OK, I’ll admit, I scoffed when I first heard about the Barber Beast on the Bay adventure race, primarily because I’m tighter than two coats of paint and was annoyed that the race had a $100 registration fee.

But, after participating in a 3-mile Beast on the Bay trial run on Sunday, I can say with every confidence — it’s going to be worth every freaking buck.

Open up your checkbooks and chalk it up to a good cause (the Barber Center) and one bad@#$ hometown opportunity. This is one race you aren’t going to want to miss.**

First impressions

First impressions count and from their first press conference to the race’s website to this weekend’s trial run (and the very detailed instructions/Parking map/course map we received in advance), race organizers have impressed me wholeheartedly.

These people have their stuff together. This is going to be a first-class race and it’s going to go smoothly and flawlessly. I am in awe of the amount of planning and effort that has already went into this race, a race that is not happening until September, mind you. (Heck, I direct a race a few weeks later and I don’t even have my application done yet).

The very fact that they hosted a test run is testimony to the every-detail-thought-out event that you can expect.  Event organizers wanted to test their registration and bag-drop process, they wanted to make sure the wave times were going to work, and they wanted to try a few of the planned obstacles.

There were more than 50 area runners on Sunday morning who were willing to be the Beast’s guinea pigs.  And, they’ve got the bruised and scraped forearms and bloody knees to prove it.

It’s going to be a beast

Folks, this is going to be a tough race. It is being designed by Erie athlete and former Navy SEAL, John Walker, who, based on my experience yesterday, is not going to go easy on our civilian candy a@#$es.

It’s going to be a challenge. I don’t care if you run 50Ks or 100Ks, running miles on sand and pulling yourself up and over three 10-foot (?) storage boxes with nothing more than a rope and a hand, if you’re lucky, from a strong guy on top, is going to stretch your physical limits.

The little beast trial run

The trial run started at Waldameer. Waves of runners went off every 10 minutes. We ran down to beach no. 1 and were directed onto the sand just after the condos across from Sara’s.  SAND. (Yep…prepare yourself now).  We ran over a few natural obstacles — sand-stick-stone hills, a driftwood-strewn obstacle and up and over at least a half dozen sand mounds.

Then, we came to the metal storage boxes with ropes dangling from the top. Three in a row. And we had to get up and over them — twice  (it was an out and back course). These were definitely the most challenging obstacle on Sunday and they left most runners, including yours truly, with bruised, swelled and bloodied forearms and knees.  Getting down was almost harder than getting up.

If you think I’m complaining, you’ve never done an adventure race.  War wounds are expected and, frankly, I think most participants would be disappointed if they didn’t have bruises to show off and brag about the next day (see my photos below! ) .

The turn around consisted of about 9,567 tires (well, it seemed that way) that you had to high-step it through.

There were water stops, an enthusiastic and crowd-rallying DJ, an entire photo/video crew, a costumed mascot, and a mini party, complete with bananas, granola bars, water, free “Beast on the Bay” tumblers, and beer at the finish line.  And, THAT was just for the “test” run.

The verdict

This is a don’t-miss event if you’re the type who likes a challenge and isn’t afraid to get a little banged up to get your kicks.

Want more opinions?

Ask any of these people who battled the Beast on Sunday.

A few lousy photos

Here are a few photos I took. I’m sure there will be many, many more photos of this event based on the five-man crew Erie photographer, and runner, Rob Frank from Rob Frank Photography had there. UPDATE: There are now 284 photos here.

**  There are a few types of people I’d recommend miss this race: pregnant women, kids, those who aren’t physically fit and/or don’t run, runners who don’t want to get injured (or take the risk of getting injured), and those who are planning to run the Erie Marathon the next week because you will get banged up, bruised and bloodied and one week before your “big race” is a really bad time to do that.

The Bull Dam Trail Run  (at Eaton Reservoir in North East) is back again this year and race director Stephen Haeseler is, once again, offering two distances — a nice, flat, grassy 5K and a more challenging 10K that weaves through the woods.

From the Bull Dam Trail Run website:

Seems there was nothing normal about racing this weekend.

While some runners were getting down and dirty over in nearby Bemus Point, New York, and others were going long (very, very long) in Titusville, still more runners were dodging “zombies” in Frontier Park.

Photo by Mike Conway for GoErie.com

Zombie Run 5K

Looks like the Erie Playhouse had another hit on it’s hands with Saturday morning’s Zombie Run 5K in Frontier Park. There were 159 5K finishers, but I don’t think that includes the Zombies who were making it hard for the runners to get to the finish line with all their brains (flags) intact.

There are results here, but Jim Lang from Big White Trailer warns:

“More than a few folks went off course, so take results as information, please. This does NOT affect brains collected or saved.”

