Rothrock (by UTMB?!?)
UTMB is coming to my town this weekend
I’m torn about that (but I just volunteered to work at the race)…
Fifteen years ago, a little grassroots trail race called the Rothrock Trail Challenge gave me my foundational concept of what a trail race should be, and introduced me to a new way of life as part of a vibrant community of central-Pennsylvania trailrunners. Tomorrow that race has its first running as “Rothrock by UTMB”, as one of the international behemoth’s two World Series races in the eastern US.
It’s a fairly big deal.
If you ignore recent history and think of UTMB only in terms of the high-minded principles and flawless execution of its spectacular flagship race around Mont Blanc, you might see this as an honor, and as an opportunity to introduce the world to our world-class trails and trail culture.
If instead, you see UTMB as perpetrator of the notorious hostile takeover of Gary Robbins’ Whistler Alpine Meadows race, a greedy and amoral corporate shill representing everything that could go wrong with our sport, you’ll see this as an unwelcome incursion, and the exact opposite of anything we should be associated with.
I see and feel both extremes.
Running UTMB in 2017 was one of the peak experiences of my life (pun absolutely intended). But when they went dramatically astray in 2023, I helped call them out, and the organization I led at the time (Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance) dropped our association with them.
Then I lost track. I rotated off our race board, I’ve been participating in independent races, and I really stopped paying much attention to UTMB. I know the outcry over Whistler got their attention, but how did they respond? Did they reform, did they reengage with their founding principles?
I don’t know. But I do think it’s possible that both aspects of UTMB (or at least elements of both) can be true at the same time.
Until this week, I was stuck in that dichotomy, wanting to be excited about the race, but feeling guilty for feeling that way. But on Wednesday, I signed up to work one of the 50k aid stations on Saturday. In the end, it was less about UTMB (I guess I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt) and more about supporting the local runners who are organizing and directing the race. I know and trust them — they have deep roots here, they care about this race and all it represents. And in this case, the race is a collaboration, not a hostile takeover.
I know that the race route will leave an impression on the runners who race here tomorrow, and I’d like our community to make an equal impression. But if we want that, we have to be there and help make it so.
I ended that 2023 UTMB post on a hopeful note:
I believe there is room for everyone in this sport. I believe there is room for different models, for the path my organization has taken as a non-profit, for independent for-profit race directors, and for large corporate interests. I believe it is possible to be big and commercial and to make a lot of money while still being ethical, responsible members of what is now a worldwide community.
And I believe there is still time for the trailrunners within New UTMB to realize they are off course, take back control of their situation, and return to their place as responsible leaders in our sport.
I’m still hopeful.
Related
For definitive coverage of all the pros and cons and history and opportunities involved, I recommend this post from local trail luminary Ben Mazur (no one is more plugged-in to Pennsylvania trailrunning than Ben): When a Stranger Comes Into Town
And here are my related posts:
Postscript: Why I care about this race
I didn’t know it at the time, but my first three trail runs (on three consecutive Thursday evenings in April 2009, while my son was at soccer practice) were on the Rothrock Trail Challenge route:
1st trail run: Spruce Gap Trail, the first climb of the race
2nd trail run: Fleetfoot Trail, the second climb of the race
3rd trail run: Old Laurel Trail, the final descent of the race
Later, in November 2009, I coaxed my wife and son out on their first trail run... you guessed it — on the Rothrock course (Three-Bridges Trail and Lonberger Trail). And in 2011, Rothrock was my 2nd trail race (all three of us ran).
Other images from the race route:
Perhaps ill see ya out there. I’ll be at an aid station as well
These are beautiful photos. I definitely am reluctant to be excited about a foreign corporation buying up our beloved local grassroots races. I’m curious why this is happening. Are the race Director selling the race outright or do they just need sponsorship money? I’d love to learn how we can preserve these gems.