Backpack Trail Race at East Fork Lake State Park-Recap
The Backpack Trail Race is Cincinnati's Oldest Trail Race and part of the Dirt Days Trail Series put on by Bob Roncker's Running Spot. It is also unique race in that it attempts to have all the runners finish at the same time as each runner is handicapped based on age, sex(male or female), and performance in other races from the Dirt Trail Series. The slower that you are, the earlier you start and the faster that you are the later that you start. Typically they alter the course from year to year as you run one direction one year and the opposite direction the following year. In 2010, they decided to add an 11.7 mile trail run(just do the loop one more time) without the handicap start in addition to the 5.4 mile race that still featured the handicap. About 75 people participated in the 5.4 mile and 70 did the 11.7 mile trail run. The uphill start killed me along with the heat, humidity, and of course more hills. Fortunately, I did not fall and they gave me a better handicap than last year. The postrace food was once again done by the Unwritten Chef. The setup for 2010 was a little different as race organizers were unable to get the shelter at East Fork for 2010 so they had registration, post race, and awards closer to the start. For about 15 minutes, I wondered where the postrace food was as I could see the drink. I noticed bags in the blue bins and grabbed one. The food was in there and it had a 3 cheese turnover and fruit salad with zucchini which was quite good. To see complete results or net times, go to www.runningtime.net.