You’ll definitely want to check out Mike Conway’s GoErie Street View albums from this race: The Making of Zombies and the Zombie 5K run.

Judging by all the flags in the hands of those zombies, it looks like some of the “undead” can haul ass, eh?

Muddy Viking

The Muddy Viking, a 4-mile adventure run, in nearby Bemus Point, N.Y., gave whole new meaning to the phrase down-and-dirty as the very last obstacle had runners (including yours truly) belly crawling through 1-foot thick cold mud. We also ran through Lake Chautuaqua (twice), flew down two homemade slip-n’slides, crawled over smashed pumpkin goo, climbed several walls and barriers, and slogged through the “cess pool” — a thigh-high, super-smelly pass through a rotting marsh.

I’ll give a full report in a separate post, but for now, suffice to say there were a total of 21 obstacles — some easy, some tough, some fun, some not so fun, some very dirty, some very cold. Suffice to say, it was a freaking blast.  I would do it again in a heart beat — yes, even on a 32 degree day again!

There are results for those who chose to get a chip (it was optional).  Most participants were there to have fun and, really, I can’t imagine how accurate the results could be since there’s no way of knowing who did all the obstacles and who went around them, you know? But…for what it’s worth…here are the Individual & Team results.

OC100 Trail Runs

While the rest of us were out there having “fun,” there were a couple hundred very serious runners taking on the trails and hills in Titusville at the OC 100 Trail Runs.  There were three divisions — the 100 mile run, the  100K run and the 50K run.

I know that several Erie runners went the distance in OC this weekend, including: Dan Young, Linda Young, Suze Carstarter, Karen Manganaro, Julia Roussos, Patrick Krott, Chris Coulston, and  Christine Kalie.

I’m in awe of them all.

Results are here.

Penn State Behrend’s Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society (ODK) is hosting a 5K race Three Miles for Smiles on Sunday October 21, 2012 (11 a.m. at the Behrend Fields) to raise money for Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org/about_us). Operation Smile is an organization that performs surgeries for children with cleft palates and lips, and facial deformities.

You can register by visiting this website:  http://tinyurl.com/3miles4smiles. If you pre-register by October 12^th the cost is $15 (due the day of the race) and your t-shirt will be provided at the race. The day-of-race-registration cost is $20 and your t-shirt order will be placed at the race.

I did a little Q&A with one of the race organizers, Krishna Kulkarni:

What is the course? Is it a cross country race?

The Penn State Behrend Fields Cross Country Course, and yes, it’s a CC course.

2. How many typically participate?

This is our second time running the event and we’re anticipating 30-50 runners.

3. Is it timed? Who is timing it?

The race will be timed and by students, not a professional.

4. Are there awards?

No, but we are attempting to get a small reward/plaque for the fastest three.

5. What do the shirts look like? Color? Do you have the design yet?

We’re still waiting for a picture of the t-shirt from SilkScreens Unlimited but the shirt will be light blue with white lettering.

6. Where, exactly, should runners meet?

In the Erie Parking Lot on the right past the tennis courts.

7. Can they register day of race? Where?

They can register the day of the race for $20 at the softball field concession stand, but we are offering a reduced cost of $15 for those who register in advance before October 12th at this link: (http://www.tinyurl.com/3miles4smiles)

8. Why should people do this race?

Our run/walk is to raise money for Operation Smile, an organization that performs surgeries for children with cleft palates and lips, and facial deformities. It costs $240 per surgery, please help us make a difference by joining our cause to fund as many surgeries (Smiles) as possible!

Today, the Erie Times-News had a nice Q&A with Titusville native Katie Peterson who is set to compete in the OC 100 Trail Run this weekend.

Her story — from 265 lbs to running 100-milers — is quite inspiring; read it here.

I wrote a story for the Erie Times-News (Sun., Sept. 30) outlining three great walks in the Erie region, which would, of course, make great running destinations, too.

The three locations I highlighted were: The Wintergreen Gorge in Harborcreek, the Howard Eaton Reservoir in North East, and Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview.

Read the whole the story here.

Nearly 60 people competed in the inaugural Taking it To the Trails Howard Eaton Reservoir Runs this weekend, with even numbers of participants in the 5K and 10K.

Top honors in each:

10K 1st place Male: Jim Samuels, 49, 41:04

10K 1st place Female: Julie Pero, 28, 54:52

5K 1st Place Male: Ryan Smathers, 35,  with a 19:40

5K 1st Place Female: Shelley Hull, 39, with a 23:38

Complete results can be found here.

Using the clues in that headline up there, can you guess the location of a cool new Erie county race?

Go ahead. Think about it. I’ll wait….

(whistle)

(whistle)

(whistle)

Need a hint?  The key words are “dam” and “bull.”

