Sporting A Cause

Tag Archives: Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service

Sweltering Summer Ultra

The Sweltering Summer Ultra will be held Saturday, August 14, 2921 at Clapp Park, 215 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201. There will also be a virtual version.

The event is organized by the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS)

Due to covid-19 protocols and vaccinations, some runners may not be present this year but wish to participate. If so, they may sign up for the “Virtual 26.2 miler”, equivalent to 74 laps of Clapp.

Runners will earn a medal and a t-shirt. Runners are encouraged to log their virtual marathon on August 14 when runners are running at Clapp, but may complete it any time between August 1 and August 14.

Profits after costs of shipping will be donated to the AYJ Fund in the Northern Berkshires.

Runners may opt to run all at once, or on several runs during the days leading up to August 14.

All virtual participants must email their runs to : burcsresults@gmail.com with subject heading: LAST NAME – SS8 Virtual – EVIDENCE.

EVENT TIME: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Marathon, 8-Hour); 1:00 PM (5k Race Only)

PACKET PICK-UP: 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM (Race Day Only); 12:00-1:00 (5k Race Only)

CHIP TIMING: Provided by Mike Melton and MCM Timing all day! Includes post-race individual lap splits to be compiled and emailed as well as hourly updated leaderboard in the 8-hour event this year. Note: Any registrations after July 7th may not receive t-shirt!

TIME LIMIT: 8-Hours for Marathon Runners (74 laps). Walker Friendly. 8-Hour Runners may elect to run or walk as many laps as they choose during the event.

LOCATION: Clapp Park, 215 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Certified dirt and cinder track that surrounds Clapp Park (.355 mile loop). Racers will start counter-clockwise, switching directions at the 4-hour mark, and are permitted to run the width of the track. Running on the grass along the outside grass surface is permitted. USATF Certification: MA13008JK.

AID STATION: Our signature aid station and bottle drop will be reconfigured to address safety concerns due to covid-19. Expect prepackaged goodies, and a no-contact bottle refill system for water/gatorade. Additionally, runners may choose to set up their own personal areas along the course. **Please ensure they are 3′ from the outside edge of track**

CONTACT: Bennjamin Griffin (Race Director) Email: benn.griffin@gmail.com Phone: 413-443-5819
Snail Mail: 53 Essex Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201

AWARDS: Overall top 3 in each event, age group and relay awards **Note: Awards and medals may be different in 2021 due to time constraints**

PROCEEDS BENEFITTING: AYJ Fund, a northern Berkshire County non-profit that provides services and support for children facing a cancer diagnosis.

REFUNDS: If unable to attend, you may defer entry one year. Must be done in writing to RD before 7/11.**Notice** There will be no deferments or refunds allowed after July 11.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Assistance is needed for setup, registration, starting line, race operations, awards, aid station management, and clean up. If your friends or family members are running the race, please sign up and give us a hand. Email RD Benn with any questions at benn.griffin@gmail.com.

RACE SERIES: This is part of the BURCS BADASS race series. Points are awarded and cumulative awards are available. See the link on the right had column for details..

Note: If choosing the Marathon option – runners will have 8 hours to complete 74 laps. E-mail the Race Director, Benn Griffin at: benn.griffin@gmail.com for information.

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8th annual Vegan Power 50K and 25K Virtual for 2021

The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) invites vegans and non-vegans alike to join us for the 8th annual Vegan Power 50K and 25K, with the options to do a 100K or 5K added for this virtual year, in support of local animal sanctuaries. DUE TO COVID-19, THIS RACE IS VIRTUAL ONLY FOR 2021. If you don’t want to be associated with a virtual event on Ultrasignup and have your virtual results as part of your Ultrasignup history, please do not sign up for this event.

To register go to: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=83015&fbclid=IwAR2cErLi3NS3LiSSH17UkVEc-YW0ILS8sXwOfq2QJZ7hUvWWQnFEkyJksAo

The Basics

THIS RACE IS VIRTUAL FOR 2021. Each entrant needs to run/walk/hike their virtual race any time in the month of June. They need to retain proof for their total time it took to race their distance and submit it to me at veganpower50k@gmail.com. You can run inside, outside, and anywhere you want!
Each entrant will receive a race sticker. We are going slim, trim and racy this year to get more bang for our buck in donating to our sanctuaries.
Join our FB page for much more information and to join the fun! Vegan Power 50k group.
Profits go to support Vine, Red Robin Song, and Bluebird Farm animal sanctuaries.

