Club eyes new Sinnemahoning 50K

* Bucktail Path map (not of race route) * About Bucktail Path
* History of Cameron County * More about Bucktail Path (from KTA)

EMPORIUM, Pa., Nov. 6, 2012 — A group of dedicated volunteers, in conjunction with the Potomac Highlands Distance Club, aims to put a second ultra marathon on the 2013 club calendar in Emporium, Pa., in Cameron County. The race site is located about 2.5 hours north of Altoona and two hours north of State College. The race date is yet to be determined, but there is a consensus that it take place on the third weekend in October 2013.

A working name is the Sinnemahoning 50K, 25K and 2-person relay, although like almost everything, even the name has yet to be finalized. What is known, however, is that the course will generally be a single-loop course, start in or near downtown Emporium and include much of the Bucktail Path in Elk State Forest.

The name Sinnemahoning means “Stony Lick” in the Lenape language.

Race committee members include Craig Hudson, Tina Johns Solak, Nelson Haas, Bob Martin and Lynn Newcomer. They have decided that proceeds from the race will benefit one or more Cameron County charities but have not yet finalized that choice. The club will handle timing, race-day photography, video and post-race news releases, among other things.

Runners familiar with the club’s Fire on the Mountain 50K (pres. by Sheetz), held annually among 47,000 acres in Green Ridge State Forest in far western Maryland, will also like this new event. Read what Ben Crame, of State College, had to write about the Bucktail Path:

“One long-distance trail that offers extra loneliness and solitude, even for wild Pennsylvania, is the Bucktail Path in Cameron County, which quietly meanders 34 miles from Sizerville State Park north of Emporium to Sinnemahoning on Route 120.

The hills and plateaus of Cameron County have seen little activity since the heyday of logging, mining, and railroading in the first half of the twentieth century. As the crow flies, most of the Bucktail Path isn’t very far from Route 120 and Emporium, but the hills are alive with solitude due to their inaccessibility to all forms of travel except walking. Some veteran Pennsylvania backpackers have reported hiking the entire 34 miles of the trail, over several days, without seeing other people. This is a long and lonely trail, but in the best of fashions.”

Should be a great time all around. Entry fees will be reasonable, especially considering it is to be a fundraising event. Entry for the 50K is $60 while entry for the 25K or 50K 2-person relay will be $40 per runner.