BLUE HILLS TRAIL RACES: DISCONTINUED AS OF 2022
THANK YOU, for your past support of the Blue Hills Trail Races. With regret, we have decided to discontinue this event, which we had hoped to resume this coming April after the COVID-related cancellations in 2020 and 2021.
The main reason for reaching this decision is the lack of sufficient parking at our race site, next to the Trailside Museum on Route 138. The Route 138 parking area (including the lots both north and south of the Museum) is the principal public access to the Great Blue Hill section of the Blue Hills Reservation. Ever since we started the Blue Hills Trail Races in 2006, parking has always been “tight,” and is the reason we had to limit race registration to 250 entrants.
The parking issue has become more serious in recent years, for the best of reasons. The Reservation’s popularity has increased, as more and more people in the Boston area have experienced the Reservation’s outstanding natural and recreational resources. Public use has surged much more since the COVID pandemic began in 2020.
As a result of the increase in public use, we don’t think that there would be enough parking for our participants, if we were to resume the Blue Hills Trail Races in 2022. Therefore, we have concluded that we should discontinue the event.
Please note that the Houghton’s Pond Trail Races WILL continue to be held, with the 2022 event tentatively scheduled for October 2nd. The Houghton’s Pond parking lots are much larger than those at the Trailside Museum, so we don’t face the same issue at Houghton’s Pond, even with the increased public usage in recent years.
Best wishes,
John Goldrosen, Colonial Road Runners
Race Director
Place
Blue Hills Trailside Museum
Milton, MA US 02186
Description
LOCATION:
DCR Blue Hills Reservation
Blue Hills Trailside Museum
1904 Canton Avenue (Route 138)
Milton, MA
DIRECTIONS
Start and finish are next to the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. From Route 93 (Rt. 128): take Exit 2 to Rt. 138 North (“Milton”). Follow Rt. 138 for 1.2 miles to the parking lots for the Trailside Museum and the Blue Hills Ski Area (use either parking lot).
THE COURSES
Come run on miles of beautiful trails in the scenic DCR Blue Hills Reservation, just south of Boston. The well-marked courses follow dirt roads and forest paths, except for a short paved section at the start of the races.
There are two distance options:
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The 10-Mile "FOX TROT" offers a mix of double and single-track trails with some challenging hilly and rocky stretches. There are three water stops. NOTE: Due to time limits on our use of the site, runners entered in this race should be able to maintain a 16:00-per-mile pace (2:40 finish time).
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The 3-Mile "BUNNY HOP" is recommended for new or less-experienced trail-runners. This course offers easier terrain on wide paths--but this is still a trail race, with plenty of small rocks and tree roots along the way! There is one water stop.
REGISTRATION
Due to state permit restrictions, REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 250 RUNNERS, and ALL RUNNERS MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED. There is NO race-day registration. Entries are non-transferable and non-refundable.
COST
This is a low-frills race (no T-shirts or trophies), but with a price to match! The registration fee is just $12 (plus the service fee). Additional donations are greatly appreciated. All profits from the races are donated to the MassAudubon Blue Hills Trailside Museum, to support its nature-education programs for children.
FOR SAFETY'S SAKE
Due to the narrow trails, dogs are not allowed, and we request that you do not use headphones.
AWARDS
Overall winners in each race receive Marathon Sports gift certificates and loaves of home-baked banana bread. Age-group winners receive chocolate-chip cookies.
REFRESHMENTS
Post-race refreshments include soda, juice, bananas, and trail-race munchies (cookies, chips, pretzels, etc.)
