‘Moose Mountains Trail Race’ got enthusiastic response

Thanks to Kari Lyggren, Dan Coons, and Jason Denver for these photos of the 2019 Trail Race!

The first annual Moose Mountains Trail Race took place on June 1 at Branch Hill Farm in Milton Mills, NH with an enthusiastic assortment of runners eager to try out a new scenic 10K course. The Trail Race organizing committee was pleased with the turnout of 26 participants for the first iteration of this fundraiser benefiting MMRG.

The first place male finisher was 24-year-old top regional runner Cameron Cook of Dover, NH who finished the 10K course with a time of 37:39.  The top female winner was another experienced racer from York, ME, Deanna Ruland, at 54:15. Participants ranged in age from thirteen to sixty, with times up to 1:45:30.

Locals who ran the race include Jonathan Miller (Sanbornville; 40:21), Jason Denver (Sanbornville; 42:26),  Deborah Miller (Sanbornville; 54:45),  Julie Adams (Wolfeboro; 55:17), Barbara Malm (Sanbornville; 56:14), Thomas Zotti (Wolfeboro; 59:09), Paul Haines (Wolfeboro; 1:05:51),  Kaylie Tek (Wolfeboro; 1:11:7), and Kelly Colby (Milton; 1:14:24).

Therewas much enthusiasm expressed by racers for the event as a whole and for therace course,  which traversedfields and woods roads, with one particularly scenic section following theBranch River. Kaylie Tek remarked that“the event was very well organized and the course was beautiful.”  Others commented “thanks for the greatevent!” and “loved it!”

MMRG Board Chair Nicole Csiszer volunteered at the raceand expressed appreciation for the many people who helped out, saying “Therewas a bunch of really good volunteers who showed up early and braved mosquitoes,wet grass and mud to helpmake the event run smoothly. Sarah Canney in particular did a great joboverseeing the race and taking charge of the registration and timing.”

The Moose Mountains Trail Race was presented by MMRG in partnership with Branch Hill Farm (BHF), on a route traversing conservation land owned by BHF, a portion of which is open to the public year-round – the Siemon Access property on Applebee Road. The event will help raise funds to create a continuous regional greenway, connecting existing pathways and developing new trail systems to increase recreational opportunities in the Moose Mountains region. Topo Athletics donated the winners’ athletic shoes prizes; Cabot Cheese, Darn Tough, Grandy Oats and LL Bean donated other prizes; Trager Massage and the Pink House donated food items and ice cream certificates.