The Grand Tree is a New England trail race series that provides competition, community, and a measure of
performance relative to one's peers or oneself over time. For beginning trail racers, it's an entry to
races farther from home or of differing distance or character. For new trail races, inclusion in the
series can help a race become established.
How the Series Works
Run as few or as many races as you like, at least six to officially complete the series. Each race
earns you points proportional to your pace as a percentage of the winner's pace, with the winner
getting 100 points, and, for example, a hypothetical runner at 75% of the winner's pace getting
75 points. Your best six races determine your final standing for the series. In addition,
for the "Stonehead" competition, the points for all the races you run are summed.
For dual-distance races, the longer race is the Grand Tree Race.
New for the 2018 Season
Over time, as established races have grown and bumped into field limits or become too expensive
for some runners, the character of the Grand Tree has drifted from days of yore and its original
intent. A shift in the mixture of races in the series may better suit its role in the trail
running community.
So, this year Run with the Beavers joins the series and four races that seem likely to fill up
before race day are dropped. Although Blue Hills Skyline, Sisters, Stone Cat, and TARC Wapack
and Back are not in the series, they are fine races - keep on running them! But your scores
in the Grand Tree won't be affected if you don't register in time.
Future decisions will be made by you runners. Starting this year anyone who runs at least six races
of the current season will be invited join an email list whose members decide the next
year's list of Grand Tree races.
Support the race directors and clubs who make these trail races possible!
Another trail race season is over, congratulations to everyone who honored the trails
and chipmunks by running in the woods. This year, 1438 runners participated in the 20 races of the series,
262 ran at least two races, and 17 officially completed the series by running at least six races.
Thanks to all of you runners, and thanks to the race directors, clubs, and volunteers who make the
races of the series possible.
Note should be made of Tim Van Orden, overall male winner with an average of 97% based on
just six races, and at age 50! Top female runner Carolyn Wisnowski also won in just six races
(thus no spares to offset a bad day) with 72%. Top Stoneheads were Ted Cowles with 944 points in 14 races,
and Katya Divari with 510 points in 9 races. In the last six years, Ted has averaged 16 and Katya 10 races
per season, which may inspire the more desk-bound of us a bit.
Runners who completed the series with six or more races
are invited to
join an email list whose members will choose which races to ask to be in the 2019 series, and make decisions
about the series. Suggestions and comments from all runners and race directors are also welcome and will be considered.
You know best what the series is and what it should be. Please email
to take part.
Thanks!
Run with the Beavers Trail Race, 10 mi (GT race) & 5 mi, 9am Saturday July 14, 2018 Chepachet, RI
2018 USATF-NE Trail Championship 2018 GT Results |
Results including splits and 5 mi at RAT Race Timing Race website |
RunReg, pre-reg by 7/11/18, day-of
pre-GT Results:
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012
Race director
9
People's Forest Trail Run, 7 mi, Saturday August 4, 2018 Matheis Grove Pavilion on East River Rd, Barkhamsted CT
Contact
regarding the Grand Tree and its scoring, this website, and the newsletter
Race directors: Please let us
know of any date changes or of any significant revisions to your race's results following their initial posting. - Thanks.
