Mason-Dixon Shortest Day Challenge

MDSD: The Mason-Dixon Trail Shortest Day Challenge

A super low-key Trail Dawgs celebration of the winter solstice since 2012

Come on out with your trail friends and run 50k++, Marathon, or Create Your Own Little Fun Run on the the shortest Sunday of the year!

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Sunrise: 7:25 am

Sunset: 4:45 pm

The Challenge: 9 hours and 20 minutes daylight time limit

2024 Results

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Sunrise: 7:25 am

Sunset: 4:45 pm

The Challenge: 9 hours and 20 minutes daylight time limit

50k++ Distance, Shanks Mare Store to Cold Cabin Park (36 miles)

1. Andrew Simpson, 5:28  

2. Dave McLaughlin, 6:42 

3. Zach Zander, 7:03 

4. James Weaver, 7:11 

5. Adam Moore, 7:50 

6. Ben Linne, 8:22 

6. Ray Smith, 8:22 

8. Toby Ehrbaker, 8:29 

8. Rachel Slusher, 8:29 

8. Ginn White, 8:29 

11. Ryan Vandenberg, 9:02 (finisher of all 13 years)  

Marathon+ Distance, Apollo Park (Shenk's Ferry Road) to Cold Cabin Park (27 miles)

1. Pete Fisher, 6:10

2. Steve Prescott, 6:46

3. Erin Altemos, 7:18

4. Charlene Howard, 7:21

5. Grayce Langheine, 7:35

5. Tom Waltman, 7:35

7. Hunt Bartine, 9:09

Fun Run (from wherever to wherever for however long)

to be added

2023 Results

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Sunrise: 7:20 am

Sunset: 4:42 pm

The Challenge: 9 hours and 22 minutes daylight time limit

50k++ Distance, Shanks Mare Store to Cold Cabin Park (36 miles)

1. Andrew Simpson, 5:33  

2. Chris Baumer, 6:36  

3. Ian Maffett, 6:56  

4. Beto Magana, 8:07  

5. Zach Geiple, 8:15  

6. Luc Claessens, 8:34  

7. Ryan Vandenberg, 8:57 (finisher of all 12 years)  

8. Steve Prescott, 9:09  

9. Jeff Kearns, 10:08  

Marathon Distance, Apollo Park (Shenk's Ferry Road) to Cold Cabin Park (27 miles)

1. Toby Ehrbaker, 6:04  

1. Rachel Slusher, 6:04  

1. Lindsay Smyth, 6:04  

4. Anthony Mangine, 6:27  

5. Jay Pinter, 6:36  

6. Andrew Grzanka, 6:51  

Fun Run (from wherever to wherever for however long)

Erin Altemos, 17.4 miles

John Hord, 17.4

Charlene Howard, 17.4

John Birkmire, 16.1

Brittney Scott, 16.1

Tom Seisser, 16.1

Brian Yeager, 16.1

Rebecca Svrjcek, 12.4

Lindley Austin, 12.4

Rachel Duda, 12.4

Alicen McCarrick, 12.4

2022 Results

December 18, 2022

Sunrise: 7:21 am

Sunset: 4:44 pm

The Challenge: 9 hours and 23 minutes daylight time limit

(names of those finishing The Challenge in bold below)

Cold (low 40s), breezy, sunny to partly cloudy, after a night of rain, fantastic running weather.

50k++ Distance, Shanks Mare Store to Cold Cabin Park (36 miles)

1. Andrew Foerster, 6:55

2. Mitch Ables, 7:08

3. Katie O'Regan, 7:10

4. Ryan Vandenberg, 9:13 (finisher of all 11 years)

5. Jeff Kearns, 9:32

Marathon Distance, Apollo Park (Shenk's Ferry Road) to Cold Cabin Park (27 miles)

