Aid information
Barring unforeseen restrictions there will be full aid at the manned aid station; in addition the listed drops in the woods will provide at least water and electrolyte.
SUMMARY: Mile 5 (drop), 11 (drop), 13 (manned), 16 (manned), 20 (drop), 23 (drop), 26 (manned), 28 (drop), 31 (your car), 37 (your car), 41 (drop), 47 (drop)
(see pink/purple markings on course maps for wider scale view of locations. Descriptions and close up pictures are found below)
MANNED AID STATION AT MILES 13/16/26
Located across the street from the park headquarters and stable at the crosswalk. This station will be "crowd-sourced"- you bring your assigned aid item. You are also allowed a drop bag here... please no large items. Stocked with medical, food, water, and electrolyte.
FLUID DROPS:
Rte 28 crossing (miles 5/11/28): Located about 25 m west of Route 28 where the Skyline trail crosses. Two main trails intersect here at right angles, with Skyline running E-W and a wide path running N-S parallel to Route 28. Aid is dropped by the trees in the SE corner of this intersection.
Trailside museum parking lot (mile 20): The course crosses about 10 yards of the parking lot at the corner before heading toward the zoo. The aid is dropped just after you cross the corner of the lot on the other side of the low, thick wood rail/barrier… across from the restrooms and next to the stream.
Low spot on large loop (mile 23): On the course, this drop is in a small group of trees just after you pass the wettest spot paralleling Hillside St., (often a very slow moving "stream." ). It is about 10 m before you get to Coon Hollow Path. The best way to access this spot and stay dry is to park at a gate about 100 m to the East (toward the pond) on the main road and walk in along a wide, flat path. In a very dry year, you can get a little closer (maybe 60m) by driving a bit further West and pulling up at the very end of the wide shoulder next to the open area (about 30 m before the stop sign for Blue HIlls River Rd.) and walking in across the "wet" spot.
Chickatawbut crossing (mile
41/47)... also passed at mile 9 but no aid allowed at that time! The course comes to a “Y” heading north just before it gets to Chickatawbut Road. The spot is easily visible from the road and vice versa… about 50 yards straight in from the road. At mile 41, the course follows the left fork. The course also passes from the same direction at mile 9, taking the right fork. At mile 47 it comes from the road in the opposite direction of your passing at mile 9.
YOUR CAR (Miles 31/37, must be parked in Houghton's Pond lot): For 50 mile runners, your car is an official aid station at miles 31 and 37. NOTE: 50K runners can go to their cars instead of the aid station, but it will cost you distance and time.
