I’m of the opinion that races should be completely judged on amenities. Sure there are other factors that play into putting on a great competitive event (the course itself, how well the course is marked, prizes and swag etc.) but really at the end of the day the thing that separates a race from just a large gathering of people who like to run or ride is what you get for your money. I’ve been to some clunker races where there was no food, no music and no freebies that left me wondering what I got for my $25. The R-U-N (Are You In?) Park City Mini Trail Series definitely gives you your money’s worth.
In its first year, The Park City Mini Trail Series was created by race director Rhielle Widders to fill the void of a regular trail running race series. Trail running is a huge part of the community here in Utah but Rhielle felt that there are not enough opportunities for short track competition among the dirt runners on the Wasatch Front. Thus the PC MTS was born. Across three events (5k, 10k and 15k) the PC MTS caters to all levels of runners; completely beginner friendly while still offering a challenge for the more experienced trail runner. Each event is held at the trails at Round Valley allowing for each event to have a common thread but still offer a different course at each race.
I was among the 95 runners who lined up on Saturday July 10th for the 10k event. As I mentioned, everything was top notch. Arriving at Quinn’s trailhead and heading over to the registration tent to pick up my bib, I was pretty pumped to receive a pint glass loaded with swag and coupons to local businesses and shops. After the race I had a discussion with a fellow trail runner about the best swag to receive at a race. Too many RD’s rely on the tech t-shirt. Let’s face it, they’re cheap to produce and screen and on paper they seem like a great giveaway item. But once you have the race day tech T, rarely do you ever wear it for running due to the quality, which really then makes it useless because, as we all know, when you wear synthetic materials even casually they become very, very stinky. We agreed that the best race day swag was either the cotton race t-shirt (guaranteed to be worn again) or the pint glass. I don’t think anyone here would deny that those of us who recreate in the mountains are a beer-drinking sort so the pint glass is a safe bet to please us.
(Quick tangent on that point for a second for those of you who think that it’s cool to wear your synthetic shirts out and about: within a few hours you will stink and offend those around you. I was at a movie in Park City the other night and the dude in front of me was wearing some sort of slick looking synthetic shirt. There was no denying the power of his BO. Moreover, his poor wife was pregnant and in her first trimester, not the time that you want to be around bad odors. If the place hadn’t been packed we definitely would have changed seats. So people, don’t think you can out smell a synthetic shirt. Save it for the trail or leave it in the drawer. Ok, back to the race).
In addition to the great swag there was plenty of food and water to fuel up before heading out for the 10k. About fifteen minutes before our scheduled 8am start time Rhielle gathered us all for a few pre-race announcements before we all made our way to the starting line to start running. The sound of an air horn later and we were off.
The course was a modified lollipop, out and around a loop before coming back the same way you went out. Only there was an added piece of trail that took us off of the stick of the lollipop. Starting at Quinn’s trailhead we took off on some double track that allowed the field to spread out quickly. The runners at the front (including the eventual winner who would go on to run the course in a blistering 37:31) were quickly out sight. Pretty sure if you wired a flux capacitor to those guys they would have been partying with Doc Brown in 1955.
For those unfamiliar with Round Valley, the trails pack quite a punch in a small amount of area. Even though we started out on double track the race quickly turned to single track with rolling elevation. RD Rhielle did a great job of keeping the course on terrain that could be enjoyed by runners of all abilities. Round Valley can be sneaky hard as evident to me in a recent mountain bike ride there. Before you know it you are climbing and climbing and than descending through enough technical terrain that would make an east coaster quiver. While all of the trails are great, the racers at the PC MTS 10k got a good taste of the network without blowing themselves out. At the bottom of this article you’ll find the trails that were covered during the race. I highly recommend getting the most up to date Park City trail map and connecting the dots.
As for my race, being that it was held about 10 days after landing in Utah I’m happy to report that I had a great time and my gimpy Boston lungs didn’t hold me back at all. The course was marked at each mile and despite some discrepancies between the signs and my Garmin 305 I fell into a groove early on and kept pace with those in front of me until turning it up a bit at the finish. I crossed the line 20th overall and 2nd in my age group. Not bad for a flatlander who was fresh off the boat.
I can’t recommend the PC MTS enough. The event was everything you’d want from a running race and more and I can’t wait to see what else is in store from the crew at R-U-N? Events.
Lastly, I’m re-thinking my moniker as the Salt Lake City Trail Running Newbie. It’s misleading as I’m not new to trail running, just Salt Lake. To that end we’re running a contest to rename my space on UtahOutside.com and the winner gets a free entry into the PC MTS 15k on August 15th at 8am. Get creative, get sarcastic, but definitely get your submission in by Friday August 6th so you can enjoy a great event!
For more information on R-U-N? Events and the PC MTS Min-Trail series go to www.r-u-nevents.com.
Looking for directions to Round Valley? Here you go:
From Kimball Junction: Take SR-224 into Park City. Take a left onto Kearn’s Blvd. Continue East almost until you reach the freeway. Take a left on Round Valley Way, like you are going to the hospital. Instead of going to the hospital, you will take a left and drive around the dog park and into Quinn’s Recreation Area.
From Highway 40: Take I-80 and to SH-40 (if you are coming from Salt Lake City, you will pass the Kimball Junction Exit). Go east on SH-40. Take the second exit for Park City. Take the first right, like you are going to the hospital. Instead of going to the hospital, take a left onto Round Valley Way. You will pass the dog park as you enter Quinn’s Recreation Area.
To recreate the PC MTS 10k hit up White Pine Touring, Jan’s, Cole Sport or most any other outdoor dealer and pick up the Park City Summer Trail map. Than link up the following trails:
Fastpitch
Matt’s Flat
Cammy’s
Quarry Road
Rademan Ridge
Round Valley Express
Cammy’s
Matt’s Flat
Fastpitch
Hat Trick
Fastpitch – Finish!