Newtown Runners Take On New Hampshire Challenge

By Nancy K. Crevier

Some people thrive on a challenge, and Karen Macknight is one of them. She grew up in Newtown, and along with her husband Kevin has raised her four children, Katie, Erin, Sarah, and Eric here. An avid runner, as is her husband, Ms Macknight was very excited when a fellow Appalachian Mountain Club member encouraged her to look into the Reach the Beach Relay in New Hampshire.

“I was at a training weekend [for the AMC] in New Hampshire this spring when another member asked me if I had heard of the relay. I had, but talking with him inspired me to put together a team this year,” said Ms Macknight.

The Reach the Beach Relay, which benefits New Hampshire State Parks, is a serious race. Teams of six or 12 runners cover widely varying terrain in a 200-mile run from Bretton Woods, N.H., to Hampton Beach, N.H. — and they do it in 24 hours.

All she had to do was convince 11 other runners to join her. While the team is still seeking two more dedicated runners, Ms Macknight’s husband Kevin, Jack Weber, Tom Murtha, Keith Radcliff, Tracy VanBuskirk, and Debbie Burkhardt, all of Newtown, as well as Steve Dugas of Massachusetts, Francis Goulart of Ridgefield, and Neil Luckhurst of Montreal stepped up to the challenge and will be a part of a Newtown team that heads to Bretton Woods on September 16 to join hundreds of other runners from around the country.

The team members range from newbies who have never run a series of consecutive relays to seasoned runners, those who regularly enter tri- and biathlons and marathons.

“Reach the Beach appealed to me because it is a challenge,” said Ms Macknight. “I love challenges. After the meeting [of her team] the energy level was so high. We’re all really excited.”

One might think that finding 12 people excited about running 200 miles in shifts that cover day and night, for the sheer thrill of it, would be tricky. But there is yet another team in the works that includes Newtown residents.

Greg Ritzinger and Dan Germain are veterans of the Reach the Beach Relay, having hooked up with a New Hampshire team four years ago.

“A Running Times magazine article caught my interest,” said Mr Ritzinger. “Usually you’re running alone. This is a chance to be involved in a group effort, some camaraderie.”

On a 12-person team, each runner covers three legs throughout the course. Each leg is anywhere from approximately three miles to nine miles in length, with some legs decidedly more difficult than others. Although it is shorter in length than some of the other legs, “The first position,” said Mr Ritzinger, “is really difficult. You basically run up a ski run.”

Team members “leap frog” through the 24 hours, said Mr Ritzinger. “You run for three to four hours and have three to four hours off.” During the time off, runners might opt to go have dinner or rest, he said. “Resting” is a relative term in this context. Team members stretch out among the coolers in one of the two 15-seat white vans that follow each team of racers.

“I understand that people decorate their vans,” said Ms Macknight, “which makes sense. At the transition area [where runners switch legs of the race] you need to find your white van. And everybody rents them for the race.”

Every runner has his or her own method of training for this type of relay, but essentially it involves alternating shorter daily runs — three to six miles — with a longer, weekly run of 20 miles plus. Ms Macknight tries to follow the New York City Marathon training program, which incorporates building up mileage, long runs based on the runner’s expertise, speedwork, practice races, and crosstraining. Mr Ritzinger and Mr Germain run solo throughout the week, then might join forces for a weekly long run.

While there are runners who follow a rigid diet, Ms Macknight keeps her eating style simple. “I try to stay away from junk food all the time. I don’t eat a lot of red meat ever. But before a race, I don’t do anything out of the ordinary, really. Maybe yogurt and bananas before a race.”

Runners who take part in the Reach the Beach Relay share a special bond, according to both Ms Macknight and Mr Ritzinger.

Says Ms Macknight, “We do it to be with people who have the same interests. We do it to have fun. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”