1. Saul Duarte, 6:15:51

2. Melissa Morland, 6:15:51

3. Miguel Barowski, 6:30:34

4. Rachel Slusher, 6:39:27

5. Cassandra Lizza, 6:47:17

6. Andrew Grzanka, 7:09:10

7. Jay Pinter, 7:16:16

8. Ryan Schenning, 7:18:30

9. Anthony Mangine, 7:19:58

10. Michelle Graves, 7:30:39

11. Glen Ausmus, 7:32:15

12. Matt Miller, 7:33:16

13. Ellen Shephard, 7:33:53

14. Roxanna Strine, 9:58:23

Fun Run (from wherever to wherever for however long)

Gary Wenczel, 22 miles

Mark McLaughlin, 18.4

Robert Bartholomew, 14

Lindley Austin, 12.4

Arielle Blahus, 12.4

Rebecca Svrjzek, 12.4

Hunt Bartine, 10

Rob's summary:

It was good weather for the run, not too cold and the ground was frozen. It stayed frozen throughout the day and therefore we did not have to deal with any mud.  It seemed like there were more leaves on the trail than usual. This caused the runners to be a little more cautious in the technical areas of the course. There were seven starters in the 50k+ (36-mile) course with five finishers. The short course (27-mile) had a record 14 finishers.  The female course records were set on both courses. We had several runners doing partial distances and one dog that completed the entire short course. A fun day for all.

2021 Results

December 19, 2021

Sunrise: 7:24 am

Sunset: 4:41 pm

The Challenge: 9 hours and 17 minutes daylight time limit

(names of those finishing The Challenge in bold below)

Cold (low 40s), breezy, sunny to partly cloudy, after a night of rain, fantastic running weather.

50k++ Distance, Shanks Mare Store to Cold Cabin Park (36 miles)

1. Noah Dusseau, 6:04

2. Jake Landon, 6:07

3. Stephen Larick, 6:21

4. Clayton Bouchard, 6:57

5. Zach Geiple, 7:17

6. Rob Bartholomew, 7:57

6. Gary Wenczel, 7:57

8. Riley Andridge, 8:11

8. Clifton Shanklin, 8:11

10. Ryan Vandenberg, 8:23

11. Kathleen Cusick, 8:24

12. Nicole Seuffert, 8:31

13. Todd Fisher, 9:26

Marathon Distance, Apollo Park (Shenk's Ferry Road) to Cold Cabin Park (27 miles)

1. Ryan Leppo, 5:43

2. Miguel Barowski, 6:33

2. Antony Mangine, 6:33

2. Rachel Slusher, 6:33

5. Matt Miller, 6:35

5. Jay Pinter, 6:35

5. Brian Yeager, 6:35

8. Andrew Grzanka, 6:42

9. Lynn Malinak, 6:54

9. Steve Prescott, 6:54

11. Hunt Bartine, 8:56

12. Roxanne Strine, 8:50 (pre-sunrise start)

Fun Run (from wherever to wherever for however long)

Luc Claessens, 32.8 miles (out and back)

TJ Quinn, 29.5 miles (early stop)

Pete McLaughlin, 15 miles (mid-section, reverse)

Daryl Lehmann II, 9 miles (to Apollo Park)

Rob's summary:

2021 was a record year for the Mason Dixon Shortest Day Challenge.  There were 13 runners in the 50k+, 12 in the 50k- and 4 partial distance runners.  Male and female course records were set in both events.  The standout performance has to be Noah’s mind boggling 6:04 finish on the 50k+ course with Jake just 3-minutes back.  Steve did his best to stay with them and even held the lead coming into Apollo Park, he had to settle for 3rd but still had an impressive PB for the course.  A job well done to all and thanks for coming out!

2012 Results

December 23, 2012

Hunt Bartine's crazy idea becomes the first running of the MDSD

50k++ Distance, Shanks Mare Store to Cold Cabin Park (36 miles)

1. Ryan Vandenberg, 9:00

2. Gary Lucaks, 9:20

Fun Run (wherever to wherever for however long)

Hunt Bartine, 9.7 miles

Steve Bunville

Laura DeWald

Thomas Haine 

Pete McLaughlin, 9.7 miles

Gerald Meyer

Henry Peck

Kaylyn Peck 

Peter Searson