Mountain series annual recaps - Updated

2019 USATF New England
Mountain Running Circuit

The USATF NE mountain series concluded at Waterville Valley which also hosted the USA mountain running championships and the selection race for the USA mountain running team.  The series was scored in a “best 6 of 8” format.  In all 216 men and 131 women took part in the series.  109 runners attained “Goat” status by completing 6 or more of the 8 races.  This entitles them to a lottery by-pass for the 2020 Mt Washington road race.

Champions were determined by totaling points earned with the best six counting. The points were determined based on the finisher's percent behind the winner (Example: the winner runs 1:00:00 and Runner-X runs 2:00:00. Runner-X gets 50 points). Women were scored based on the winning woman's time to give them equivalent scores to the men.

On the men’s Todd Callaghan (CMS) picked up his second consecutive title with 555.15 points.  Teammate Steve Brightman finished a heartbreaking .9 points behind for second place.  Steve did amass the most “totals points” with 716.59 over eight races which included a win at Mount Greylock.

On the women’s side Kassandra Marin (aR) picked up her second consecutive title as well with 591.93 points.  Kassandra was the top USATF finisher at Sleepy Hollow, Wachusett, Loon, and Greylock.  Freddi Tribak (TG) was the point total leader with 624.06 over 8 races, she also was tops in the 40-59 age group.

The team titles were scored using the point totals for five finishers scoring in the open category (men) and three scoring in the age groups and women’s open.  The Central Mass Striders (CMS) took home first place in the Men’s Open, Men’s 40+, and Men’s 50+ team categories.  Syracuse track club topped the Men’s 60+.  The Western Mass Distance Project women won in the open.  GLRR took the 40+, and acidotic Racing topped the 50+.  The 60+ was won by the Central Mass Striders.

Women
Open: Kassandra Marin, WRT, 591.93; 40+ Freddie Triback, TG, 478.81; 50+ Karen Encarnacion, WMDP, 484.08; 60+ Mary Sharkey, CMS 401.66; 60+ Elaine Dill, CMS, 360.48

Men
Open: Todd Callaghan, CMS, 555.15; 40+ Todd Callaghan, CMS, 555.15; 50+ Steve Brightman, CMS, 554.05 ; 60+ Todd Baum, Syracuse TC 438.50; 70+ Allan Bates, GMAA 409.72; 80+ Gary Reuter, aR, 298.00


2018 USATF New England
Mountain Running Circuit

Mountain series history - updated

Moutain series history

The USATF Mountain circuit was founded in 1996 as a way to get runners to enjoy the distinct aspects of various mountain races in New England.  The number of races and dates they have been held have changed on occasion and a few races have been added or removed over the years.  Scoring has always been based on the winner’s time, with the winner receiving 100 points and all others receiving points based on their percentage behind the winner’s time. 

Dave Dunham was involved with USATF since the late 80’s (when it was still known as TAC) working as an athlete’s rep. on the New England board.  After traveling to Europe for a couple of years to race in the mountains he began wondering why there wasn’t any real organization to the many mountain races in his own backyard.  Dave took it upon himself and approached the race directors and asked them to be part of a circuit, and so it began.  He was in charge of the series from 1996-2001.  From 2002 to 2005 Richard Bolt took control and from 2006 to present the circuit has be ably managed by Paul Kirsch.

The USATF New England circuit champions in the