August 29 – 8 am, from Guilford Lakes School, Guilford to Race Hill Rd and back. Distance 8 miles. This run is dog friendly.

September 19 – 8 am from the Monastery, Race Hill Rd, Guilford to the Mattabasset connector and back. On the return, instead of retracing the same trail we shall use the New England Scenice Trail. Distance 10 miles (RWA Recreation passes required). No dogs, please.

October 10 – 8 am from Renee Way trail head, Madison. A loop on the Mattabasset, Lone Pine and Rockland trails (including Bluff Head). Distance 13 miles. This run is dog friendly.

No fee and no registration is required. Bring your own hydration. If you do not have a RWA pass, there may be guest passes available on a first come first serve basis, so it might pay to ask in advance – jerry(at)mrbimble(dot)com . Please do not do the September run if you do not have a pass.

No rain dates!

The Bimbler’s Bluff 50k is an off road foot race through several woodland preserves in southern Connecticut. Consisting entirely of single track or forest roads, the course will provide a true test of the runner’s fitness and mental stamina. You should only consider entering this race if you are confident you have sufficient running experience such as having previously completed a recent road or trail half marathon.

The changeover location for the relay event has changed from last year, please read the course description document for details.

Google map of course
Event details and course description (pdf format)

BLUFF and RELAY ENTRY FEES

The Bluff 50k – $45 before August 31, $55 before October 2, 2010
Goat and Gazelle Relay (per Team) – $65 before August 31, $75 before October 2, 2010

Note: Entries will be limited to 150 runners as the course passes through an environmentally sensitive preserve. There will be NO race day registrations. No entry refunds

Register on-line at Active.com

Register via printable application form (pdf format)

Race reports from past Bluff races.

While enjoying coffee picnic style on the Guilford green after a run with Bimblers, word went around that the Chester 4 on the 5th is a great race to try out. It had been a few months since I had raced and I thought it was about time I signed myself up for one. My GPS came in handy as I made the drive to Chester. I found my way to registration and was immediately impressed by how organized this race was. I was even given explicit instructions and a demo lesson on how to put my timing strip on my sneaker. I was then watched carefully to make sure no mistakes were made. I was sure my time was going to be very accurate!!

I began getting ready for the race and finding Bimblers along the way. There was a great turn out for the race. My parents showed up for the race as well. They had heard a lot of stories about the famous Bimbler group but never got a chance to meet anyone. Today was their day, and they got to see what makes this group so great!

Onward to the race!! It could not have been more hot, humid, and sticky. Everyone made their way to the starting line and with a shout of “Go!” we were on our way though Chester. The people of Chester did a wonderful job keeping up the spirits of all the runners. Sprinklers sprayed the crowds on every street we crossed. It was a roller coaster ride as we traveled up and down rolling hills. I was warned ahead of time that the last mile crosses near the finish line and makes you think you are done. I pushed on knowing there was more race to run!! I finished up the race running downhill to the finish. I think all races should end this way!! The 4th of July weekend came to an end with good running and good company!

Sport

It actually turned out to be five on the fifth with no less less than five age group awards being picked up by BS runners!

See more pictures here

After a leisurely breakfast it was an unusual treat to head to the start of the Big Horn 100 a little after 8 am. The pre-race briefing at the finish area at Scot Park, Dayton, was shorter than many other races of this kind with the exception of the Bear 100 which I recall lasted no more than about 8 minutes! The usual warnings were given about eating and drinking during the race plus warning about the range of weather conditions in the mountains that we could expect plus details on the snow depth near the turnaround point. Snow depth? In fact, because the usual course in this area still had drifts that would have been above the waist of many runners, a detour had been put in place. Out of the shade the sun felt hot and heavy and we smothered ourselves in sun cream struggling to comprehend that further up the trail temperatures touching freezing were in our future.

From the finish line we moved 4 miles up the Big Horn River canyon to the start. Hemmed between the high canyons walls, the intensity of the sun became more pronounced and many of the assembled runners sought out the little shade that was available. After spending the previous 2 days checking out different sections of the course and appreciating a little more the remote terrain between the aid stations I elected to switch from my usual bottles to a hydration pack. I picked up a Gregory Rofous pack in a local store, it has two generous pockets on the waist band and comfortably hugs your back with no movement. I planned to wear it through Friday and switch back to bottles for the last 13 miles back down BH canyon, but it worked so well that I didn’t bother to change.

