Race Review - Seneca Creek - Greenway 50k 2013

This years Seneca Creek - Greenway 50k and Marathon can best be summed up in one word - long. Or two words - really long. Of course if I want to add in some words I would choose - fun, scenic, runnable and awesome. With cheerful and helpful volunteers thrown in as well. Seneca Creek is not quite a Fat Ass and not yet a full blown "event" although I can certainly see it heading in that direction. Race chips and a little higher donation request for the first time - I see tech shirts in its future. We'll see.
Also for the first time (that I'm aware) the course was run in reverse of it's original, regular route. This was due to increase of runners and limited space at Riley's Lock for the after party. I liked it this way - there is a section on the trail that is just mud infested no matter what. It could rain three weeks before and not a drop since and it would be mud filled. Usually we hit this section on tired legs. This year, almost right off the bat and feeling fresh - I loved it! Either way the route ends up hill - getting the mud run out of the way first did seem to make a difference. The extra miles may have even things out a bit though. My Garmin Fennix - battery life 20-50 hours - conked out (again) around the 3 hour mark. I have no idea of the actual distance. Race Director Harvey Sugar says 34+ for the 50k and 30 for the marathon. Talking to runners with working watches at the end of the race and they reported anywhere from 35 to 37 for the 50k . So we know it was long. Really long. But as mentioned - very runnable. Plenty of hills but no real soul crushers until the very end. And it was pretty and a great day to be running - so extra miles equal extra time doing what we love. Maybe I did grumble a little though - but only to myself (I don't think anyone heard me)
This was Harvey Sugar's first time out as RD and he was taking over for the legendary Ed Shultze. Big shoes to fill and Harvey did an excellent job. Thanks for your hard work and effort Harvey - it definitely paid off in a quality day. As always I'm amazed that people volunteer their time and effort on a cold (or wet, hot, windy....) day to feed, hydrate and save runners from traffic hazards. Yet they do and they do it all with grace and a smile. Thank you! That's the one part of a race that never goes wrong. Unlike my Garmin Fennix which has failed the ultra test for the 4th time this year. However I am still a big fan of Garmin and hopeful for the Fennix - and better yet REI (who hands down has the single best return policy in the business) is exchanging it for a new watch. Here's a plug for REI - if you're looking to gear up for your next adventure - they're the place to go.
So another great race. I run this every year on tired legs from previous 50k's in a four week span. This year was a little tough as I kept a full training schedule to prep for the C&O 100 in April. Next year I may skip a race and see what I can do on this course alone. I hate skipping races though...

Thanks for reading!

Peace,
Eric