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.

Pictorial of the YUTC Course

Mill Creek Park was established in 1891 by Volney Rogers, a Youngstown attorney. It is the second largest metropolitian park in the United States.

The Parapet Bridge, constructed in 1913, is located on the east side of Lake Glacier in Mill Creek Park. Architect and landscape designer Julius Schweinfurth created this striking masterpiece of massive upright boulders and a graceful arch. From the four viewing platforms, visitors can look east to Spring Brook Ravine and west to Lake Glacier.

You will be running under the bridge and to your left,with Lake Glacier on your right.

A blurry pic of the approach to the infamous Love Log.

 

After the Love Log, a little run on the rest of the  Monkey Trails, up Rainbow Hill, back into woods, across Pinball Ridge and down to the road.

 

Hop across the road and back next to the water, heading for the Covered Bridge and Lanterman's Mill.

When you see the beginning of the boardwalk, you are approaching Lanternman's Mill and the Covered Bridge, where the Aid Station will be set up.

At the end of the 18th century the land surrounding a beautiful, natural waterfall, now known as Lanterman's Falls, belonged to John Young, founder of Youngstown.
The first mill was built of logs from the site. Millstones were cut from granite boulders found in the area of what is now Fifth Avenue at Rayen Avenue. This mill operated from 1799 to 1822.

In 1823 the original mill was replaced by a second mill. Built by Eli Baldwin, this frame structure served only as a gristmill. Baldwin's mill operated until 1843 when a flood washed it away. A grinding stone from this mill can still be seen resting in the creekbed 500 feet downstream of the Falls.

The current frame structure was built in 1845-46 by German Lanterman and his brother-in-law Samuel Kimberly. German and his wife Sally Ann owned a large tract of land around the Falls. Lanterman's Mill was the third mill constructed at the Falls and was used solely as a gristmill.

Lanterman's Mill was restored over a three year period, from 1982 to 1985. 

You will then cross the Covered Bridge, where the Aid Station will be set up.

 

After you cross the Covered Bridge you will be running down the south side of the course, beside Lake Newpoort.

This is the southern end of the YUTC race course, around Lake Newport.

After you round the bottom end of Lake Newport, there is just one section of road to encounter, just less than one mile.

After you have crossed the Covered Bridge and started on the east side of the course, you will come across the Suspenion Bridge.

The Suspension Bridge, located on Valley Drive, was erected in 1895 and spans Mill Creek connecting the east and west sides of the park. Following the wishes of Volney Rogers to create fanciful park entrances, Charles Fowler of the Youngstown Bridge Company designed the structure.

Pioneer Pavilion, is one of the oldest structures in Youngstown, Ohio. Constructed in 1821, this sandstone building served as a mill for carding and fulling wool. The building was later used as a storeroom for the nearby Mill Creek Furnace, then remodeled for party use in 1893. In 1894, the woolen mill was officially named Pioneer Pavilion to honor its pioneer history.

The flagpole is a new addition at Pioneer Pavilion, dedicated 2011 to Gary L Nilsson.

This would be the view as you come out of the woods and make the left turn back down the drive to the Start/Finish Line at the Log Cabin.