Five Fast Tracks members visited God's Country on Saturday to participate in the 33rd God's Country Marathon. This small marathon takes place in Potter County, in the northwest corner of PA. The 150 finishers braved the rolling hills over the first 15 miles and a three mile climb to mile 18 that is not for the faint of heart. Miles 18 to the finish provided a welcomed down hill descent with only slight inclines.
The God's Country Marathon course runs mostly West on Scenic Route 6 entering the majestic Susquehannock State Forest and ending in Coudersport, PA.
Three of us, Ethel Cook, Keith Straw, and myself headed up Friday night and enjoyed a pasta dinner in the local firehall in town. The local folk welcomed us warmly and provided homemade baked goods for dessert. The Laurelwood Inn provided our accommodations with a local pub within walking distance that provided us a night cap.
The other two in our contingent, Jerry Davis & Elden Monday, decided to make the drive in the morning driving the five hours EARLY on Saturday morning as the race started at 8 am. These two "morning runners" decided to run the race early last week as they were looking to get in a good hill training run to kickoff their summer long distance training.
We met at the Galeton High School around 7:15 am after taking a bus ride from the finish to the start. Race start at 8 am found it cool but caution to the sun and haze that forecasted temperatures of 80 degrees.
A very casual start, the 150 of us ventured out to attack the hills. After a quick tour of Galeton, we headed west on Route 6 towards Coudersport. Seeing the street sign that says 'Coudersport - 22 miles' was our first hint of the distance remaining.
Water stops were approximately every mile with local town people manning them - everyone in town is a part of this race!
Although crowd support was not extensive, the course allowed us to see and hear cheers from the same people every couple of miles as they followed their runner(s) along Route 6. What a friendly group of supporters!
The haze burned off, the temperature rose to 80, and the hills kept coming. Denton Hill, as it's fondly known, forced alot of us to walk "the hill" and save our strength for 18 to the finish.
Keith Straw led our group with a first place finish in his age group, 22nd overall, and a 3:42 finish time.
Ethel led the rest of the men with a gutsy 4:10 and a 5th place in her age group.
Elden & Jerry completed their training run in 4:11 and change while Tom completed the race in sub 4:15, cutting 20 minutes from his finish last year.
With this race, Jerry becomes a bronze member of the Marathon a Month group - finishing three marathons this year - one being a Boston qualifier just two weeks ago in Delaware. Elden becomes an honorary member with an ultra and this marathon under his belt this year.
Our small town experience wrapped up with a free salad buffet and roast beef sandwich at the local restaurant - Hotel Crittendon.
In summary, a very challenging course with an amazing small town atmosphere that makes you feel very welcomed and supported. All five of us would do it again in a heartbeat . . . if you can, plan to join us next year . . .
