For those who want to test themselves beyond the 26.2 mile marathon distance that marks the ultimate accomplishment of most runners, the Long island Greenbelt Trail 50 Kilometer Run is the place to do it. The run will be held on Saturday, May 9, starting and finishing at the headquarters of the Greater Long Island Running Club on Dupont Street in Plainview.
Not everyone is up to the 50 Kilometer “ultra” distance, so the club will also be hosting a 25 kilometer run on the trail on that same day.
The 25k run will take the runners from the Running Club headquarters up the scenic and runner-friendly northern portion of the Greenbelt Trail from the Sunnyside Boulevard trailhead to the Cold Spring Harbor terminus of the trail and back. The 50 kilometer run will be a double out-and-back over the same course.
Whichever distance you choose, there will be plenty of well-stocked aid stations along the way to help keep you fueled.
The 50 kilometer run will start at 7:30 a.m. on May 9 and the 25 kilometer run will start at 8:30 a.m.
Running an ultra is definitely not for everyone, but 50 kilometers is well within the reach of anyone who has successfully completed a marathon. The 25 kilometer run is something that anyone who has successfully completed a half marathon is capable of doing. The fact that the event is held on the trails will make it an extra interesting experience. Remember—you never know what you are capable of until you try that extra distance.
For entry forms or more information, contact event director Nick Palazzo or Linda Ottaviano at 516-349-7646. You can register online at www.glirc.org.
