Back to Western New York Ultra Series Useful Links Page
Following are my observations of each event, based on multiple finishes (except the CanLake50 which I direct) and data from the past four years of the Western New York Ultra Series.
BPAC 6 Hour Distance Classic: Flat, Fast, Easy and Social
Date: April 27th; Location:
Amherst Bike Path at Amherst Pepsi Center. Run & walk as far as you can on flat
& fast, 3.25-mile paved loop. Do more than 26 miles in six hours and you will
be an ultrarunner. In most ultras you see very few runners after the start. At
the BPAC, you are always around other runners. Speedy runners may lap you
several times. You may lap some slower runners. Each lap you get to greet
other runners on the 1K out & back section. And since everyone finishes at
the same time, everyone is there for the post-race party and awards ceremony.
Highland Forest 1 2 3: Elevation, Big Climbs and There could
be Snow
Date: May 18th; Location:
Highland Forest Park near Tulley. Run & hike three 10-mile laps on rugged
upland trails. This series race comes the closest to being a mountain race.
The total elevation gain and loss over 30 miles is 4500 feet. Twice each lap
you climb to 1900-foot summits. If the Syracuse forecast calls for rain, it
will be cold and might even snow at Highland Forest. Most of the trail is good
running. There are several long, steep climbs that should be walked and one
long eroded downhill that calls for careful running. There are some short
sections of roots, mostly in dense pine stands. If it has rained recently, there
will be short stretches of unavoidable mud.
Finger Lakes Fifties: There could be Mud; There will be Cows
Date: July 5th; Location: Potomac Group Campground in Finger Lakes National
Forest near Hector. 50K option is two 25K laps on a mix of forest trails, dirt
roads and pastures (remember to close the gates behind you so the cows don’t get
out). The 50-mile option is three 25K laps plus a 3.5-mile finishing loop. The
50K has only 2400 feet of gain and loss, making it one of the easiest of the
series trail races. If the spring has been dry and race day is cool, fast times
can be run on the trails. Remember to keep picking your feet up when you get
tired or the roots will get you. If it has rained recently, you can count on
muddy trails and standing water in the pastures. Novice ultrarunners should try
the 50K. The 50-mile turns into a really tough race to finish on a hot day.
Green Lakes Endurance
Runs: Pristine Lakes, Forest and Meadows
Date: August 24th;
Location: Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville. 50K is four 12.5K
laps; 100K is eight laps. The loop includes 5K of flat, fast shaded
shoreline trail and 7.5K of trail through upland forest and rolling meadows with
panoramic views. Except for several short steeper bits, almost the entire
loop is good running. The course has the potential to be the fastest 50K
in the Western New York Ultra Series. Novice ultrarunners should complete the 50K before thinking of attempting
the 100K. The lack of shade on the upper sections of the course will make for a
challenging race on a warm August day.
CanLake 50: Bopple Hill
and 50 Miles Around the Lake
Date: October 11th;
Location: Finger Lakes Community College at Canandaigua. Run one big lap
around beautiful Canandaigua Lake on scenic roads with spectacular panoramic
views. Total gain and loss for 50 miles is approximately 3500 feet… most of the
gain and loss is in four climbs and descents. The smart runner walks the climbs
(including all of locally famous Bopple Hill) and makes up any time lost on the
flat and rolling roads that make up the rest of the course. Many first time
ultrarunners have successfully completed the full 50 miles around the lake… a
road 50, even a hilly one, is easier to finish than a trail 50. If that still
seems like too much for a first ultra, there is a point to point 50K option… run
3/5ths of the way around the lake and finish 50K in the hamlet of Middlesex.
This 50K option is new this year… with only 2100 feet of gain and loss, fast
times are expected.
Mendon Trail Runs: The
All-Weather “Bacon Strip”
Date: November 8th;
Location: Mendon Ponds Park near Pittsford. Just like a strip of fried bacon,
the course is just one little hill after another. The race directors claim each
10K lap has 1100 feet of climbing which would total 5500 feet for 50K. I’ve
measured it several times with a barometric altimeter and get just under 800
feet of gain per lap or close to 4000 feet for 50K… almost as much as the
Highland Forest 30 miler but a very different experience… at Mendon you are
always changing gears as the course continually undulates while Highland Forest
has long climbs, long drops and long runnable grades. The Mendon course is near
perfect for a race in November… the sandy soil soaks up water and drains well so
mud is not an issue. Most of the loop is wind sheltered by woods and hills.