The race began with the usual prayer and national anthem before we headed up the canyon on a dusty dirt road for about 1 mile, then we got onto the single track path that we had explored a few days earlier. Soon we began to climb beyond the point that Guthrie had reached before and the gradient got gradually steeper. As the canyon opened out the heat from the sun cooled as a breeze picked up, although the rays still made your skin feel tight. From the low confines of the canyon, the landscape opened to rolling grasslands filled with yellow and blue wildflowers. As we continued to gain height I pulled up my Moben sleeves and focused on eating and drinking. The drink of choice from the race was Heed, after struggling with it in the past I have been using it a lot lately which meant I didn’t have to be so dependent on Guthrie to keep me supplied. This was a good thing as despite the race distance she was only going to get to see me just three times out on the course with the exception of the finish. The first was at mile 13, the Dry Fork Aid Station which was located on a high open hill side completely exposed to the elements, while the next was at the turn around otherwise known as Porcupine Ranger Station and finally back at Dry Fork. Earlier during the week we had checked out another potential crew access point called Footbridge but the drive to it took two and a half hours from Dayton and nearly four hours from Dry Fork in the opposite direction by road to Porcupine. Had she attempted to go there during the race it was highly likely she would miss me despite the many hours driving so we decided she would skip it. Therefore, I was going to need a drop bag to hold warm clothing for the climb up to Porcupine during the night.

The run to Dry Fork, just 13 miles in took 3 hours. From here the course continued to gradually gain elevation across more flower filled plains occasionally broken by pockets of sage brush and trees. The trail was barely wide enough to place your feet side by side and where it was edged by scrub the vegetation scratched your ankles as you passed. Wider sections of the trail had clearly been used by ATVs and the deep ruts eroded by rain made steady running taxing. Nestled in the Big Horn River canyon, the descent to Footbridge was the steepest gradient on the course, but with relatively fresh legs is wasn’t hard to make good time. However, on the way down a lot more surface water was evident. It was an ominous omen of what was to come. Steep canyon walls started to tower over the trail once more and the cool of the late afternoon started to become more noticeable. At the aid station I changed into a thermal top, packed a windbreaker, buff and gloves and headed out. Despite being a ‘major aid station’ they didn’t have traditional fare like PB&J so I had to make do with several chucks of potato to munch as I headed out.

About 30 minutes later I was following a runner as we approached a fast flowing creek that was washing across the trail. On the left was a tree that was also acting as a barrier to a drop of about 12 feet. The other runner jumper onto the tree and used it as a bridge to avoid the fast flowing icy water. I started to follow, but the prospect of tripping to the right into to the strong current or falling to the left over the edge of the drop suddenly caused me to hesitate. My foot caught a branch knot and my right calf threatened to cramp. I decide the risk of negotiating the hazard for the sake of keeping my feet dry wasn’t worth it. I stepped back, tripped and only just managed to stay upright ask I landed in the water just short of the bank. The water was clearly snow melt! I waded across the creek hoping that my feet wouldn’t trip on an unseen rock beneath the surface. My left heel had developed a hot spot before Dry Fork and the wet now brought it into renewed focus. I cursed the wet but my frustration was short lived. Further up the trail became wetter and wetter and attempting to dodge the water was difficult because of the mud. Before long the wet trail became an expanse of bog and there nothing to do except just trudge through ignoring the freezing water. This continued for several miles. I resisted the thought to stop and put on the gloves and jacket in my pack preferring to press on.

On the trail Porcupine we had been briefed to lookout for Leaky Mountain, so named because of many springs that can be seen gushing water from its side. I was hoping to make Porcupine before dark and in doing so be able to take in this sight. My wish was granted. Up ahead the peaks appeared to be snow clad and I wondered where to trail was going to take us. The temperature was definitely dropping as the first signs of snow came into view. With the melting snow came mud; thick, slippery, sticky stuff that did nothing except to slow progress. A few of the drifts were still knee deep and if you tried to follow an un-trod path you would fall through the ice crust which was sharp enough to scratch skin.

