Dear Stoneheads and Bark-Eaters, with these new and unusual times, the Disorganizers of the Thom Bugliosi Trail Runs are pleased to bring you the rites of spring once again, such as they can be celebrated. With approval from the NYS DEC and the Friends of Hammond Hill, plus support from the Hammond Hill Social Club, Mister Hector and Mister Eckshonn invite you all to follow the traditional course – at your own risk – and submit your run time and course notes to our Unofficial Thom B. 2020 Results page for publication.
DETAILS!
From May 1st (or whenever you find trail marks) through the scheduled race date of May 18th, you are welcome to run 13K, 26K, or 42K to welcome the return of the flowers, find your peace upon the trail, and run in memory of those whose lives are cut too short too soon. Markings will be set with red arrow signs, orange and pink surveyor flags, and possibly orange/pink surveyor tape – any other markings, if any, should be ignored. If you go for more than a few hundred yards and don’t see flags, you probably blew a turn and should backtrack.
The 13K and 26K are simply one or two loops of the course. As before, the 42K is 3 loops plus a ‘baby loop’ that repeats the ascent from Camp Earth Connection up Blue 1, then Left on Yellow 6 and back down Y1 to the start/finish. Signage will be posted at the intersection of the Yellow and Blue trails.
DIRECTIONS!
Course maps and trail notices will be posted at major trailheads. You may start at the traditional spot on Hammond Hill Road outside the Camp Earth Connection gate – no traipsing inside, please, though you are welcome to book lodging with them directly if available. If the main parking lot is full, you may also choose to start at the top of the Canaan Road intersection on Star Stanton, or on the Red Man Run roundabout at the entrance to the Red 1 trail, which is accessible via Canaan Road (off Harford Road coming from Slaterville or Dryden). Simply follow the course from your start point, and don’t forget the ‘baby loop’ if you’re going for The Full Experience™.
If you would like to avail yourself of secondary parking, do note that these access roads are unpaved, so low-slung cars may wish to avoid these. Do not take Hammond Hill Road from the east unless you have a worthy off-road vehicle – there is a good reason for the “STAY OUT” sign posted off Harford Road – you may end up leaving a trail of car parts or a swamped car deep in the woods.
STEWARDSHIP!
Those of you who are familiar with the course, please let the Disorganizers know if markings have been displaced, or simply reset the flags if you feel comfortable.
The Friends of Hammond Hill have published a trail use survey, which is being shared with NYS DEC and the NY Assembly. $18-20 million per year is made off timber sales, none of which goes back to taking care of the forests. Trail use is noticeably up, and maintenance of our outdoor playgrounds is largely left to volunteers. Please fill out the survey, whether or not you participate. Check it out for more details: http://canaaninstitute.org/bikeskiblog/timbermoneyfortrails-trail-use-survey-hammond-hill-ny-state-forest/
Since this undertaking is not under the auspices of the Finger Lakes Runners Club nor any other organization, please take due precautions as with any outdoor activity. Familiarize yourself with the course, check posted maps, and bring a charged phone and any needed supplies. Getting lost, injured, or dying out there is highly discouraged (though we hear the bark and leaves are quite tasty this time of year) – whatever happens, it’s your own fault.
We hear physical distancing is a thing these days, so please don’t lick the squirrels, squeeze the horses, cuddle the foxes, or kiss the mountain bikers, and give everyone plenty of space.
RESULTS!
Once your thirst for the outdoors is satiated, feel free to post your results and trail notes here – we will publish them on our website – it’s on the honor system, but we’ll know if you’re making things up. Check in at https://forms.gle/Bf3dUbq2Pk9sF7xZ9
Yours on happy trails, looking forward to happier times ahead –
~Mr. Hector, with Mr. Eckshonn for the
Unofficial Thom Bugliosi Trail Runs 2020