Friday, November 18, 2016
The Colebrook Chronicle
Page 19
Sports
SEVERANCE
THANKSGIVING RUN
The Severance Wilderness
3-Mile Trail Run has become a
North Country Thanksgiving
tradition, with runners tackling
a tough course through the Severance property on Jefferson
Road in Whitefield. From its
beginnings in 2003 with 21
entrants to now often host 60plus runners, the race draws
running enthusiasts and their
cheerleaders from all around the
North
Country,
including
Thanksgiving visitors to the
area. Held this year on Thursday, November 24, admission to
the run is a donation of nonperishable food items or cash, which
will be donated to the local food
pantry.
“This year promises to continue the tradition of wet, hard,
hilly running through the Sever-
ance wilderness,” said Kurt Severance, who founded the race
along with his brother Chris
Severance, both former outstanding White Mountains Regional
High School runners. “The trails
are largely wide and open, but
what makes this challenging is
that the footing ranges from
hard-packed gravel to logging
roads to rocky, ankle twisting
ground.” Sections of the trail are
wet, and some is very wet. Given
the time of year, the course may
be snow-covered, and snowshoe
entrants are always welcome.
The weather is unpredictable,
with one year providing a sunny,
55-degree temperature for the
start and another year offering
bitter cold, wind and snow. “We
will hold the race regardless of
the weather,” said Severance.
“Race amenities are few–you get
what you pay for! But water and
a warm camp fire will be provided at the finish, and my mom
is making pumpkin and cranberry bread to share with participants and their families.”
As Thanksgiving is always a
big hunting day, and the course
runs into the woods, runners
must wear red, orange or other
clearly visible colors.
Prizes will be awarded for
first, second, and fourth-place
finishes for men and women, and
the Carter Prize will be presented to the runner who complains the most. Awards include
an assortment of home-baked
goodies, including the famous
Albermarle County Fair apple
dumplings, pumpkin pie and
homemade fudge, all suitable for
bringing home to Thanksgiving
dinner.
The fire is going by 8 a.m.
with the race starting at 8:30
a.m. on Thanksgiving morning
at the Severance Wilderness
(also the home of John and Roxie
Severance), 554 Jefferson Road,
Whitefield. For more information
and to pre-register, contact Kurt
Severance at (781) 985-2256 or
racing@shnief.com.