The Hellbender features a great course for both road or trail runners. Fast, flat, out and back along the scenic lakes and beautiful Weiser State Forest. Both the 5K and the half marathon races follow out-and-back courses that start and finish at the Route 54 parking area in Bear Gap, …
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The Hellbender features a great course for both road or trail runners. Fast, flat, out and back along the scenic lakes and beautiful Weiser State Forest.
Both the 5K and the half marathon races follow out-and-back courses that start and finish at the Route 54 parking area in Bear Gap, which lies between the two small towns of Elysburg and and Mount Carmel. From there, runners make their way along the roads that wind along the reservoir lakes inside this 9,000-acre park, one of 16 tracts that make up the Weiser State Forest in what is known as the ridge and valley region of eastern Pennsylvania.
The course for the half marathon is mostly fast and flat through the Roaring Creek Tract, and takes runners both along the shores of the lakes inside the park as well as on trails through its densely wooded forests.
The race gets its name from the species of aquatic salamander known as the hellbender, which are native to the hills and mountains of the eastern U.S., and can grow to as much as two feet long. Because they breathe through their skin, they require healthy, pristine, unpolluted streams and creeks to survive.
Due to development and urbanization over recent decades, however, many of their habitats have become fouled and their numbers have drastically declined — they’re just one of the many species the race organizers hope to benefit over the long term with their efforts here.
Falcon Race Timing has teamed up with the RCVCA to help promote clean water in the state forest and surrounding Roaring Creek Watershed. Proceeds with help benefit RCVCA.
LESS
No muss, no fuss
If you want a low key race, this is for you. The course is a mostly flat, dirt/crushed rock path through the watershed, which means it is very scenic and … MORE
If you want a low key race, this is for you. The course is a mostly flat, dirt/crushed rock path through the watershed, which means it is very scenic and shady. There isn’t many opportunities for spectators or cheering fans, and there aren’t DJs blasting music at the aid stations, but the course is simple and everything is well done. At the end there was a great lunch spread with subs (hoagies to anyone who is from this area of PA) fruit, chips and these amazing raisin cookies. Great summer race!
A Hellbender of a Half
The Hellbender Half Marathon (and an associated 5K) is held in Weiser State Forest in Central Pennsylvania to raise funds for the Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association, which promotes clean … MORE
The Hellbender Half Marathon (and an associated 5K) is held in Weiser State Forest in Central Pennsylvania to raise funds for the Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association, which promotes clean water in the state forest and the surrounding Roaring Creek Valley, thus the name of the race.
At exactly 8:30 we lined up at the starting line and were off, running through the woods on a wide dirt path. Bill and I decided to run together in this race. Our speedy friend was out of sight in no time.
The path we were on was fairly flat at some places and gently rolling in others. Bill and I both thought there were more downhills than uphills for the first miles of the race, and I made a mental note to save something for the end of the out-and-back course, reasoning the end of the race would be mostly uphill.
One very nice feature of the course was that it was 90% shaded, a much-needed perk on this very hot and humid morning.
To read the rest of the race report please go here:
https://meditationsinmotion.wordpress.com/2019/08/25/the-hellbender-half-marathon/