2010 Fools 50k and 25k Trail Run

Event date: Sunday, March 28.

March 18: Participant email update #2 sent out to registered runners. If you did not receive, it is because we do not have a valid email address for you. To receive, send us an email at: fools50k@gmail.com


Procedures for the waiting list have been established.

Latest News page.

Preview: 2010 Fools Trail Run

Article below published in the March 2010 WRTR newsletter.

With registration reaching full capacity late last week, the field is set for the 2010 Fools Trail Run. The second year race will be held on March 28 starting and finishing at Pine Hollow in the Cuyahoga Valley.

Remembering last year, clear skies and a brilliant sun produced a memorable day for NE Ohio trailrunning. The race became an instant hit with 192 Fools, including 67 in the 50k, conquering the trails of the CVNP's Virginia Kendall park. Had the event been held one day later on Monday, runners would have faced a snowy, muddy mess.

After rave reviews from last year, no course changes are expected for this year's race. The route remains a diverse 25-km (15.7 miles) loop of the Kendall Lake area of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park comprised of the Cross Country, Lake, Ledges, Boston Run, Haskell Run, Pine Grove, and Salt Run Trails. The 50-km runners repeat the entire 25-km circuit.

Plan to get dirty. Seasonal average temperatures, ranging between a low of 30F and high of 55F, combined with muddy, wet conditions are expected on this course that features little to no pavement. (Estimated at 99.9% pavement-free.)

Starting and finishing from Pine Hollow, the 25-km route follows a color-coded course that offers a variety of surfaces. Runners will contend with grass meadows, pine groves, and some rocks combined with a descent into and climb out of the valley. Course highlights include the grassy terrain of the Little Meadow and Cross Country Trails, the rocks in and around the Ledges Trail, and the pines of the Boston Run and Pine Grove Trails before returning to Kendall Lake to tackle the Salt Run.

Out-of-town guests will not want to miss the Ledges Overlook vista near the 10 mile mark at the southern end of the Ledges Trail. After a view across the valley, runners experience a dramatic shift in scenery with a stair decent into the greenery of the Pine Grove.

Near the Pine Hollow finish line, the landscape provides a natural amphitheater to gather and watch the action. Spectators are treated to a special viewing area of the 20-km mark where the course passes the sledding hill within view of the finish. The last trail the Fools face is the often muddy Salt Run. This final 5-km stretch includes a descent to the valley floor followed by a two-mile climb up and out of the valley. I look forward to greeting each finisher as they cross the line.

Defending champions and course-record holders Mike Ryan of Strongsville (4:36) and Beth Woodward of Orrville (4:56) lead the 50k field. Several others are capable of pushing the pace even faster though wet weather might neutralize any assault on the course records. Sixty-percent of the field are comprised by runners registered in the 25k.

Generous sponsorship by The North Face and the Vertical Runner provided the race apparel and prizes, featuring the North Face's latest "Single-Track" shoes to each of the winners of the 50k & 25k races. Finishers will enjoy hot soup provided by Chili's.

Lyceum series: Ultrarunner Pam Reed, two-time winner of the Badwater Ultramarathon and author of The Extra Mile, is speaking at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association's Lyceum Series on Friday, March 26. Reed is signed-up to compete in the 2010 Fools 50k and is scheduled to join us for a meet-and-greet session at the Vertical Runner during the Saturday afternoon packet pick-up.

Lloyd Thomas, Race Director

General information


START and FINISH: Pine Hollow, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Peninsula, Ohio

Date: Sunday, March 28, 2009

Race start: 7:30 a.m. Course Closes 4:30 p.m. (9 hour limit)

Packet pick-up: Saturday, March 27, from 1-5 p.m. at Vertical Runner or at Pine Hollow, day of run from 6:30-7:15 a.m.

Course description: 25k trail loop within the Virginia Kendall Unit of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including the Salt Run, Lake, Ledges, Boston Run, Pine Grove, and Cross Country Trails. 50k runners repeat 25k course. See course map below.

