Have you run Boney Mountain?

Jeff, Gerard and I finally ran this tough course. Our goal was just to finish the half marathon under Two hours, and?? We did it.

Every event has its own personality and character. The Boney Mountain Half Marathon is a trail running classic, with superb single track trails, fantastic views, grueling climbs, and fast, fast downhills. The longer climbs are on the single track sections of the course, and the descents generally on roads or old road beds. This results in a challenging course with 2600' of elevation gain/loss, that -- for the fleet-footed -- can be very fast.

Jeff fineshed just on time.
There are two significant climbs. The big one starts in earnest around mile 6.8 on the Old Boney Trail. This is a little less than a mile past the Danielson aid station. From the low point on the course (295') in Big Sycamore Canyon at mile 5.5 to the high point of the course (1820') at mile 9.75, there is a gain of about 1700' and loss of about 175' in elevation.


The Old Boney climb is tough, no doubt. But you have to be careful not to overlook the nearly 700' of climb (and a little downhill) between mile 1.8 and mile 4. Early in the race, full of energy and charged with endorphins and adrenalin, it's easy to push this section too hard. Runners tend to be more tightly grouped, and a dynamic develops that pushes the pace.
We managed to avoid that trap, and other than slipping at the first creek crossing and almost diving for mud snails, my race went reasonably well.

The weather was about as good as it gets for a race -- cool and clear and without much wind. The trail was still damp from heavy rain earlier in the month, but there was almost no mud.