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The immense amount of energy, excitement, and pre-race butterflies present at Pequea Creek Campground was inescapable. Volunteers and participants of the Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Run began showing up in the afternoon on Friday, September 6, 2013 to set up their tents and prepare their minds for what was to come the next morning. Nature calls for "lights out" around 8 PM this time of year, but few people were setting up campfires (or complaining about an early bedtime), as everyone was prepared for the campground to overflow with the remaining trail runners, hikers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters at 4 AM the following morning.
In the pre-dawn chill on September 7, 375 participants made their way to the pavillion to check-in, huddle around steaming cups of coffee, and wait for the shuttle buses to depart at 6 AM. Some participants were quiet: sleepy, slightly nervous, or preparing themselves mentally for the daunting task ahead. Others gathered in pairs and small groups, with their pre-determined trail buddies, or reuniting with friends they've made on past trail runs. A handful of participants scrambled about, asking last-minute questions, stretching, making sure their packs and waterbottles were ready.
It was a picturesque day to take on this almost 30-mile challenge...sunny, beautiful, with a high of 70 degrees by early afternoon. No hurricanes or flooding like the 2011 Super Hike; no thunderstorms or tornado-watches like the 2012 Super Hike. Participants and volunteers alike were grateful for the lovely weather, as hundreds of trail runners and hikers maneuvered their way through the Lancaster and York backcountry.
Just over five hours later, Heather Ceresini, first finisher of this year's event, was spotted, and welcomed back with the encouraging sounds of whistles and applause as sponsors, volunteers, and spectators gathered around the finish line to cheer on her final steps. First place with a time of 5:04:15! Shortly thereafter, first male finisher Scott Newcomer, age 43, passed through the finish line, and was greeted with similar festivities and equal excitement by all witnesses, with a time of 5:18:12. Congratulations to our two top finishers, Heather and Scott!
With an 82% completion rate and differences of 8,000 feet in elevation throughout the course, this personal challenge event is no easy feat. This is why a special congratulations goes out to our youngest finisher, 17-year-old Kendra Leisher with a time of 9:14:54 and our oldest finisher, 79 -year-old Daryl Warren who clocked in at 10:02:52!
We received quite a bit of feedback post-event this year -- here is a sampling:
"I set the goal to come back to complete the Super Hike after I struggled in 2012 coming in after the 12 hour limit and I'm so happy I did. Coming through the finish line well ahead of the time limit this year was one of the best feelings of accomplishment."
"Thank you! This was my second time here. The support was great and placed where it needed to be on the course. Everyone was pleasant, helpful, and kind and I met some great participants. I hope to do it again."
"Awesome, Awesome, Awesome! I'll be back next year, and next year, I think I'm going to try and run it. Thanks again, and special thanks for all the volunteers, you are all spectacular!"
"This was my first event of any substantial length and I absolutely loved it! Everyone was very friendly and helpful! The volunteers were all cheerful and encouraging. There was plenty of food and water at the aid stations and the trails were well marked. I loved the low-key, friendly atmosphere! Keep up the good work."
"Thank you to all of the KTA members and volunteers who made last Saturday's race so fantastic. I was impressed last year and I was impressed this year. I'll be back!"
"Thank you for all your hard work in putting the Super Hike together. I had a great day! The course provided a very diverse terrain that was challenging and enjoyable."
"Please accept and pass on my most heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who spent time before, during, and after the Super Hike. It was a fantastic day, in large part to your and their efforts, and I cannot thank everyone enough. The course was fantastic and the support was amazing. All I can really say is "Wow!" And of course, see you next year!"
"The event was perfect! Perfect weather and KTA and the volunteers did a great job with well-marked and well-maintained trails. There were lots of volunteers and the checkpoints were perfectly spaced out. This is the most difficult trail challenge I participate in and I love it! There is a huge sense of accomplishment at the finish especially after you hit a wall at mile 22 and just keep pushing on. A big thanks to everyone who helped out at this great event! See you next year!"
This event would have been impossible to successfully pull off without the help of the 120 volunteers who contributed their time on September 6 and 7, and to those who maintained and blazed the course in the weeks and months before the event itself. Special thanks goes to those that crawled out of their sleeping bags at 4 AM Saturday morning to help with parking and registration in the cold and dark (with the help of gallons of fresh brewed coffee, of course!), to those that provided nourishment, guidance, transportation, or first-aid to hikers on or off the course, and to those that kept the finish line moving smoothly and efficiently recording times and handing out completion certificates...our event is made possible with your help! Thank you!
KTA extends a special thanks to the following key volunteers: Karen Ament, Sandy Ashenfelter, Karen Balaban, Jim Foster, Frank Geiger, Jim Hooper, Dan Klucar, Doug Kurtz, Kaira Loving, Leon Lutz, Dick Martin, Pamela Reel, Tim Schmidt, Lauren Simmons, Rob Shaw, Paul Shaw, Ron Small, Thyra Sperry, Roxanna Strine, Nelson Tome, Ken Wiggins, and Paul Yatabe.
A huge thank you to the following organizations and sponsors for helping make this great event possible: Backcountry Edge, Brogue Ambulance Company, Cash Advance Harrisburg, Clif Bar, Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club, Day Hikers of Central PA, Elete, DCNR, DJ Maggnolia, Hampton Inn-York, Lancaster County Conservancy, Lancaster Hiking Club, Mason Dixon Trail System, Middle Creek Search & Rescue, Nathan Frohm Design, Otter Creek Campground, Pequea Creek Campground, PPL, Red Rose Repeaters, Road ID, Sheetz, Susquehanna Bank, Susquehanna Valley Appalachian Trail Club, The Fractured Prune, Treks & Trails International, Turkey Hill, Valley to Summit, and York Hiking Club. |