2020 EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual race option. *** The Frozen Heart is a low-key winter race for trail loving runners. Runners of all abilities are encouraged to challenge themselves to complete one of the three available distances. The course consists of 3 loops around St. Mary’s River Park (approx. 10.5 …
MORE
2020 EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual race option.
***
The Frozen Heart is a low-key winter race for trail loving runners. Runners of all abilities are encouraged to challenge themselves to complete one of the three available distances. The course consists of 3 loops around St. Mary’s River Park (approx. 10.5 miles each). Runners have the option of completing one loop (17K), two loops (34K), or three loops (50K).
The Frozen Heart course trails are singletrack and mostly runable with some technical sections with tree roots. Some minor hills, but no significant elevation change. All water crossings have bridges, but depending on the weather there could be snow, water, or mud on the trail. The surface of the trail is mostly packed dirt, but there are a few sandy sections and a half mile of rocky terrain. Most of the course is marked with blazes and there will also be signs and markers to keep runners on course. There will be two aid stations (with toilets) located on the loop so the runners will have access about every 5 miles of their race. The aid stations will be stocked and manned by volunteers.
All finishers will receive a finishers medal! Prizes will be presented to the Top 3 in 50K women and 50K men.
LESS
Great First-Time Ultra Trail Marathon
This race was the perfect choice for my first-ever ultra trail race (I've done a 50K before, and a trail marathon...but never an ultra trail marathon ha!). I actually registered … MORE
This race was the perfect choice for my first-ever ultra trail race (I’ve done a 50K before, and a trail marathon…but never an ultra trail marathon ha!). I actually registered for the race only a few days before-hand due to some last minute scheduling issues. I was planning on running a road marathon previously, but I am SO glad I switched over to this trail race as I loved every minute of it.
First off the race communication, instructions, and logistics are all top notch. Packet pick-up was very easy at the local Dick’s Sporting goods, there was constant email directions provided leading up to race day, and parking was plentiful at the local park where the trail run took place. All volunteers were SUPER friendly, encouraging, and willing to help out any runner.
The course itself is a 10 mile or so trail loop around St. Mary’s River Park encircling a lake (3 laps is a 50K). There are some hills, but nothing crazy elevation-wise (I believe my watch ended with around 1,600 ft total elevation). The challenge however comes from the condition of the trail depending on weather. On this day it was extremely muddy, and there were spots where you had no choice but to slosh on through getting up to your ankles in water / mud. I love this type of challenge, but just be prepared going into this race that it is a trail run…so expect to get dirty!
The aid tents were stocked full of so much different food and drinks it was crazy. There were tons of home-made goodies waiting at the trail loop start / finish…so you could easily grab some fuel to get you through the next loop.
I absolutely loved this race and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to enter the world of trail ultra running. Check out my race report regarding details of my performance and how I prepared for and tackled the race itself.