BUZZARD'S A.C. MARATHON
Sunday March 16th 2008, 8:00 AM
INFO
Times and places, keep your own
Qualifications - Be enough of a Buzzard to show up. RATS are welcome to participate also, you never know when a Buzzard might need a little trail food.
AID
Aid - Bring your own, 2 or 3 bottles and some trail food recommended. We will try to have some minimal aid at the 15 mile point in Clark’s Valley. We might also have a vehicle there so that if you’re not up for the whole course you can catch a ride back to the start/finish. There is also the slight possibility that there will be no aid or no vehicle at 15, so come prepared. You will be informed as to the aid availability before we start the run. There is a reliable spring along the AT at Clark’s Valley so at the very least you will be able to refill your bottles
COURSE
Course will be on the Horse-Shoe and Appalachian trails in the Clark’s Valley area north of Dauphin, PA. The course consists of single track trail, fire road, railroad bed and no asphalt.
Course can easily be shortened ( or lengthened ) to suit your desire, details on race day. There will be maps and directions provided, trails are well blazed. (That’s what we thought the first year, but it seems that RATS have trouble reading course descriptions.)
Distance for the full loop is actually 26.2 miles. Plan on at least 4 to 7 hours to do the full loop. There are five gentle hills which will provide ample opportunity to walk and rest. Total elevation change is over four thousand feet.
DIRECTIONS
From the Harrisburg area go north on route 22/322 to the route 443 exit. Go north (away from the river) on route 443 for approx. 8 miles. You will pass the Fishing Creek School on your right, right after the school there will be a left turn onto a steep dirt road to the start/finish area. There is a Pa. Game Commission sign marking the turn. Need a point of reference? Link to this map, see the red star? From the red star, the game land parking lot entrance is at the end of the T, a little to the right (entrance on left/north side of road). Note: the address of the school is 1524 Pine Tree Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17112. Also note that the school is not located within the city of Harrisburg.
We will carpool from the Manheim Mt. Joy exit of rt. 283. Meet at 6:45 A.M. Exit rt 283 and turn right towards Manheim, go a few hundred yards and park in the open area on the right side of the road across from Breneman Road.
CONTACT
For more info or specific directions email Harry Smith at mailto: Trailbuzzard@aol.com or call 717-653-2015 Home 717-393-9641 ext. 1333 Work
AFTER
The unofficial post race HQ (after the parking lot) has been The Thoroughbred, located in nearby Grantville on Old Jonestown Road 717-469-7441 Race debriefing, mile split review, refueling, rehydrating, nascar-ing, jocularity and wing consumption have all been known to occur.
PAST BUZZARDS & OTHER...
Finishers of 100% all Buzzard Marathons
| Name | From | Finishes | Note |
| Harry Smith | Lancaster County, PA | 7 |
Buzzard |
| Leo Lutz | Lancaster County, PA | 7 |
Buzzard |
Articles
2002 VHTRC blurb (incl pic collage)
2003 by John Mackenzie, Margie Hughes
2006 - "one of the greatest fat ass runs on the planet"
2006 - Anne Daniels - Rest in a fine place, peacefully
See the collage, pictures, some chat and a report from a fine VHTRC member,
Pictures
General
Spend a night before/after: Holiday Inn, 604 Station Road Grantville, PA 17028 - closest option. Others: just search on Grantville PA ho/motels
The Thirstiness of the Long Distance Runner
