Mason-Dixon Equinox Challenges

The next equinox run is in fall 2024. Date TBA. Similar format as the previous equinox run:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QLq7Bs9p2hdHHu83oJ5oQwU6aZlu-g_L?usp=sharing


MDFE: The Mason-Dixon Trail Fall Equinox 50K Challenge

A super low-key Trail Dawgs celebration of the fall equinox since 2021


MDSE: The Mason-Dixon Trail Spring Equinox 50K Challenge

A super low-key Trail Dawgs celebration of the spring equinox since 2022


An out-and-back on the most scenic and challenging section of the Mason-Dixon Trail, with options for shorter distances too.  Start at sunrise, finish by sunset. Organized by the Trail Dawgs as a self-supported run: only water provided (drop bag is an option), no crew. Free.

Organizers: Luc Claessens, and Roxanne and Dave Strine

Contact: Luc Claessens - lodevicus.claessens@gmail.com

2024 Spring Equinox Run

2023 Fall Equinox Run

2023 Spring Equinox Run

2022 Fall Equinox Run

2022 Spring Equinox Run

2021 Fall Equinox Run

Spring 2024 Results

March 17, 2024

Sunrise: 7:13 am

Sunset: 7:15 pm

The Challenge: 12 hours and 2 minutes daylight time limit


Report:

Thanks all for a successful Mason-Dixon Trail Equinox Run and congratulations to all the runners who toed the line! What a beautiful day it was. 14 runners completed the 50K sunrise to sunset challenge. Congratulations to first place winners Chris Baumer and Kate Sidoli! Special recognition to Juliet Kinsley on her first 50K. 10 runners finished the one-way 25K. Congratulations to first place winners Justin Reed and Shobha Sidigonde! We would like to thank everyone who helped make this run possible, including the Mason-Dixon Trail System and their fantastic volunteers, and Trail Dawgs. A special thank you to Carly Kearns for transporting runners and helping at the aid station, to Steve Prescott for making a special trip to help with transportation, and to co-organizers Roxanne and Dave Strine for arranging the finish line feast and for clearing blowdowns. Again, congratulations all! Let’s do this again in 6 months!


50K finishers:


25K one-way:


Fun runs:

Dustin Briggs (M39), 5:09, 16M (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Safe Harbor Dam view)

Logan Hutton (M32), 5:09, 16M (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Safe Harbor Dam view)

Cassandra Lizza (F43), 9:35, 27M (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Otter Creek)

Michaele Rayburn (F52), 7:09, 26M (50K DNF, stopped at Boyd Rd)

Dave Strine (M68), 2:50, 8M (Bare Rd to Apollo Park)


Intermediate times 50K finishers:

Fall 2023 Results

September 17, 2023

Sunrise: 6:48 am

Sunset: 7:11 pm

The Challenge: 12 hours and 23 minutes daylight time limit


Report: 

Thanks all for another great Mason-Dixon Trail Equinox Run!  Congratulations to all the runners, especially those new to this fun section of the M-DT.  The theme for this fall edition was … fall weather.  Cool temperatures meant fast times, and even rain showers later in the day did not seem to slow the runners down much.  11 runners completed the 50K Challenge. Congratulations to first place winners Ian Maffett and Emma Dixon!  Ian set a new course record(!), and for Emma it was her first time on the M-DT.  8 runners did a variety of fun runs, including the 25K point-to-point. We want to thank everyone who helped make this run possible, including the Mason-Dixon Trail System and their fantastic volunteers, Shank’s Mare Outfitters, Otter Creek Campground, and TrailDawgs. And a special thank you to Jeff Kearns for helping with shuttle and the aid station, and to co-organizers Roxanne and Dave Strine for food at aid station and finish and for always keeping the trail super well maintained. Again, congratulations all! Let’s do this again in 6 months.


50K finishers:

1. Ian Maffett (M41), 6:38

2. Zach Geiple (M40), 7:46

3. Thomas Haine (M56), 8:48

4. Beto Magana (M51), 8:49*

5. Ben Wickham (M55), 8:59

6. Anthony Romano (M39), 9:02

7. Steve Prescott (M59), 9:33

8. Emma Dixon (F28), 10:50

9. Kurt Foster (M45), 11:16

10. Meaghan McElroy (F46), 11:16

11. Stephen Waniak (M36), 11:16

* adjusted finish time (navigation mistake)


Fun runs:

Andrew Houck (M33), 5:12, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

Cassandra Lizza (F43), 2:05, 5 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Green Branch)

David Long (M48), 4:38, 18 miles (Shank's Mare to turnaround to Otter Creek)

