Shenipsit Striders

running around north central Connecticut

Soapstone Mountain Trail Races
Sunday, May 20th, 2012, 9am

Race #6 of the 2012 Grand Tree Trail Race Series

SPONSOR: The Shenipsit Striders, a member club of the Road Runner's Club of America.

LOCATION: Reddington Rock Riding Club (RRRC), Handel Road, Stafford Springs, CT

COURSES: Primarily in the Shenipsit State Forest; both courses cover varying quality dirt roads, unused logging roads, narrow footpaths and a rocky streambed. The Sampler is a shorter, less rugged version that features a handicap start.

WARNING: The courses include a number of steep, rocky, slippery or otherwise treacherous areas. Though injuries have been few and minor during the races history, a serious injury is possible. Because parts of the long course are relatively inaccessible, it is possible that an injured runner might have to wait an hour or more for emergency medical care.

Please don't enter if you are not prepared to accept responsibility for yourself and these risks.

SERVICES: Water will be available at 3 or more checkpoints on the long race. Free camping in the RRRC campground Saturday night for registered (please email the RD); pre-entrants only. There are no changing or shower facilities. Computerized timing and results.

LONG COURSE CUT-OFF TIMES: Checkpoint 2 (10.5k) 2 hrs Checkpoint 3 (~18.5k) 3 hrs

ENTRY FEES (non-refundable):
Long course (24k): $20 pre-entry / $25 day of race
Sampler (6k): $10 pre-entry / $15 day of race

BENEFITS:
Proceeds will be shared with the
Northern Connecticut Land Trust
and Connecticut Forest & Parks Association.

REGISTRATION: Registration for the 2012 Soapstone Races opens on February 1st, 2012.

LAST YEAR'S WINNERS:
Long Course:
MEN: Jim Johnson 1:36:30
WOMEN: Annie Wyman 2:29:14
Sampler: Hal Bennett

SOUVENIRS: Distinctive organic cotton T-shirts available for $15.00. Guarantee yours by pre-registering. A limited number will be available for day of race registrants.

PICNIC:
A fantastic vegetarian picnic will follow.
Free to participants; $5 donation family & friends.

AWARDS: Unique trophies go to the top finisher(s) in each age-group division in the long course. The number of trophies for each division will be based on the number of pre-entrants in each. A division must have at least two entrants for a trophy to be given. Similar trophies go to the first three finishers in the Sampler.

DIRECTIONS:

Reddington Rock Riding Club, 90 Handel Rd, Stafford Springs, CT

From Hartford and points South and West
I-84 East Exit 67 (Rte 31)
Left at end of ramp onto Rte 31
North at intersection
Turn right onto Rte 30 East
Follow Rte 30 for 1.6 miles
Turn left to continue on Rte 30 for 3.5 miles
Bear left onto Burbank Rd just after town line
At light go straight across Burbank becomes Gulf Rd
Turn right onto Handel Rd
Reddington Rock Riding Club will be 1/2 mile up on your left

From Sturbridge and points East
I-84 West Exit 73 (Rte 190)
Turn right onto Rte 190
Follow Rte 190 for 10.4 miles
Turn left onto Rte 30
Turn right onto Handel Rd
Reddington Rock Riding Club is about 1 mile up on your right

From Springfield and points North
I-91 South Exit 47E (Rte 190)
Follow Rte 190 east for about 5 miles
Take a right onto Mountain Rd.
Continue on Mountain Rd after it changes to Gulf Rd.
After about 3 miles take a left onto Handel Rd
RRRC is about 1 mile on the left

View Larger Map

RACE DIRECTOR INFORMATION & VOLUNTEER CONTACT: