Location: Clinton Lake in Lawrence, KS
Date Run: 4/19/2014, 0800 start
Place: 1 out of 100
Duration: 3:43:25
Average Pace: 8:30
Elevation: ~1000'
Weather: 50-72F
Race Website: http://www.psychowyco.com/id1.html
I've done a handful of trail races in the last several years, and the Free State now ranks among the top. It was somewhat of a last moment decision to commit. I attempted to register online before the deadline but the website was not cooperating. Luckily, the race director Ben had provided his personal number on the race page and assured me I could register in person at packet pickup. He was even kind enough to honor the lower online registration price. Perks of a smaller sized event.
Clinton Lake Trail Network |
The distances offered were a 100k, 40 miler, marathon and a half, all of which were run along trails on the north shore of Clinton Lake. In order to spread the runners out, the ultras started at 0700 while the marathon and half started at 0800. The race started abruptly. Ben essentially said, "We have a great course, it's well marked, marathoners split from the half marathoners early on, rejoin them, and then split off again... sound good? Alright... GO!"
Listening intently to Ben the race director |
The correct route continued along a cross country ski trail for about a mile before suddenly cutting left directly into the woods off trail. The deviation into the woods was well marked by flagging although I'm sure a few runners thought, 'can this be right?' The race director called this character builder "exfoliation". No joke. I was repeatedly clawed by branches and bushes. It was actually kind of invigorating. After briefly bushwhacking, the route led to a single track trail that quickly crossed a stream. This trail looped around rejoining the original split at about mile 3 and continuing along with the half marathon route.
Typical trail segment with flagging. (Image credit: http://runmoretalkless.blogspot.com) |
Running through a woodchuck nest |
Ratings
Race Organization (5=phenomenal, 1=atrocious): 3/5
The start was sudden. Some of the course markings in the beginning were questionable. But for the most part, being an area with a lot of intersecting and interweaving trails, it was remarkably well marked to avoid confusion. There were no mile markers until the very end, making it simultaneously pleasant and painful not knowing where I stood. The aid stations alternated between manned and unmanned. The manned aid stations were fully stocked with HEED, water, gels, candy, fruit, etc. I really liked that runners were required to carry their own hydration containers minimizing waste from once used small cups.
Course Difficulty (5=Pikes Peak Ascent, 1=a flat dirt road): 3/5
The uphill portions were brief and moderately steep. There were a few technical sections, particularly along the Red Trail segment. And the bushwhacking completely off trail was new to me. It was a lot more difficult than I expected but nothing like I've experienced in Colorado.
Course Scenery (5=engagement proposal backdrop, 1=concrete walls): 4/5
A picturesque lake and blooming trees within a clean forested area. The only drawback was the prevalence of close proximity parallel trails interweaving making them feel like they were nearly on top of one another at times.
Schwag (5=a tech T, embroidered towel & warmup pants, 1=a cotton shirt): 4/5
Got a tech tee and... (((drum roll)))... a beer mug. The medal was burly and unique to the marathon distance.
Overall: 4/5
Like I mentioned earlier, one of my favorite trail races despite the early hiccups.