Chobot Challenge Trail Run

Michael Chobot (sounds like “Robot”), in his too-short 26 years, was AWESOME yet somewhat of a “weird duck”. Ironically, a 2013 Emmy nominee in sound for a wildlife documentary entitled “Duckumentary”, Michael marched to the beat of a different “drum, harmonica & kazoo”. He developed a taste for Baked Beans over Egg Noodles when, while a struggling sound tech in NYC, he found both on sale at the same time. He refused to drink anything but chocolate milk on his 21st Birthday, maybe the ONLY day at Penn State that he DIDN’T have a beer in his hand. He toted a backpack with him everywhere containing oddities like a compass, astronaut food, a 1 lb bag of rice, a space blanket, twine, waterproof matches, a Swiss army knife and other things that only Michael could see the need to have with him at all times. He once carried a queen sized mattress overland for 2 miles on his back instead of using a truck available to him just to see if he could do it. Even till his passing in 2013, Michael wasn’t just a “brother” or “son” or “sound engineer” or “trail runner” or “Penn Stater”, he was a little bit of “everything”.

And the Chobot Challenge, on some of the same Berks Co’s trails where Michael learned to run, is a little bit of “everything” too! It has long, gradual climbs that will tax you and long, gradual downhills where you’ll run so fast that it will at least LOOK like you actually trained hard for this. It passes one of the prettiest sites in Eastern PA; a spot known to very few; even those living in this area. It has 4 narrow & ankle-deep creek crossings (one of the few races still with creek crossings) & 1 knee deep one right before the finish. You’ll run everything from smooth single track to abandoned roads, with a pretty creekside start/finish, a covered pavilion, playground, modern bathrooms, shower, etc. on hand too. And naturally, it has all the other race aspects that make Pretzel City the top trail race organizer around.

Come out & run the type of trails that gave Michael so much joy & happiness, cause they’re sure to bring YOU joy & happiness as well! LEGAL LINGO: YOU RACE AT YOUR OWN RISK & ARE SOLEY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR WELFARE WHILE RACING! These trails are cleaner than most college dorm rooms occupied by males. But if you tweak something, drag your butt to the next aide station so we can get you out via fossil fuel. Get lost? Ray Charles could follow this course except for one reason; HE’S DEAD! Since longer trail races are a little “tuff”, entry is discouraged for 1) 15K runners under 14 yrs old (contact director for exceptions-often allowed) 2) anyone who ever called me on the phone at ALL hours to sell me medical insurance, ‘cause you’ll need it yourself if I ever get my hands on you and 3) anyone who thinks that EZ-Pass is a short, downfield throw to a receiver in football. Because if you do, you’re too dim to follow our course marks.