Rock the Ridge 2016, Ode to the Gunks
The atmosphere was subdued at the Testimonial Gatehouse for the start of the 2016 Rock the Ridge. Skies were overcast and the air damp and chill from the overnight rain. The nearly 400 runners/hikers started off to cover 50 miles of the Shawangunks right at six am. Some would see the Gatehouse again in six hours or so, others wouldn’t see it again for twenty as they traversed carriageways from Skytop to Castle Point.
A wildfire blazed in the southern most end of Minnewaska State Park, Sam’s Point, for six days just a week before. The Shawangunk Ridge continues for another 40 miles past that into High Point New Jersey, through the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest where there was a wildfire last spring. The ravages of the 2008 wildfire in Minnewaska can still be seen from the road on 44/55.
A wildfire blazed in the southern most end of Minnewaska State Park, Sam’s Point, for six days just a week before. The Shawangunk Ridge continues for another 40 miles past that into High Point New Jersey, through the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest where there was a wildfire last spring. The ravages of the 2008 wildfire in Minnewaska can still be seen from the road on 44/55.
The Start |
There are so many threats to the natural beauty of the Gunks from wildfires, to Southern Pine Beetle, to Emerald Ash Bore, to development. Many of the now forested parts of the ridge were once developed and are now returning to a natural state. Bonticou Crag was blasted out during the creation of the NYC aquifer and back in the 80s there was a ski lift at Peter’s Kill. But thanks to conservation efforts of Open Spaces Institute, the Nature Conservancy, NYS Office of Parks, and the Mohonk Preserve, nearly 35,000 acres of the ridge are protected.
And that’s what brought four hundred people, the oldest 70 and the youngest 10, out on Arbor Day, or Beltane Eve, to help the Preserve continue its work of getting people out in nature. This year Rock the Ridge raised $147,763 for the Preserve. |
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The recent destruction of 1250 acres of forest on the ridge at Sam’s Point makes the day more poignant. While fire is a natural part of a forest’s life this particular fire was in all probability caused by careless smokers, as was the 2008 fire. The Rock the Ridge course goes out to Minnewaska but not near enough to Sam’s Point to see the burnt remains of the Pitch Pine. Ridge Rockers still got a taste of what the Gunks has to offer.
The fastest runner, Ian Ridgway, saw it all at an average speed of 7:30 minutes per mile, finishing in 6 hours 12 minutes and 1 second. Followed by Ben Nephew who motored in just 2 minutes behind. Lisa Makey spent 20 hours 24 minutes and 53 seconds basking in the Gunks’ glory and finished as the 158 individual.
Team, Not First, Probably Not Last did finish first with at time of 9:54:06.
Relay team Breaking the Cycle finished the 50 miles in 5:20:05, yep that’s roughly a 6:30 pace. For the relay the course is divided into four, roughly, 12 mile legs. From the Gatehouse to Spring Farm, Spring Farm to Lyons Road, Lyons Road to Castle Point and back, and from Lyons Road back to the Gatehouse.
However it was done, fast, slow, team, relay, individual, it was beautiful way to spend a spring day for a beautiful cause. Complete Results here.
Trail races are the area’s fastest growing type of running event. Upcoming this spring, summer and fall are : Run the Pace XC Trail Run, American Zofingen Duathlon, Phonica Ridge to Valley Half, Manitou’s Revenge Ultramarathon, Solstice Run, Kingston X-Country Summer Series, New Paltz Summer Series, Escarpment Trail Run, Ellenville Mountain Running Festival, Thacher Park Trail Running Festival, Black Rock Races, Shawangunk Ridge Trail Run/Hike, Pfalz Point Trail Challenge, Cat's Tail Trail Marathon, the Great Schunemunk Traverse, the Zombie Run, After the Leaves Half Marathon, and New Paltz Turkey Trot, plus a few fat-ass races.
The fastest runner, Ian Ridgway, saw it all at an average speed of 7:30 minutes per mile, finishing in 6 hours 12 minutes and 1 second. Followed by Ben Nephew who motored in just 2 minutes behind. Lisa Makey spent 20 hours 24 minutes and 53 seconds basking in the Gunks’ glory and finished as the 158 individual.
Team, Not First, Probably Not Last did finish first with at time of 9:54:06.
Relay team Breaking the Cycle finished the 50 miles in 5:20:05, yep that’s roughly a 6:30 pace. For the relay the course is divided into four, roughly, 12 mile legs. From the Gatehouse to Spring Farm, Spring Farm to Lyons Road, Lyons Road to Castle Point and back, and from Lyons Road back to the Gatehouse.
However it was done, fast, slow, team, relay, individual, it was beautiful way to spend a spring day for a beautiful cause. Complete Results here.
Trail races are the area’s fastest growing type of running event. Upcoming this spring, summer and fall are : Run the Pace XC Trail Run, American Zofingen Duathlon, Phonica Ridge to Valley Half, Manitou’s Revenge Ultramarathon, Solstice Run, Kingston X-Country Summer Series, New Paltz Summer Series, Escarpment Trail Run, Ellenville Mountain Running Festival, Thacher Park Trail Running Festival, Black Rock Races, Shawangunk Ridge Trail Run/Hike, Pfalz Point Trail Challenge, Cat's Tail Trail Marathon, the Great Schunemunk Traverse, the Zombie Run, After the Leaves Half Marathon, and New Paltz Turkey Trot, plus a few fat-ass races.
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This year I stationed myself, gargoyle like, on a small cliff overlooking the s-turn on the Trapps Road just a few miles from Awosting Falls to take pictures. My lookout afforded me a sunny, warm vantage point to see Ridge Rockers coming and going from the turnaround at Castle Point, ~ mile 25 in one direction and ~35 in the other. I was able to catch snippets of conversation, several about plate tectonics, catch Ridge Rockers unaware, and shout-out to friends as they passed beneath my perch.
I like to engage with my subjects as I photograph them, I offer encouragement or appreciate the beauty of the day with them or I ask how their day is going. Many Ridge Rockers, with 35 miles under their belts, replied smilingly that they were having a blast. Related storiesRock the Ridge pre-race
It's almost time for the new spring ritual - running 50 miles through the Shawangunk Ridge.
Read more Rock the Ridge 2015
A beautiful morning dawned on Rock the Ridge 2015. The 202 runners and walkers and 22 relay teams lined up at the Gatehouse
Read more |
Trapps Road |
