Wednesday, February 04, 2009
PHUNT 50K Events 2009
The forth running of the PHUNT events including a 50k, Marathon, 20k and 11 k courses was completed on a brisk Jan 3, 2009 day at Fair Hill Natural Management Area near Elkton Maryland. With over 200 registrants the participation in this free semi FAT ASS event has literally mushroomed from its early beginnings in 2002 when 10- 12 showed up on the Sat closest to Jan 1 to run the PHUP precursor 50k loop course in horrid cold rain drenched conditions. Two hardy ladies and 2 experienced guys were the only true finishers of that run.
In sharp contrast as the run has grown, 2007 saw over 100 arrive for a balmy days run and in 2008 a similar number attempted the event with similar crisp conditions to 2009.
The 50k course which is the main event is tweaked some every year by co–director Phil Nissen and has evolved to be slightly less circuitous but still in keeping with offering an amazing variety of single track trail, cart paths and open field and a very minor less then 5% road component. The other distance options utilize the 50k full loop course offering cut –offs for lesser distance.
The event is free and relies on participants for some food and liquid supplies to have at aid stations which vary in number and provisioning each year based on the donations and available volunteers to handle setting up a station. 2009 was also the first year of a Food Panty Challenge. It was amazingly successful with canned goods and non- perishables over filling a large SUV to be distributed at area shelters and food pantries.
Volunteer $ donations this year were also sufficient to cover a lot parking fee, the run directors costs and still present park management with a $100 check.
The event has also drawn entrants from a broad geographic area, with 2009 being no exception with a sizable contingent from New York City ( including 50k 1st place female, Stephanie Case ), as well as several from Illinois, Michigan and Florida.
The forth running of the PHUNT events including a 50k, Marathon, 20k and 11 k courses was completed on a brisk Jan 3, 2009 day at Fair Hill Natural Management Area near Elkton Maryland. With over 200 registrants the participation in this free semi FAT ASS event has literally mushroomed from its early beginnings in 2002 when 10- 12 showed up on the Sat closest to Jan 1 to run the PHUP precursor 50k loop course in horrid cold rain drenched conditions. Two hardy ladies and 2 experienced guys were the only true finishers of that run.
In sharp contrast as the run has grown, 2007 saw over 100 arrive for a balmy days run and in 2008 a similar number attempted the event with similar crisp conditions to 2009.
The 50k course which is the main event is tweaked some every year by co–director Phil Nissen and has evolved to be slightly less circuitous but still in keeping with offering an amazing variety of single track trail, cart paths and open field and a very minor less then 5% road component. The other distance options utilize the 50k full loop course offering cut –offs for lesser distance.
The event is free and relies on participants for some food and liquid supplies to have at aid stations which vary in number and provisioning each year based on the donations and available volunteers to handle setting up a station. 2009 was also the first year of a Food Panty Challenge. It was amazingly successful with canned goods and non- perishables over filling a large SUV to be distributed at area shelters and food pantries.
Volunteer $ donations this year were also sufficient to cover a lot parking fee, the run directors costs and still present park management with a $100 check.
The event has also drawn entrants from a broad geographic area, with 2009 being no exception with a sizable contingent from New York City ( including 50k 1st place female, Stephanie Case ), as well as several from Illinois, Michigan and Florida.
¶ 6:05 AM
