50K events are no problem for hardy runners

While most of us were running a few quick miles around the neighborhood last Saturday, or running indoors on a warm treadmill, there were about seventy-five more hardy souls out running a bit more than a few miles at the Watchung Reservation. Distances of 10 miles, 26.2 miles, or 50 kilometers were their targets.

As you may have figured out, these people are part of the group known as trail runners with an urge to run endlessly thrown in. That urge is satisfied by events like the one at the reservation that is part of a growing phenomenon known as Fat Ass races.

The name comes from the admonition to "get off your fat ass and go run". The point of the events, although they are timed, is not so much about racing as they are about the camaraderie of being with a group of like minded people who just enjoy getting out and running on trails.

The hallmark of a Fat Ass event is that there is no entry fee. There is also no T-shirt and no one manning a water stop for you. In general you bring your own water, or at least bring your own cup. At the Watchung event water jugs were set out but the runners needed to have their own receptacles to drink from. If a runner wanted a post run refreshment, he had better bring his own. Fat Ass races are the ultimate no frills races.

If you recall, last Saturday was cold with a smattering of snow flurries in the morning that began to seriously accumulate late in the day. The race was organized by Rick McNulty of Mt. Tabor who wasn't going to let a little snow stop him.

"The race was going on no matter what," said McNulty. "It didn't matter to me if there was 18 inches of snow or freezing rain sideways, I was going to be up there putting the race on."

They used the Watchung Sierra Trail that covers about 10 miles of roughly the perimeter of the reservation. McNulty marked some key points to help the runners navigate but mostly they needed only to follow the reservation markings to stay on course.

"It was a loop course, and as they came through they had to check in," said McNulty. "And tell me when they were done, so that nobody was left on course."

Some runners ran only one 10-mile loop while others completed 26.2 miles. The hardiest stayed on the trail despite the increasing snowfall that was making it treacherous underfoot. More than one runner fell and at least one is known to have broken a rib when he crashed.

Although there are no awards, the event was timed, and Barry Lass of Cedar Knolls was is credited with the fastest time on the full 50K, finishing in 5:15:40. Next in was Byran Magnus of Morristown whose time was 5:18:30. Mark Nyhan also of Morristown survived a fall to finish third in 5:54:00.

McNulty ran two of the 10-mile loops and then waited to make sure that all the runners came in. Because of the snow and the increasingly treacherous trail, the later runners were coming in slower and slower. McNulty expected the field to be in and done much sooner than they were. But unlike a normal road race, with no awards, no post run party, the event was over when it was over.

"I waited for the last person, who came in in eight hours and two minutes," said McNulty. "Pretty much by eight hours and 15 minutes I was in my car and driving away."

Did the long day discourage his budding race director ambitions? Not a bit. He is organizing a 100 kilometer trail run that will be held at South Mountain Reservation on Saturday, May 30th. You can check it out at http://sites.google.com/site/southmtn100k/Home.

Although it will be a true Fat Ass event with no entry fee, McNulty has attracted a sponsor, the Sneaker Factory in Millburn. Owner Mike Conforti has noticed the trend toward trail races and has added more trail shoes to his sneaker line-up.

"I would like to start planning some other trail races that people would be able to do in the New Jersey area," said McNulty. "I want to put on longer races, 10 miles, half marathon, marathons and 50K's."

He may be on to something. Fifty runners have already signed up for the South Mountain race.

Race Results can often be found at www.compuscore.com or at www.bestrace.com. A calendar of USATF sanctioned events can be found at www.usatfnj.org or at www.raceforum.com for running and tri and biathlon events.Contact Madeline Bost at madelinebost@verizon.net.