The Escarpment Trail Run 2023
Escarpment Trail Run
The Escarpment Trail Run (ETR) is one of the oldest trail races in the United States, dating back to 1977. It is a rugged, technical 30 km race (18.6 miles) from Windham, NY to North Lake in Haines Falls. The course transverses six peaks of the Northern Catskill Mountains, known as the "Wall of Manitou." This year's race on July 30 was the 46th edition. Dick Vincent of Palenville, who started running in 1972, was introduced to trail running by his good friend Barry Hopkins. Hopkins thought it was ridiculous when Vincent suggested organizing a race over the Escarpment Trail. The more people told Vincent it was a bad idea, the more he wanted to do it. That first race in 1977 had 22 starters, with Paul Enright the winner in 3:26:20. Vincent won the second race in 1978 in 3:06:20.
Vincent makes it clear that this race is not for everyone. For anyone unprepared, this run is dangerous. To minimize the danger, there are qualifying standards. To enter the race, a person must run a marathon under 4 hours and 15 minutes, or complete an Ironman triathlon under 13 hours, or a 50-mile race under 10 hours.
I became intrigued by this race in 1982 when my friend Billy Glatz won it. Glatz set a new course record of 2:48:22. I said to Billy, "Maybe I will run it next year." I added that I would not run it hard. He replied, "Why would you do that and, if you run hard, expect to take a few out-of-control tumbles and hope that you don't get hurt".
I have often volunteered for this race, and this year, my job was to give out shirts, hats, and stickers. The race is limited to 175 starters that take off in "waves" every 5 minutes. The waves prevent crowding on the single-track trails and protect the plant growth along the route from being trampled. It takes 80 to 90 volunteers for this race to happen. Volunteers staff the Aid Stations, and the medical tent and provide refreshments. Aid Station volunteers must carry in all the supplies needed. I remember carrying eight gallons of water (64 pounds) to the North Point Aid Station on my back. The trek up was over 2 miles long, and sometimes, I had to pull myself up by grabbing onto rocks and roots. I teetered on the side of a cliff once and thought I was going to die. The fact that Vincent gets that many volunteers yearly is a testament to the respect the running community has for him. It also demonstrates the camaraderie that has developed among the volunteers.
The course record of 2:42:09 was set by four-time winner Lee Berube in 2018. The women's course record is an astounding 3:07:22 by four-time winner Cassy Bradley-Byrne in 1999. The “King” of the ETR, in terms of most wins, is 13-time winner Ben Nephew. His 2:45:20 in 2004 was the course record until Berube’s win in 2018. Recently on the women's side, the race has been dominated by four-time winner Michelle Merlis. Last year Merlis represented the USA in the World Mountain Championships held in Thailand.
Through the years, other local winners, besides Glatz and Vincent, have been Mike Halstead and Mike Kelly. Local women winning have been five-time winner Sheryl Wheeler and four-time winner Jean Kerr. Sandra Arvidson won in 1981, and B.J Jerkowski in 1977.
Another legend of the race is Rich Fargo, who won the race eight times with four second-place finishes. Fargo exemplifies the attitude espoused by Billy Glatz that you come to the Escarpment to challenge yourself. He has run the race 27 times with 25 finishes under 4 hours. Paul Gstander, now 69, has finished the race 38 times.
The 2023 race had 179 finishers, with Ja Shua Reid from Colorado the winner in 2:51:33 and Michelle Merlis the women's winner in 3:24:58. Top local finisher was Ian Shultis (Poughkeepsie) 4th overall in 3:12:24. The top local female was Earlton's Sheryl Wheeler in 4:12:38.
Congratulations to Dick Vincent, who according to Road Race Management is the longest-serving trail race director in the USA. Amby Burfoot, who won the Boston Marathon in 1968, and ran the ETR called it "the Boston Marathon of trail racing".