail Club members who finished this year...

Dave Peterman - 4:59:29 (20th overall)
Stephan Kremer - 5:13:39 (34th overall)
T.J. Hawk - 5:17:11 (35th overall)
Ron Ross - 5:23:16 (39th overall)
Jim Christ - 5:55:20 (64th overall)
Brett Himes - 5:57:42 (68th overall)
Brandon Russell - 6:02:07 (74th overall)
Jim Harris - 6:17:58 (85th overall)
Bob Combs - 6:23:53 (87th overall)
Daniel Bellinger - 6:25:20 (90th overall, New male 60 & over record - formerly 6:46:27)
Kurt Osadchuk - 6:27:35 (93rd overall)
Bruce McMurray - 7:02:12 (119th overall)
Paul Lefelhocz - 7:35:40 (138th overall)

For complete results, photos, and videos - Click Here

2009 Hardrock 100

Last weekend, NEO Trail members Bob Combs and John Dewalt both finished the 2009 Hardrock 100 held in Silverton, CO with times of 46:00 and 47:47, respectively. A total of 140 runners started the 15th running of Hardrock and 105 finished. Special kudos to John Dewalt being the oldest finisher at 73.

The winner on the men's side was Karl Meltzer running 24:38, a new course record for the counter-clockwise course and the 2nd fastest time ever! Diana Finkel won it for the women in a course record 27:18.

Hardrock Numbers
Miles: 100
Elevation Gain: 33,000'
Average Elevation: 11,186'
High Point: 14,048' (Handies Peak)
Low Point: 7,680' (Ouray)

Results - Youtube Playlist

2009 No Frills, Just Hills FA

The 2nd Annual No Frills, Just Hills FA took place yesterday at Kendall Hills in the Cuyahoga Valley. Twenty-four total runners started the event sharply at 8 AM, seeing how many loops they could complete in the 6-hour time limit. An alternative course was required this year due to construction at the dam. This year's loop totaled 2.25 miles instead of last years 2 mile loop.

Jim Chaney won the title this year in a record setting 15 loops. Suzanne Pokorny led the women with 11 loops. And Jim Christ's dog, Jordan, led the non-human category completing 1 loop. Again, runners enjoyed the event sharing stories, miles, and food afterwards.

NEO Trail members that took part in the event include: Brian Musick, Courtney Baker, Dave Peterman, Jeff Musick, Jim Christ, Kim Love-Ottobre, Mark Anson, Paul Lefelhocz, Tanya Cady, Jim Harris, and Bob Combs

Pictures of the event can be viewed on Facebook. For complete results, click here.

Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Miler

This past weekend several NEO Trail members completed the 15th running of the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run despite having some of the worst weather conditions in the race's history and the 3rd lowest finishing rate to date. The day began with light fog and humidity levels near 100%. As the sun burned off the haze, the temperature and the dew point quickly rose. In nearby Front Royal, the temperature topped out at 85F at 2 pm, while the dew point was miserably above 70 from noon until after 2 p.m.

After being broiled, the runners were "treated" to a round of torrential rain and frequent lightning durign mid-afternoon. A second more significant round of thunderstorms swept over the course between 6 and 7 pm with nasty lightning and even reports of golf ball sized hail. This second system lingered until 10:30 or so. Radar estimates showed that 1 to 2 inches of rain fell over the entire course between 2 p.m. and midnight.

Here are the club results:

Lloyd Thomas - 100 miles - 27:41:38

Bill Losey - 100 miles - 33:51:31

Bob Combs - 100 miles - 34:32:44

Paul Lefelhocz - 81.4 miles

Brian Musick - 64.9 miles

Dave Peterman - 48.2 miles

Forget the PR, Mohican 50K

This past Sunday, 11 NEO club members took part in the Forget the PR Mohican 50K held at the Mohican State Park Campgrounds in Loudonville, Ohio. The event, in its inaugural year, was a success and lives up to its name with plenty of hills. Complete results are available on the race blog. Don Baun's Race Report - Kim's Photos

The club members that participated include:

• Dave Peterman - 5:17
• Ron Ross - 5:23
• Courtney Baker - 6:39
• Doug Delahanty - 6:39
• Paul Lefelhocz - 6:43
• Bob Combs - 6:43
• Corey Volz - 6:4
• Don Baun - 6:56
• Bill Wagner - 7:13
• Bruce McMurray - 7:24
• Mike Halkovich - 7:37
  

Elizabeth Furnace FA 50K

On Saturday, Bob Combs ran the Elizabeth Furnace FA 50K. This event is held in the Elizabeth’s Furnace/Signal Knob area of the George Washington National Forest in the Fort Valley of Virginia. He finished in 8:17. For complete results click here.