By the time I next saw Guth, I was pretty cold and looking forward to prospect of some warm broth at the aid station. She was able to meet me about a mile from the Ranger Station and we ran in together. Once there I put on warmer layers had some soup and grabbed a fresh PB&J in a baggie and headed back out into the dark that had now descended. After the warm aid stop, the cold and prospect of another fifty miles was nothing short of sobering! Thankfully, the sensation of cold didn’t become unmanageable and the best thing to do was just to keep going. At each aid station you would see yet another runner who had called it a day, rather than lower my spirits, the sight of their situation spurned me to keep going. By the time I returned to Dry Fork dawn was just beginning to appear.

Once again the options for food seemed limited and I set out with just a few pieces of potato and a fresh supply of Heed. At the aid station I came across 2 other runners who had pulled away on the ascent to Porcupine. I was surprised to find them still at the stop but realized that they were not having a good time. I proceeded to get out quickly and make good progress up the canyon. To begin I powered up the trial with a steady, methodic stride but about two thirds up hit a wall and started to imagine buildings jutting out from the cliff on the opposite canyon wall. Beneath my feet the trail slipped in and out of focus and voices in my head kept suggesting that a nap would feel really nice right now. I sucked down my last remaining Hammer Gels but after about 30 minutes my hazy state of mind returned. I had no alternative except sip Heed which now tasted cold and unpleasant and keep going. I think I passed 2 more stations before Cow Camp where the smell of cooked breakfast greeted me. I stocked up with soda, filled a bag with PB&J and grabbed a fried egg wrapped in bread for the road. That egg tasted like the finest food on the planet! Six miles away high on the horizon was Dry Fork, the distance could not pass quick enough but there was nothing else to do except focus on the ground ahead and keep going.

At Dry Fork my weigh-in showed I had gained a couple of pounds which was an indication of fluid retention from lack of food. I filled another baggie and gladly accepted a wrap filled with cheese and avocado for the last major leg – the final 18 miles. As I left runners gathered for the start of the 30k race applauded and shouted encouragement. I would have preferred to have walked out of the aid station eating food but vanity compelled me to run hoping that the stuffing didn’t slip out from the wrap. As the cheers faded I slowed to a walk and concentrated back on the food. A few minutes later, runner started to flash past. The Big Horn event hosts 30k, 50k, and 50 mile races and in the final miles the color of each passing runners bib became important.

By now the sun was once more high in the sky, runners from the 30k race streamed by with words of encouragement. When we hit a steep incline I started to overtake some of these runners who were breathing heavily. One of two looked decidedly frustrated at the prospect of someone who had already covered around 80 miles overtake, but if they were irritated it soon passed as we descended into the Tongue River Canyon. The canyon walls gradually closed in and the heat increased, we were on the last leg to the finish. The trail along the river seemed to go on forever, with bend in the path came a hope to see the trailhead thwarted by sight of just more trail. Eventually though like most things on the trail, it was temporary and the final 5 miles of dirt road were before us. For me running with blisters was become difficult so I alternated between short bursts of running and power walking. Guthrie came out to meet me and we fell into step together. The road went on, around the next bend and still continued. Another bend and still more road. The heat felt more oppressive, more runners passed, thankfully not participants in the 100. At last the bridge across the Tongue River was in sight; over the bridge, across the road, down the entrance road into the park and the finish was in sight. I had conquered the Big Horn.

Organization of the event was well done, the finish was a large picnic for finishers of the all the races as participants came in and were joined by family and friends. My initial finisher award was a fleece ground sheet which we laid in the shade to sit on while we ate food and downed recovery drink. Later it started to rain and we headed off back to Sheridan to check back in to a hotel for showers and bed rest.

