~100 kilometers in 15 hours of sunlight on the longest day of the year.

Last year's addenda can be ignored. At least on the section we previewed today (6/14) from Conowingo through Peach Bottom, the trails have since been corrected to reflect the turn sheets. One development, though, is the hill preceding the Boy Scout Camp (just after the Broad Creek bridge). After you turn off the road, you'll be able to follow the trail across the face of the hill for maybe a hundred yards or so, at which point the trail turns right up the hill. You'll see immediately that this area is being logged--it looks like a disaster zone at this point--and the trail is no longer visible. Not a problem! Simply proceed up the hill to the top and follow the logging road [read, clearcut swath] straight over. You'll pass through a cleared area where the tractors are parked; then, keeping the fenced camp to your left, proceed ahead through two or three sections of pine (set between the road and the camp) and you'll arrive at the next water drop (#3).

Water Drops

Map 6:

#1 - mile 4 - Conowingo/ Rt 1 (pool parking area)

#2 - mile 9 - Glen Cove (behind the ice machine, between the two buildings)

#3 - mile 14 - Boy Scout Camp (just before exiting to the road)

Map 5:

#4 - mile 25 - Stark Moon Kayak store, Cold Cabin Rd. (drop bags possible)

#5 - mile 32 - 449 Slab Rd. Slab and McKinley (Dumas residence, just outside of picket fence)

#6 - mile 38 - Lock 12 parking lot (aid station #1 / drop bags)

#7 -- mile 46 (?) - Spring in bamboo grove (unsure if map 5 or 4: artesian well between Lock 12 and Otter Creek drops)

Map 4:

#8 - mile 50 -Otter Creek Campground (aid station #2 / general store, open till 8pm)

#9 - mile 54 -Shenks Ferry Rd. (just before crossing Shenk's Ferry Rd, in bushes)

#10 - mile 61 - Greenbranch Rd. (first house has water hose at corner). This is prior to last climb, escarpment, and descent to Fishing Creek.

Things you'll need:

--Three (nos 4-6) maps from the M-D set.
--Driver's license (Peachbottom security)
--Hydration pack (recommended minimum of 2L [70 oz] water/fluid).

--Cell phone -- Scattered coverage, but well worth carrying, I think). Please consider this option; we can print out a list of others with cells so each can, if necessary, attempt contact with others. There is no cell coverage at the terminus, btw; can't remember if there is at the start.

MDLD 100K Challenge 2008 Results (runners' race reports and photos to follow shortly)

The third Mason-Dixon Longest Day 100k Challenge was run Sat. June 21, a day of clear, warm weather. There were eight starters--three finishers--and several others running various shorter distances between start and finish. The eight runners, and Brigitte Sheehan, set out at sunrise; none opted for the civil twilight start/finish which extends run time by about an hour. In addition to water drops, there was one drop bag location (Staark Moon Kayak Store, mile 25), and two manned aid stations (Lock 12 and Otter Creek Campground, miles 38 and 50, resp.). As he had last year, Nate Regouski placed additional drops--an arduous task--kindly inviting others to share his provisions. Four of the runners had support crew in cars. Traildawgs Pete McLaughlin, Phil Nissen, Hunt Bartine, and Roxanne and Dave Strine took care of the aid stations.

Congratulations to all the 2008 runners!

2008 Reports: Jen Ericson | Howard White | Nate Regouski

Jen Erickson's photos | Brett Pfleiger's photos

Must read: Jaret Seiberg's race report from 2007. Some photos from Hunt, 2007.

Hunt's report from 2006. | Paul's photos from 2006

Contact: Hunt Bartine or Paul Melzer

To quote from one of the 2007 runners, Nate Regouski:

For what it's worth, this race was the most inspiring I have ever run - I would even dare say spiritual (and I am not a relgious person). The route is along the most beautiful part of the Susquahana, and the wide variety of terrain and landscapes is unbelievable. The challenging trail, footing, and hills, all make it spectacular.