Covered Bridge FA 50K

On Saturday, NEO Trail hosted its annual Covered Bridge FA 50K at Mill Creek Park. There was a great turnout of 16 people including 11 NEO Trail Club members. Members present were (miles next to name):

• Bob "Gombobu" Combs (16)


• Nick Billock (31)


• Don Baun (31)


• Joe "Moose" Novicky (31)


• Brian "Little Pebble" Musick (31)


• Bruce "The Moose" McMurray (20)


• "Slim" Jim Harris (38)


• Lloyd "LT" Thomas (31)


• Lifetime member Dave Peterman (38)


• Courtney Baker (22)


• Jeff "RO" Musick (20)

A great time was had by all despite the rain (and thunder...and lightening...and mud...Oh my!). Jim Harris and Courtney Baker (pictured below) won the Men's and Women's division of the Ohio FA 50K Championship, respectively.

The Reverse Ring

This past weekend a few members went down to Virginia to run the reverse ring which is a 71.1 mile run on the Massanutten Trail and put on by the Virgina Happy Trails Running Club. Jim Harris, after completing a 25 mile TWOT loop the night before, ran the reverse ring. Bill Losey also completed the loop and Bob Combs called it a day at 46 miles. A new reverse loop record was set by Keith Knipling.

Results - Reverse Ring Page - Pics of the Run

The Wild Oak Trail 100

This past Saturday Bob Combs completed a 25 mile loop in Virginia in the annual TWOT 100. Good weather and good times were had by all.

Results ~ Charlie Miracle's Photos ~ Sophie Speidel's Photos (her blog report)

Hardrock Entrant List Up

Congrats to club member Bob Combs for making the 2009 Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run entrant list.

The fifteenth running of the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run is scheduled to start at 6:00 am, Friday July 10, 2009, in Silverton, Colorado. In 2009, the course will be run counter-clockwise - a big loop through the San Juan Mountains of beautiful southwest Colorado: Silverton - Sherman (Lake City) - Ouray - Telluride - Ophir - Silverton, 100 miles, 33,000' total elevation gain, 11,186' average elevation, low point 7,680' at Ouray, high point 14,048' at Handies Peak.

Recover from the Holiday's FA 50K

The 6th Annual "Recover from the Holiday's FA 50K took place Saturday, January 3rd in the Pittsburgh area on the Boyce/Mayview Trail. 71 people attended this run, including NEO Trail members Bob Combs, Eric Deutsch, Jim Harris, Andy MacGinnitie, and Rich Vrboncic. Click here for a complete run report.

URINEO FA 50

The 3rd Annual URINEO FA 50 Miler took place today in Mill Creek Park (Youngstown, Ohio). This fun run, organized by the NEO Trail Club, starts at the Lily Pond parking lot and is run on an 8.3 mile loop that is primarily all trail. Click here for more info.

18 total runners showed up today, including the following NEO Trail members - Jim Harris, Frank Dwyer, Bob Combs, Eric Deutsch, Greg Murray, Brian Musick, Jeff Musick, Joe Novicky, Kim Love-Ottobre, Rich Vrboncic, Dave Peterman, Lloyd Thomas, and Bruce McIntosh.

MMT Lottery

Yesterday at 4:00 pm the 2009 MMT 100 lottery took place. NEO Trail members that were chosen to participate in next year's event are Roy Heger, Paul Lefelhocz, Brian Musick, and Lloyd Thomas. Those on the waitlist are Bob Combs, Bill Losey, and Dave Peterman.

Slim Pickins FA

On Saturday the following NEO Trail members participated in this year's Slim Pickins FA run... From left to right: Dan Kuzma, Jim Harris, Brian Musick, Kim Love-Ottobre, Bob Combs, Les Martisko, Roy Heger, and Eric Deutsch

Run reports - Brian Musick - Kim Love-Ottobre - Jim Harris