Sunday morning, we headed into the center of downtown Sheridan for the awards ceremony and pancake breakfast. An entire plaza was turned into a huge field kitchen knocking out fresh made pancakes, ham, juice and coffee. All 100 mile finishers within the 34 hour cut off received a buckle and embroidered light weight wind breaker. For placing in my age group (3rd) I also received a piece of Big Horn rock – it will be fun explaining to TSA on the way home how I acquired it! As we rested through Sunday afternoon there were constant weather warnings of severe thunderstorms and tornados. At about 5 pm the skies over Sheridan darkened briefly as a storm passed overhead. We later learned that the town of Billings 120 miles to the north was hit by a tornado with reports suggesting about $15 million worth of damage had occurred. What a different race it would have been if the storm had arrived 24 hours earlier!

To see more images, click here

Race results

Drove out to the Big Horn River Canyon to find the aid station known as Footbridge. The ride was nearly 2 hours long from the finish line and involved the fording of 3 creek crossings and several miles on what the directions described as ‘primitive roads’. The reality was pot hole filled dirt tracks – thank goodness the Chevy Tahoe has good ground clearance. Close to the canyon entrance we saw several cabins perched precariously close the the Big Horn River – how people slept at these places beat us as the river noise was quite loud. They didn’t look fun though and most obviously had electricity. a few had bottled gas but that seems to the limited of their modern conveniences. The small sentry sized shed a few feet away from the cabin suggested that some aspects were a little primitive.

We climbed up the canyon side on the steepest side and quickly left the roaring river below, but about a quarter of the way the skies suddenly darkened and the sound of distance thunder sent us back down towards the car. No sooner had we reach it, the heavens opened and dumped a brief but heavy shower while we bounced from one water filled hole to another back to civilization. Around us lightening strikes crashed down well off in the distance but it was still spectacular to watch.

The forecast for Friday is sunny and warm while on Saturday there could be scattered thunder storms. We heard this evening that parts of Montana to the north were hit by a large storm cell that dumped large hail stones as it passed. Getting caught in the open up a mountain by hail is going to hurt!

Unusually for our trips to distant 100 milers, we have arrived in the Bighorn mountain region with three full days before the race to explore the area. We flew into Billings, MT early yesterday and then made our way slowly south to Sheridan, WY pausing along the way to visit the location of Custer’s Last Stand and the battle of Little Bighorn. The wide open space of the country is magnificent, the grass plains stretch for miles and it must have been an amazing sight when the plains were filled with herds of buffalo. Sheridan is a small town byeast coast standards but big for this area, the main downtown shopping area hosts numerous outfitters of cowboy / girl apparel (Allstate, one store even had a pink Stetson!) plus one running store, where race registration takes place on Thursday.

After an early night we planned to check out the race start at Dayton, a town of just 679 inhabitants. About 2 miles out of town up an unmade road the race will begin close to the Tongue River trail head. By the time we started out, the sun was beating down and the temperatures were around the low 80s. From the parking area the trail narrowed to barely 2 to 3 feet wide and began to snake up along the side of the river canyon.

Each turn of a corner brought photo moment after photo moment, the scenery is stunning and I was glad to have to opportunity to enjoy it as during the race my focus will be on my feet. Gradually the distance between us and the river increased as the trail snaked higher and higher towards the distant horizon. At one point a huge rock leaning out from the canyon wall created a strange echo effect from the sound of the river below making it sound as if there was a river above as well as below!

We continued to climb passing flagging already in place for the race, and crossed a small fast flowing stream of icy cold water, we had been told that the area had received unusually high rain fall in recent weeks making the landscape very green and lush as well as flooding the rivers. Shortly after the stream crossing the trailed opened onto a hiilside meadow filled with wild flowers and open views. It continued to climb and we made for a post that displayed a notice to explain the meadow had been created by a controlled burn program. Guthrie wanted to try to crest the top of the canyon and we continued up to another post but on reaching it found the summit was still some way up. Running low on water we decided to make our way back and started to run downhill. The going wasn’t particularly technical but the steep narrow trail wasn’t easy and the desire to still take in the spectacular sights caused us to pause now and again.

Back at the car we headed back into Dayton for a cool bear at the Crazy Woman Saloon. If the rest of the course is half as good as those first few miles, it is going to be one heck of a race. Tomorrow we’re going to check out a bit more.

For more pictures, click here

To read more, click here

If you want to try this closer to home, the Vermont 100 miler has simultaneous runner / horse races.