A Typical Challenge

Rachel Carson Trail Challenge, June 18, 2016

It was a sunny and pleasant day for the twentieth Challenge. The relatively cool morning temperature of around 60 gradually succumbed to the solar energy, increasing to the low 80s by the afternoon. The trail was dry and, through many weeks of effort by our trail stewards, in good condition and nicely blazed.

The unrelenting sun took its toll, reducing the finishing rate somewhat, but still within historical norms.

For the 34-mile Full Challenge, we had 602 participants scan out at Harrison Hills Park, and 453 or 75.2% made it to North Park within the official time of 15 hours, 4 minutes.

For the 17-mile Homestead Challenge, we had 294 participants scan out at Springdale High School, and 258 or 87.8% reached North Park. Of those, 203 (78.7%) made it within the official time of 7 hours, 464 minutes.

For the 7-mile Friends & Family Challenge, we had 49 groups set out from Hartwood Acres Park, destined for North Park.

Special thanks to our fantastic volunteer crew: Joyce Appel, Mary Bates, Colin Beckwitt, Robert Bereit, Michelle Blevins, Becky Brown, Patty Brunner, Leslie Buchwald, Robert Buchwald, Reanna Buzza, Sheri Buzza, John Cancro, Valerie Carpenter, Larry Castner, Dewey Chauvin, Tony Chick, Cassandra Christian, Karen Clarke, Karen Clarke, David Colledge, Heidi Coltin, Howard Coltin, James Connolly, Linda Connors, Stephanie Contreras, Adrienne Cook, Richard Cook, Jim Crist, Tom Cully, Mike Dailey, Correy Dandoy, Jen Davison, Rob Davison, Brooke Decker, Karen Dukes, Jason Fait, Hope Feldman, Kate Fissell, Tim Flaherty, Steelton Flynn, Mark Frey, Brian Gilbert, Jamie Grippin, Robert Habegger, Paul Henry, Jerry Hoffman, Kathy Hoffman, Jim Holloway, David Houseman, Karen Howell-elder, Donald Howley, Patricia Howley, Justin Hull, John Italiano, Moses James, Andrew Karnavas, Haley Kaszer, Joshua Kaszer, Riley Kaszer, Michal Kawecki, Nathaniel Kern, Michael King, Chris Klemens, Bev Kloba, Karen Klos, Keith Klos, Jason Kodat, Carrie Krepp, Mary Krepp, Izzy Latal, Shelby Lew, Joanne Maeder, Ken Matthews, Virginia Matthews, Jaclyn Mazza, David Mcconahy, Shawn Mcnelis, Steve Mentzer, Cindy Mitchell, Kara Mostowy, Bob Mulshine, Cathy Nader-syiek, John Nicholson, Kate Nicholson, Patrick Pagano, Kate Porigow, Jay Rajgopal, Bob Reiland, Anna Roessing, Jeff Sarabok, Gail Schlichtkrull, Kenneth Schlichtkrull, Kathy Schulz, Dottie Scurry, Edward Scurry, Joshua Shaffer, Linda Shaffer, Romaine Shaffer, Romaine Shaffer, Susan Shages, Kacie Shannon, Kara Shannon, Kelly Shannon, Marcia Shannon, Michael Shannon, Charles Sheppard, Andrea Shymatta, Dawn Skirpan, Katrina Smith, John Stephen, Anastasia Stolz, Donna Stolz, Ezra Stolz, John Stolz, Jennifer Stoops, Timothy Sweet, Meghan Swick, David Syiek, Gregory Syiek, Deb Taylor, Nina Tomporoski, Leah Umfrey, Greg Vukich, Carol Ward, Nicole Ward, Nathan Weiderspahn, Marlo Weiskircher, Maggie West, Jeremy Zahler, Carol Zellars, Sha Zhao, Donald Ziegler, and Judy Ziegler.

And our sponsors & supporters:

  • Peoples Natural Gas
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Charles R Burke Foundation
  • MacPhail-Soonthornchai Family
  • Emily MacPhail
  • Chris Apperson
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Hefren-Tillotson
  • UPMC
  • William & Gay Stewart
  • Williams Coulson LLC
  • On behalf of the American Heart Association
  • D&M; Mechanical Contracting
  • Murray Family
  • Allegheny County Parks Foundation
  • Anthony Bamonte
  • Attorney Hal English
  • Babst Calland
  • Bob Mulshine
  • Dick's Sporting Goods
  • HeyHeyPaula
  • John & Tom Armstrong, Trail Stewards
  • Lunch Buddies
  • Mike & Janet Lloyd
  • PA Brew Tour
  • PixController
  • Ryder
  • Sarah & Charles Heppenstall, Jr
  • Swain Family
  • Fidelity
  • Apple Box Studios
  • DBStolz
  • REI
  • Shirt Design by Pytlik Design Associates
  • ShuBrew
  • Skyview Radio Society
  • VYGOR Fitness + Nutrition - i inspire