The 31st annual Smith's Challenge Trail Run will be held on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, at Lancaster County Central Park. Registration will be open from 8 to 8:45 a.m. at Pavilion 2, 1055 Rockford Road, Lancaster, and the run will begin at 9 a.m.
Two courses will be available: a 5-mile route intended for women and a 7-mile route intended for men. Runners may register for either course, but prizes will be awarded to men on the longer route and women on the shorter. Both routes will take runners on trails, paved roads, a riverbed, and grass, with an optional covered bridge crossing. There will be a supported water crossing complete with photographers.
Smith's Challenge was named for Bill Smith, who founded the Lancaster Road Runners Club more than 40 years ago. The men's race was started to celebrate Father's Day.
"It is an intense trail race which varied in length throughout the years of running. It was and still is intended for men only to celebrate Father's Day," said race director Tim Good. "Ten years after the inception of the men's race came 'Mrs. Smith's,' a women-only race on Mother's Day. Five years ago, I took over directing these races and combined them. I selected Father's Day to run them to maintain the 'men-only' continuity."
Both races will start at the same time. Runners will line up to face each other 100 feet from the starting line. After the starting pistol is fired, the two groups will run through each other and follow their respective routes to the top of a hill, where they will begin running together before splitting at Golf Road. That pattern will continue, with several course diversions before the two groups join up one final time and finish together.
Smith's Challenge will be held rain or shine. Snacks and beverages will be provided to registered finishers. Club hats will be available to commemorate the event. Runners must be at least 10 years old to enter. There is a cost to participate, with a reduced rate offered to those who register by Thursday, June 13. Folks may register at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Lancaster/SmithsChallengeTrailRun or by downloading an application at http://www.lrrclub.org.
For more information, readers may visit the club's website or contact Good at 717-823-3343 or tgood@lrrclub.org.
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