One of the longest KTC races (only the CHKM and the Norris & CT 50k's are longer), it's also probably the most remote and offers some of the best scenery en route. It's also a favorite of long-distance trailsters all over the eastern half of the country. Bobby Glenn, race director, has done this race for years and always does a great job getting the course marked, arranging volunteers for check-in, staffing the aid station (it's at the start of the Grand Gap Loop so runners pass it twice: at 5 miles & 12.5 miles), and organizing catering for the post-race meal for the runners & volunteers. The weather was foggy & cold (low fifties) at the start but by mid-morning the skies cleared and when the runners began trickling down to the finish the temps were climbing rapidly, all the way into the mid-seventies. For the second time in three years there was an injury at the front of the field as Max Paquette, leading the race, turned his ankle 3½ miles in (two years ago Bobby Adams ripped his head open on a low-hanging tree branch and was forced to drop out). In this case, however, Max was able to continue the race and finished with an impressive time of 1:57:50.

As valiant as Max's post-injury effort was, it wasn't enough to win, as Ethan Coffey crossed the line first, in 1:56:00. Max did come in second, and Bradley Adams was third in 1:59:01. Mandy Meyer topped all women, with a time of 2:20:36, Amy Macintire was second in 2:27:05, and Laura Gearhiser hit the chute third and her time was 2:32:46.