About
With everyone on "lockdown" and "social distancing", the norm for the foreseeable future, I thought it would be fun to have a virtual relay on one of your favorite trails in Connecticut. The Appalachian Trail is one of the iconic routes in the United States running almost 2200 miles from Georgia to Maine. In Connecticut, the AT runs for approximately 50 miles along the Western border of CT.
Here's the skinny on the event. There will be 2 different divisions: teams of either 5 runners or 2 runners, so you need to find 4 other friends or one REALLY good friend! Each runner on the teams of 5 will run approximately 7-11 miles each depending on the specific length of each route. Teams of 2 will have one runner run the first 22ish miles with the second runner the remaining distance. The idea is for each runner to run "solo" and self supported, complying with the social distancing requests by the State of CT. Each runner should start their leg if possible at the same time as the others on their team or at least on the same day.
In order to help support our local running stores in these difficult times, a portion of the proceeds will go to both the Woodbridge Running Company in Brookfield, CT and the Ridgefield Running Company in Ridgefield, NY. They have both been big supporters of Steep Endurance races since our inception.
Here's the skinny on the event. There will be 2 different divisions: teams of either 5 runners or 2 runners, so you need to find 4 other friends or one REALLY good friend! Each runner on the teams of 5 will run approximately 7-11 miles each depending on the specific length of each route. Teams of 2 will have one runner run the first 22ish miles with the second runner the remaining distance. The idea is for each runner to run "solo" and self supported, complying with the social distancing requests by the State of CT. Each runner should start their leg if possible at the same time as the others on their team or at least on the same day.
In order to help support our local running stores in these difficult times, a portion of the proceeds will go to both the Woodbridge Running Company in Brookfield, CT and the Ridgefield Running Company in Ridgefield, NY. They have both been big supporters of Steep Endurance races since our inception.
What Do you GET?
Each runner will receive:
- A portable Steep Endurance logo hydration cup made by Hydrapak.
- A custom designed medal from Ragged Cuts.
- The opportunity to run a portion of one of the most beautiful sections of trail in Connecticut.
- Awards will be given out in the following divisions. Male, Female, and Mixed Teams (Mixed teams must have at least 2 of one gender and 3 of the other).
- Each member of each team of 5 that finishes the relay will receive 30% off one Steep Endurance race of their choice through the end of 2020. Teams of 2 will each receive 50% off one Steep Endurance race!
Registration
Opens March 25!
Signup Period is until April 8, but Teams may start as early as April 1
|
5 runner teams
$100 per team ($20 per person) |
2 runner teams
$80 per team ($40 per person) |
Course Description
The Connecticut AT stretches for approximately 50 miles from the NY/CT state line at Hoyt Rd. in Wingdale to the CT/MA border at Sages Ravine. There are some amazing viewpoints, lots of technical terrain, and plenty of solitude along the way. Total elevation/vertical gain from south to north is over 10000'! There will be five different sections/legs in this virtual event running from south to north. **For teams of 2, one runner will do sections 1-2 and the second runner will do sections 3-4-5. Here are the details for each section:
***Mileage is approximate according to Plotaroute.com. Please click on course maps for more detail and elevation maps for each section.
There is parking at the trailhead of each section EXCEPT for the end of section 2/start of section 3. There is parking for just down the road at the intersection of routes CT-4/US-7. Please click this link for a great resource for trails in Northwest CT and to see where each trailhead/parking areas are. There are also photos for most parking areas too!
Trailheads of CT has also created this amazing resource for the Appalachian Trail at this link
Rules/steps for reporting your run:
- Section 1: 11.3 Miles Hoyt Rd. (41.641136, -73.520170) to CT Route 341 (41.731188, -73.490268)
- Section 2: 11.1 Miles CT Route 341 (41.731188, -73.490268) to CT Route 4 (41.822982,-73.386619)
- Section 3: 12.0 Miles CT Route 4 (41.822982,-73.386619) to US Route 7/CT Route 112 (41.932615, -73.363441)
- Section 4: 9.6 Miles US Route 7/CT Route 112 (41.932615, -73.363441) to CT Route 41 (41.994093, -73.426586)
- Section 5: 5.9 Miles CT Route 41 (41.994093, -73.426586) to CT/MA Border (42.050232, -73.454625)
***Mileage is approximate according to Plotaroute.com. Please click on course maps for more detail and elevation maps for each section.
There is parking at the trailhead of each section EXCEPT for the end of section 2/start of section 3. There is parking for just down the road at the intersection of routes CT-4/US-7. Please click this link for a great resource for trails in Northwest CT and to see where each trailhead/parking areas are. There are also photos for most parking areas too!
Trailheads of CT has also created this amazing resource for the Appalachian Trail at this link
Rules/steps for reporting your run:
- You have from April 1 to April 18 to complete the run for your team.
- Each runner will record their route/time that they run through either a Strava or Garmin Connect link. If you are reporting through Strava, you must record as a "race" to get an accurate time.
- Please record your time and include your GPS link on the event Google Spreadsheeet. This link for spreadsheet will be updated here as we get closer to April 1 >>>> Steep Endurance Social Distance AT Relay
- Please take a time-stamped photo at the beginning and end of your run.
- Please also join the Steep Endurance Strava Club at the orange Strava logo below.
Course Maps
Route map for Appalachian Trail-CT
|
Route map for Hoyt Rd to CT-341 |
Route map for CT-341 to CT-4 |
Route map for CT-4 To US-7/CT-112 |
|
Route map for US-7/CT-112 To CT-41 |
Route map for CT-41 To CT/MA Border |
Runner RULES/SUGGESTIONS
- This event is a virtual, self-supported event. There are NO aid stations. Please bring enough water (water filter if needed) and nutrition for your solo run.
- You may start your run anytime starting April 1. All runs must be completed by April 18.
- Please bring a cell phone for safety.
- You are responsible for getting yourself to the start of each section. Please use a family member when possible to pick you up at the end of your leg or you will have to retrace your route back to your car where you started. For the last leg (section 5) you will need to get yourself back down to where you started or down to Mt. Riga State Park trailhead (which is not on the AT, but closer than returning to the start of section 5).
- Carry in...Carry out! Any thing you bring with you must be packed out. Do NOT litter on the trail.
- The AT is marked very well marked with "White Blazes". Please follow them carefully or use an App such as AllTrails to help you stay on track. You are responsible for following the trail. There are a few road crossings on some of the sections, so be mindful of any traffic when doing so.
- Please respect others that are on the trail as you will see hikers/runners/families depending on the time of day you are on the trail.
- If you must use the bathroom, please try to do so very discreetly a good distance off the trail before returning to the trail.
- Please check the weather before you decide to run and be prepared!
- SMILE, enjoy yourself, and be one with the trail!
SPONSORS
Beneficiaries
|
|