That’s right — Bull’s Dam, otherwise known by it’s “proper” (and way less fun) name, the Eaton Reservoir, in North East, is the setting for a couple of fun trail races — a grassy, flat 5K or a challenging 10K through the woods for experienced trail runners— on Sunday, Sept. 2nd (9 a.m.).

Dan & I love the Eaton Reservoir and frequently walk the dogs (and kids) around it. It’s a peaceful hidden gem in the East county. It’s the kind of place you can let your dog run off leash without anyone getting their panties in a bunch (though, um, don’t bring dogs to the race, K?).

Dan, Kelly, and Sammy (who, if he did come, would totally smoke ALL of you) running at the Eaton Reservoir. (No, Dan doesn’t usually run in jean shorts, they were running to catch up with me because I am impatient and they were taking too long getting out of the car. I wait for no one.)

The 5K course follows this path around the water. (How about that intense look on Dan’s face? I’ll give you a glimpse into his mind — this is a looooong walk with a couple of kids).

I recently caught up with Eaton Reservoir Trail Runs race director Stephen Haeseler to ask him a few questions about the race:

1. Is this the first year for this run?

Yes, and this is the first race I know of that has ever been held at the Howard Eaton Reservoir (Also known as Bull Dam).

2. Why did you want to do this run? Are you a runner?

I love all the sports of the triathlon. I love to ride to this location run and ride back. Sort of a mini-brick.

3. Why did you choose the location you did?

This is not a common area for recreation. Almost all major races are at PI and I wanted to see if the races could be run on the east end of Erie County. Much like Dan Pierce, the Erie Triathlon Club and James McMaster ran the Race to the Peak.

4. This is cross-country, right, i.e. grass, rocks, mud?

The 5 K course is an old Cross country course from some of the NY schools. The 5 k course is mostly grass and or gravel. It is very flat.

The 10K course is through woods and on small paths, where you have to jump logs, duck limbs fight branches etc. It is much more for an experienced trail runner. Footing can be challenging.  Depending on the time of year it can be very muddy. This year, there’s not much mud, but it will still be challenging.

5. What color is the shirt?

We have Forest Green shirts with Yellow ink.

6. Who will benefit from the race?

I am active with the North East St. Gregory’s Boy Scout Troop. They benefit for their efforts as race volunteers.

7. Why should people do this race ?

It is a great intro to trail running. If all you have done before is asphalt, this is a great switch. Perhaps the sport of trail running will become more popular.

8. Is the race timed? The race is timed Who is doing the timing?

The bigwhitetrailer.com is responsible for the timing. Jim Lang has graciously agreed to work with us as we develop our course and we are gearing up for next year already.

10. Are there awards?

Because it is the first year, we will only be giving finishers prizes to the first male and female in the 5K and 10K.  We are limited to what we can offer by the number of participants this year. Next year it will be bigger and better!

11. Anything else I should include?

This is the inaugural running of this race. We’re very excited to do it & really hope to grow it every year.

Ready to hit the trails? Race registration, application & info here.

Questions? E-mail Stephen.

Don’t forget tomorrows’ TNRL (Tuesday Night Race League) run is in my neck of the woods in the Wintergreen Gorge at Penn State Behrend. Race starts at the bottom of Cooper Hill — then you will run up & back down. There will be a 2 mile & 4-mile course. Starts at 7 p.m.

Word to the wise — wear your old running shoes.

More details here.

Erie ~ Yesterday, the Erie County Department of Health & VisitErie have put together a fun program to get people moving (kids, too!) this summer.  Let’s Move Outside! encourages area residents to get outside and explore 10 trails throughout Erie County.

“It’s an innovative program promoting healthy living and physical activity through the use of public art, local history and outdoor recreation.”

It works like this:  You register at www.letsmoveoutside.org. Then, you walk, run or bike the 10 trails and find the artist-designed marker along the trail. Write the ten-digit pass key you’ll find on the marker into your passport (don’t forget a pencil/pen). Log on & enter the passkey as you complete each trail. When you do all 10, you’ll be automatically registered for a grand prize (including a mountain bike).

The program runs June 1 through October 20 and the trail locations range from Corry to North East to Girard and Union City, among others.

The Lets Move Outdoors passport gives you all the details you need — the trail location, distance, history and more.

Passports are available at: Erie County’s Public Libraries, the YMCA of Greater Erie and its branches, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, VisitErie, Erie Yesterday’s member historical societies and museums, and the offices of Harborcreek Township, Fairview Township, North East Chamber of Commerce, Corry Area Chamber of Commerce, Asbury Woods Nature Center, Girard Borough and Washington Township.

Complete rules & more info here. (They have a  Facebook page, too.)

I hope you’ll all support this really cool effort to promote physical activity in an entertaining & educational way.

Kids would love to do this — looking for markers, discovering the codes, etc.  It would be a great summer adventure for families or grandparents!