 Batten Kill Valley Runners |
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It was 3 am before I crawled into bed this morning. I knew it was late since most of the bars were all closed down as I drove through villages and the dog wasn't there to greet me when I walked through the door. This has to be one of the strangest, most fun-filled road race I was ever in. Our running club and the Pownal Center Fire Department were the sponsors. It's a 4.1 mile race heading down both paved and gravel roads for two miles and then eventually back up for two. It was held at Midnight July 20th during a full moon with fairly clear skies and perfect running temperatures.
Runner packets included a little flashing wand light that gave off a little more light than a lightning bug. I kept up with the big dogs for more than half the race for more than one reason. The biggest one was that they came in handy for warning me what was ahead. The moonlight was just strong enough so that every tree would cast a shadow. The question was how low the tree branches were. The idea was to stay close to a flashing light as it entered a shadow, if it went out the other side and you didn't hear a "Ugh-h-h-, it had to be all shadow. It made you feel like you were in Sleepy Hollow. The heavy breathing coming up behind you might just as well be the Headless Horseman because you couldn’t see who it is anyway. Another strange feeling in a race like this it that you lose your sense of direction and distance. You had no idea if you are going up or down hill or where the finish is. Back-of-the-pack runners had an additional challenge as well. If you did not get to the candle lit luminaries (some with arrows) on time, you found them burnt out and not very illuminating as to which way to go.
The 79-finisher turnout was remarkable! It's hard to imagine that many people signing up for a race that late at night and then the crowd actually staying for the award ceremony. BKVR members and race crew brought cookie and cake treats to pass around. Age group winners went home with maple syrup; second place finishers received a "Moon Pie", and I think third place got EMS water bottles.
Congratulations to the organizers for a job well done! Make it a point to include this race on your roster for next year!
by Mark Kelsey |
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