HAPPY EQUINOX!
On Monday morning, March 20 at 6:29 a.m. the Vernal Equinox will mark the official first day of Spring! This is the moment that the sun crosses the celestial equator – – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator — this is the day when there are 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.
But on June 17, there is another Equinox – – the Bucks County Road Runners Equinox is returning and Gregg Holst has stepped up to be Race Director this year!
WHAT IS THE BCRR EQUINOX?
The Equinox 2017!
You may have a dream of running 10 miles for the first time in your life. Or twenty, or 13.1. Perhaps you endeavor to complete the marathon distance of 26.2 miles or even run your first 50K ultramarathon. On Saturday, June 17, all BCRR members will have the opportunity to achieve your Personal Running Goals on a beautiful wooded trail, with plenty of support, food and beverages, along with zero cost. For twelve hours, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., in the comforting confines of Washington Crossing State Park, on a very runnable five mile trail loop, you can run to achieve your dream.
The Equinox is a club-sponsored, fully supported, (no entry fee) event which was founded in 2008 by former BCRR VP Chris Mortensen and Former BCRR President and former Winter Series Director Bob Curci.
During the day you may run, walk, and rest according to YOUR personal plan. The event is designed to enable you to run a five mile trail loop as many times as you desire over twelve hours. There will be at least one nutrition/beverage pit stop on the course, plenty of volunteers to help persuade you to run further and after the completion of each five mile loop, you can rest, eat, drink and nap at the Green Grove pavilion where we will have a wide variety of “ultra-proven” foods, including salted potatoes, watermelon, ice, Swedish Fish, (and pickle juice). You can also use this rest stop to change shoes, take selfies, drink beer, sleep, or all of the above.
The course will be well-marked with our traditional colorful pie plates. In the first edition in 2008, three hearty BCRR runners completed fifty miles. But this is not just for Ultrarunners! This event is specifically for YOU and your goals. We have had first time mileage achievements of 10, 15, 20, 26.2 (Marathon), 31 (50K) and fifty miles. All BCRR members welcome! All ages!
The spirit of the Equinox has always been non-competitive with volunteers supporting participants and runners supporting each other as well. It is a unique and very special day that you will always remember. The post-run BBQ is also a blast and in 2012 was taken to another level by RD Breandan Nemec.
We hope to see you on June 17th! If you plant to participate please use the RunSignUp link on the BCRR website. There is no charge but we will need you to sign up and sign a waiver.
The History of the BCRR Equinox – by Chris Mortensen
From 2008 through 2011, Chris Mortensen and Bob Curci were Race Directors for the BCRR Equinox. From 2012 through 2015, Breandan Nemec continued the tradition as RD. Last year, the Equinox took a vacation. But thanks to our trail mentor and new RD Gregg Holst we will hold the 2017 edition on Saturday, June 17.
For eight years, The Equinox has been an integral part of the clubs summer and we are happy to continue the tradition this year. We could tell you that the founders thought it would be clever to name it the opposite of the actual date (summer solstice) – “the Equinox” – tongue in cheek. But the fact is that they mixed up the names – -when they were informed that the longest day of the year was called the solstice they thought it was hilarious and decided to leave it because a) it was funny and b) “equinox” sounded tougher than “solstice”.
The event shall remain “The Equinox” and we remind all of our members that the name of the race was meant in good humor and we know it does not make any calendar sense… this is our disclaimer – we will not take responsibility for failed science tests.
So….
Welcome March Equinox and WELCOME BACK BCRR EQUINOX!
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