Peter McLaughlin (M61), 3:32, 10 miles (Apollo Park to turnaround to Furnace Rd)

Jakob Sinclair (M43), 7:04, 26 miles (50K DNF, stopped at Boyd Rd)

Roxanna Strine (F68), 8:08, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

David Strine (M68), 8:08, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

Tom Waltman (M44), 8:08, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)


Intermediate times 50K finishers:

Spring 2023 Results

March 19, 2023

Sunrise: 7:11 am

Sunset: 7:16 pm

The Challenge: 12 hours and 5 minutes daylight time limit


Report: 

Thank you all for coming out to the 2023 Mason-Dixon Trail Spring Equinox Run!  It was such a beautiful sunny winter day.  Congratulations, especially those of you were there for the first time and had no idea what to expect!  10 runners completed the 50K Challenge. Congratulations to first place winners Ian Maffett and Sophorn Choup! 17 did a variety of fun runs and hikes, including the 25K point-to-point and various out-and-back distances, with 2 runners almost completing the 50K Challenge. We would like to thank everyone who helped make the equinox run possible, including the Mason-Dixon Trail System and their fantastic volunteers (Roxanne and Dave Strine in particular!), Shank’s Mare Outfitters, and TrailDawgs/PHUNT.  And a special thank you to George Maffett (Ian’s dad) for helping with shuttle and aid station.  Again, congratulations! Let’s do this again in 6 months.


50K finishers:

1. Ian Maffett (M41), 7:37

2. Zach Geiple (M40), 7:38

3. Beto Magana (M50), 8:18

4. Jimmy Rayburn (M61), 8:55

5. Sophorn Choup (F43), 8:58

6. Pete Fisher (M55), 8:58

7. Ryan Vandenberg (M41), 9:40

8. Norm Bittner (M52), 9:54

9. Ken Campbell (M57), 10:00

10. Bob Law (M54), 10:46


Fun runs:

Timothy Claessens (M14), 1:15, 7 miles (Bare Rd to Apollo Park)

Myriam Crosman (F41), 7:19, 20 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to just past Apollo Park)

Wayne Duncan (M59), 11:04, 29 miles (almost finished 50K, stopped at Greenbranch Rd)

Angela Hayes (F53), 6:17, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

Andrew Houck (M32), 6:01, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

Jeff Kearns (M47), 8:44, 29 miles (almost finished 50K, stopped at Greenbranch Rd)

Ryan Leppo (M41), 7:05, 25 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Urey Overlook)

Brad Mackie (M42), 5:29, 17 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Safe Harbor Dam view)

Julia Martin (F32), 6:01, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

Rachel Rosenblatt (F53), out-and-back Shank's Mare to stegosaurus

Andrew Slavik (M34), 8:54, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare (hiking))

Roxanna Strine (F68), 7:24, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

David Strine (M67), 7:24, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

Florin Tencariu (M48), 4:37, 13 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Wilson Run)

Joanna Vickers (F47), 7:11, 20 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to just past Apollo Park)

Diana Widdowson (F56), 5:54, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare)

Vickie Wyatt (F36), 8:54, 25K (Bare Rd to Shank's Mare (hiking))


Intermediate times 50K finishers:

Fall 2022 Results

September 18, 2022

Sunrise: 6:50 am

Sunset: 7:10 pm

The Challenge: 12 hours and 20 minutes daylight time limit


Report: 

The weather was again perfect for the 2022 Mason-Dixon Trail Equinox 50K Challenge.  Congratulations to all the runners! This is a tough course and you did it! Congratulations to first place winners Jakob Sinclair and Sophorn Choup!  Of the 9 runners who set out to do the sunrise to sunset 50K challenge, five runners completed the challenge (Jakob, Matt, Sophorn, Kate and Michael) and two runners (Tom and Kevin) finished the 50K shortly after sunset. Two runners (Alicia and Keila) decided that one crossing of stegosaurus was plenty for the day, and joined Roxanne and Henriette running to Lock 12.  Pete started later in the day and ran an out-and-back to ledger rock, and Luc and Timothy ran a couple “fun” sections in between handling water drops. The 50K had some very fast times, even by some who had never run before on this section of the MDT. Impressive. There were some of the usual reports of extra miles, but luckily no one got too far off course. Unfortunately, there was some yellow jacket activity and several runners got stung, and one runner required urgent medical attention but thankfully everything turned out fine. We would like to thank everyone who helped us make the equinox run possible, including the Mason-Dixon Trail System organization and their fantastic volunteers, Otter Creek Campground, Shank’s Mare Outfitters, and TrailDawgs/PHUNT.  Again, congratulations runners! Let’s do this again next year.


50K finishers:

1. Jakob Sinclair (M42), 8:18

2. Matt Forshaw (M39), 8:48

3. Sophorn Choup (F43), 9:20

4. Kate Sidoli (F45), 11:41

5. Michael Wilson (M44), 11:41

6. Tom Waltman (M43), 12:55

7. Kevin Zuech (M44), 12:55


Fun runs:

Henriette Blodgett (F46), 9:18, 25 miles (Shank’s Mare to Lock 12)

Luc Claessens (M57), 4:10, 12 miles (various sections)

Timothy Claessens (M13), 4:10, 12 miles (various sections)

Alicia Hare (F42), 9:18, 25 miles (Shank’s Mare to Lock 12)

Keila de Jesus (F45), 9:18, 25 miles (Shank’s Mare to Lock 12)

Peter Mc Laughlin (M60), 5:04, 9 miles (out-and-back Shank’s Mare to ledger rock)

Roxanna Strine (F67), 9:18, 25 miles (Shank’s Mare to Lock 12)


Intermediate times 50K finishers:

Spring 2022 Results

March 13, 2022

Sunrise: 7:32 am

Sunset: 7:22 pm

The Challenge: 11 hours and 50 minutes daylight time limit


Report: 

The 2022 Mason-Dixon Trail Spring Equinox 50K Challenge was absolutely magical!  Winter wonderland, Mother Nature at her best. I am so happy that many of you came out after Saturday’s winter storm. Congratulations to all the runners!  This is a tough course, and the snow made it even more challenging. You all were amazing! We had a total of 11 runners who ran the full 50K, completing the sunrise to sunset challenge. Congratulations to first place winners Zach Geiple and Melissa Morland! And we also had 11 runners who did a variety of fun runs. A huge THANK YOU to Jason Logue of RunPA for hosting an aid station at Apollo Park, bringing some great trail magic to this event. And thank you Carly Kearns for helping us with transportation. Let’s do this again in the fall.


50K finishers:

1. Zach Geiple (M39), 8:17

2. Melissa Morland (F46), 9:44

3. Gary Wenczel (M43), 9:44

4. David Wood (M59), 9:49

5. Ryan Vandenberg (M40), 10:21

6. Julia Lipeles (F47), 11:08

7. Angie Cress (F35), 11:19

8. Kurt Foster (M43), 11:27

9. Michael Wilson (M44), 11:27

10. Bob Law (M53), 11:40

11. Charles Lipeles (M52), 11:49


Fun runs:

Hunt Bartine (M69), 6:07, 14 miles (Shank’s Mare to Otter Creek campground)

Luc Claessens (M56), 8 miles (various sections)

Timothy Claessens (M13), 8 miles (various sections)

Andrew Foerster (M34), 6:19, 18 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Apollo Park)

Angela Hayes (F52), 10:00, 20 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to just past Apollo Park)

Jeff Kearns (M46), 9:49, 29 miles (almost finished 50K, stopped at Greenbranch Rd)

Anna Kim (F34), 10:35, 20 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to just past Apollo Park)

Julia Martin (F31), 4:03, 9 miles (Apollo Park to Shank's Mare)

Peter McLaughlin (M59), 1:55, 8 miles (out-and-back Urey Overlook to turnaround point)

Paul Shaner (M43), 3:41, 8 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Cuffs Run)

Roxanna Strine (F67), 5:18, 12 miles (Urey Overlook to Shank's Mare)


Intermediate times 50K finishers:

Fall 2021 Results

September 26, 2021

Sunrise: 6:57 am

Sunset: 6:56 pm

The Challenge: 11 hours and 59 minutes daylight time limit


Report: 

What an absolutely stunning day we had for the inaugural 2021 Mason-Dixon Trail Fall Equinox 50K Challenge!  We could not have asked for better weather. Congratulations to all the runners!  This is one of the most challenging sections on the M-DT, but so rewarding for its beauty.  It was a fun day. And records were set. Congratulations to first place winners Zach Geiple and Julia Lipeles! Let’s do this again next year.


50K finishers:

1. Zach Geiple (M38), 7:42

2. Ben Nalette (M30), 9:05

3. Rick Palmer (M51), 10:08

4. Ryan Vandenberg (M40), 10:14

5. Julia Lipeles (F46), 11:18


Fun runs:

Luc Claessens (M56), 11 miles (various sections)

Timothy Claessens (M12), 11 miles (various sections)

Peter McLaughlin (M59), 12 miles (out-and-back Apollo Park to turnaround point)

Bryan Turner (M43), 20 miles (out-and-back Shank's Mare to Apollo Park, plus extra miles)


Intermediate times 50K finishers: