A Ghost Town Trail Challenge

August 22nd was the 5th Annual Ghost Town Trail Challenge. What is the Ghost Town Trail Challenge? It is a challenge of the body and the mind. Participants run, walk or a combination of the both along a slight upgrade towards Ebensburg.

The race consists of three distances: 12k, 25k, and 50k. The 12k (7.5 miles) starts in Nanty-Glo. The 25k (16 miles) begins at the Wehrum Trail Head. The 50k (32 miles) starts at Saylor Park in Blairsville. Along the way there are small stops for food and drink. There are also bicycle patrols who check on challenge participants during the event.

Almost Canceled…

2020 has not been kind to events, gatherings and races this year. The Path of the Flood was one such canceled race. The Ghost Town Trail Challenge was nearly another victim of 2020. Originally slated to happen on the Summer Solstice (June 20th), the event was moved back to August.

The Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority worked diligently to make this event happen. Following all the ever changing guidelines to ensure participants’ and volunteers’ safety was no easy task. As a participant I feel like they accomplished this task well.

The Ghost Town Trail Challenge Begins

The start area looked a little different than other years. One of the safety steps was a mask requirement. While we waited to begin, we were asked to try to space out and wear a mask. Once the race began and we could be six feet apart we could remove our masks.

At 9:15 the 12k began. Off our group went! The 25k began at 8:30 and the 50k began at 7:00.

The weather was decent for race day. I would have preferred it a few degrees cooler. In the shade it wasn’t too hot. Thankfully many of my 7.5 miles were shaded. I was not as prepared for this race as I was the past two years. Normally I run in the Path of the Flood race which takes place a few weeks before this one. Since the PotF was canceled this year I wasn’t as prepared.

Finish Line

While I wasn’t quite physically or mentally ready I still competed. I feel pretty good about my finish time. It was only about 4 minutes off last years time.

I feel this race is important for the community. The Ghost Town Trail was voted Pennsylvania’s 2020 Trail of the Year by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This race draws attention to the trail and helps to raise much needed funds. All proceeds of the Challenge go to the Friends of the Trails program.

Interested in finding out more about events on our local trails? Visit the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority. In need of footwear, clothing or gear to enjoy the trail? Visit Up-N-Running Ebensburg. I stopped in and got my lovely running shoes just this past week. Up-N-Running is a great store operated by Julie and Kevin Doyle. They will help with fitting and gait analysis.

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