Musquodoboit Muffin Run June 3, 2012

What:
The Musquodoboit Muffin Trail Run, taking place on the Musquodoboit Trailways Admiral Lake trail.
When:
It happens Sunday, June 3rd, start time 9 a.m. Cost $20. RaceDay  only registration $30. There will be an award for the top finisher in each of the four categories.
Distance 7.5 or 15km:
Run either one, or two laps of the 7.5 kilometre loop. The loop consists of 2 kilometres on flat rail trail, and the rest on VERY difficult singletrack through the woods.
Pay Attention
There are no support or feeds on the trail, but there will be volunteers at the major intersections to point you in the right direction. The trail is well marked with yellow metal tree tags and at intersections there is pink trail flagging.
Warning, Warning, this is very difficult running!!!
Imagine running up 100 stairs made of randomly placed boulders. Or how about running down a steep narrow trail only wide enough for one foot at a time that twists and turns on wet leaves; and there are the wet roots arching over chiseled sharp rocks requiring very carefully planned placement of the foot. Essentially that is the singletrack trail, with a few relaxing nice forest smoother bits.

It is absolutely necessary you bring your own food and water for an extended run of more than one hour. The distances are deceptive, as the terrain is very steep with many sharp twists and turns.  Plan for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours run for the 7.5 km, and 1:45 to 2:45 for the 15km. In 2011, some young whipper snapper ran the 7.5 kilometre course in 52 and some older whipper snapper ran the 15 kilometre in 1:42

This trail demands a lot of the runner, requiring hopping, sidestepping, ducking, shuffling, jumping, skipping, arm waving, shoulder shifting, and grunting. It is highly advised to have shoes with deep lugs for traction. This should not be one of the first runs of your season. The trail, know as a very challenging hiking trail, is a real humdinger to run on. This is a technical trail run experience. You are encouraged to walk/fast hike, if you find the trail difficult to run.

There are several incredibly beautiful look offs and the terrain the trails cut through is amazing. The trail is very challenging with very few flat-like sections. Most of the time you will be ascending, or descending a steep hill. Take a peek at the map, just to see how many times the trail skips over contour lines. Just looking at it will make your thighs ache!

http://www.mta-ns.ca/PDF/Map.pdf

Directions to site from Main St. Dartmouth:
East on 107 approximately 23 kilometres to the very last exit (Musquodoboit Harbour).

Turn right onto highway 7 and travel east for 2.4 kilometres.

Then turn left onto highway 357 by the bank(Meagher's Grant Rd).
Continue for 1.7 kilometres to the first bridge, and turn right on the bridge (Bayer's Mill Road).

Drive to the end of the road.

Park off the side of the road on either side, but not in front of the gate.

The Start/Finish/Registration is on the rail trail proper near the intersection of the Bayer's Mill Road and the rail trail.
You can register on the day of, or now on Atlantic Chip.

Here's the start point on google maps

Also here's an idea of the gps route profile:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/anerdoo/gkbhi6a7jsivkpe0
View Muffin Run start in a larger map