Features:
- Course entirely on trails; run on parts of the Burning River 100 course
- A nice preparation run for the longer summer trail races and ultramarathons

Aid stations: Every 3.5 to 5 miles stocked with water, food, and beverage provided by Hammer Nutrition. In an effort to minimize paper waste, participants are encouraged to carry a water bottle.

Fee: $40 postmarked by February 15, $50 postmarked thereafter. NO REFUNDS policy in effect.

Registration limited to first 225 250 runners. A wait list will be established with submitted entries after the first 250 entered.

50K Awards: Top 3 men and women, Top Masters (40+) and Top Grand Masters (50+) man and woman

25K Awards: Top man and woman

Course records:
Men's 50 km: Mike Ryan, 43 (4:36:39)
Women's 50 km: Beth Woodward, 33 (4:56:55)
Men's 25 km: Jeff McManus, 25 (1:45:22)
Women's 25 km: Michelle Bichsel, 35 (2:04:35)

What you get: Those registered by March 1 will receive a North Face performance shirt. Awards for top finishers. Post-race refreshments, including hot soup provided to all participants.

Proceeds after expenses go to support local trail running through the Western Reserve Trail Running organization

Course map

The 2010 course is identical to the 2009 Fools Run.

The course will be well marked on race day.

See below for a table of course distances/checkpoints.

2010 Course

The color coding illustrates the route:

Start @ Pine Hollow

Leg 1, YELLOW:
- Path to Little Meadow
- Cross Country Trail
- Lake Trail
- Cross Truxell Rd.
- Connector to Ledges Trail
- Ledges Trail (west ½)
- Haskell Run

HAPPY DAYS AID STATION (North of Rte 303) - 5.2 miles

Leg 2, BLUE:
- Boston Run Trail (counterclockwise)

HAPPY DAYS AID STATION - 8.4 miles

Leg 3, PURPLE:
- Haskell Run
- Ledges Trail (east ½)
- Pine Grove Trail (counter-clockwise)
- Connector to Kendall Lake
(cross Truxell Rd.)
- Lake Trail (east side)

KENDALL LAKE AID STATION (where Cross Country and Lake Trail intersects) - 12.0 miles

Leg 4, ORANGE:
- Lake Trail (south side)
- Lake Trail detour
- Salt Run Trail (counter-clockwise)

25k FINISH at Pine Hollow

PINE HOLLOW AID STATION - 15.7 miles

Repeat entire course for 50k

Link to Aid station checkpoints & distances.

Click map to download.



GPS track of course from March 15 training run:

Latest news - 2010 Fools Run

The 2010 Fools 50k/25k will take place on March 28, 2010

Stay tuned here for the latest race information:

March 18: Participant email update #2 sent out to registered runners. If you did not receive, it is because we do not have a valid email address for you. To receive, send us an email at: fools50k@gmail.com

March 1: Race preview published in the March WRTR newsletter.

Feb 28: Participant email update #1 sent out to registered runners. If you did not receive, it is because we do not have a valid email address for you. To receive, send us an email at: fools50k@gmail.com

Feb 26: Registration is full. Any new applicants will be offered a spot on the waiting list.

Feb 24: Registration is near capacity. Procedures for the waiting list are established.

Feb 20: 225 participants registered as of today. Registration is expected to reach capacity in the next couple days.

Feb 18: Entry capacity raised from 225 to 250. A wait list will be established with submitted entries after the first 250 entered.

Feb 16: 204 participants registered as of today.

Feb 14: Due to the President's Day holiday, the mailing deadline for early entry is extended to entries received with a postmark by February 17.

Feb 12: The North Face continues to provide top-tier sponsorship for the Fools Run. This year we anticipate added prize categories for both the 50k and 25k races.

Feb 11: The 2010 Fools Run will use the same course as in 2009. Click for course map and aid station checkpoints.

Feb 9: 166 participants registered as of February 9. (Entrant list)

Jan 20: Training runs now scheduled for February 28 & March 13.

Jan 10: Registration opened