What is BURCS?

The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service was founded in 2013 by passionate long-distance runners from Western Massachusetts. The BURCS crew is composed of runners of all ages who seek to use their passion for sport and activism to spread awareness about important social, civic, and environmental issues. Please check out burcsrunners.org for more information and to join.

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Free To Run Trail Races Canceled for 2020

Free To Run Trail Races which were to be held Saturday, September 19, 2020 have been canceled. The races were organized by the Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service to benefit Free To Run.

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Circadian Challenge 24 Hours Virtual

Quarantine and Social Distancing is making for some weird experiences. Your schedule is already messed up. The kids are grumpy. The cat wonders why you won’t ever leave the house. This is the event for you. Designed to completely mess with your Circadian Rhythm you have the option to collect one or both halves of this sweet ass medal.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Simple. You will have The entire month of July (that’s 31 days!) to designate a 24 hour window during which you will run a night / day or day / night configuration. To earn the coveted medal, you must log 13.1 miles or more during the 12 hour night portion of your event. (i.e. if you cover 13.1 miles between 8pm and 8am then you earn the left side – Night; if you cover 13.1 miles between 8am and 8pm you earn the right side – Day). If you are trying for a buckle the distances you need are: SILVER: 26.2+, GOLD: 50+, ULTRABADASS (any distance). For buckles, you don’t have to run in both halves of the event. i.e. if you are speedy and can do a marathon or 50M in one 12 hour chunk that’s allowed too.

Registration ends June 25 @ 11:59 pm.

WHEN CAN I RUN?
NIGHT ELIGIBILITY is 8PM to 8AM ONLY. DAY ELIGIBILITY is 8AM to 8PM ONLY. Any miles run outside of these parameters will not count. Once you select your designated window, you have only one decision: 12 hours night to 12 hours of day, or vice versa. Remember you MUST hit 13.1 miles in each division if you want the full medal.

You MUST log the NIGHT and DAY portions consecutively from the 8am or 8pm start time that you choose. DO I GET A BIGGER MEDAL IF I DO MORE THAN 13.1 MILES DURING EACH HALF OF THE EVENT? CAN I RUN FOR THE FULL 24 HOURS? No, you get the same size medal there chap. And YES you can run the full time if you want! There will be a special award for the top male and female with the most miles during the event! AWARDS: Top 3 men and women get a plaque to place your medals in courtesy of Ragged Cuts.

DO I HAVE TO RUN ON TRAILS?

No, you do not have to run on trails. However, how cool is it to run for 12 hours in the middle of the woods when everyone else is at home sleeping? Track, Road, Trail, Basement, whatever your jam – just get those miles in and embrace the suck that is throwing off your Circadian Rhythm!

HOW DO I REPORT RESULTS?
You will submit strava/gps file via ultrasignup and also send an email to the Race Director with the Subject Line: LASTNAME – Circadian Challenge – EVIDENCE.

Results will be checked and validated before medals are mailed out.

Only complete half the challenge? You get half the medal.

REGISTRATION COSTS: $46; $15 of your registration goes to cost of medals and shipping to your door; the rest of your entry fee goes BURCS’ Staple Charities (Moments House, Sonsini Animal Shelter, Louison House, etc.)

QUESTIONS can be emailed to RD Benn Griffin at: Benn.Griffin@gmail.com

THIS EVENT is SPONSORED by BURCS. Since 2013, Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service has organized ultramarathons benefitting non-profits and charities around Berkshire County and beyond. Proceeds are donated from each event.

NO REFUNDS. If you fail to reach 13.1 miles in either the night or day portion of the event, your registration goes as a donation to charity and you get a letter of condolence from the race director and Wally Watermelon.

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6th annual Vegan Power 50K, 25K, and 50K Relay Virtual

The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) invites vegans and non-vegans alike to join us for the 6th annual Vegan Power 50K, 25K, and 50K relay in support of local animal sanctuaries. DUE TO COVID-19, THIS RACE IS VIRTUAL ONLY FOR 2020.

The Basics

THIS RACE IS VIRTUAL FOR 2020. Each entrant needs to begin their virtual race any time on 6/27/20 and has 36 hours to complete the distance they signed up for. They need to retain proof and self record their time on Ultrasignup (this is a new feature and has not been tested yet, but ideally this is how you will report your overall time).
Each finisher will be mailed a medal and t-shirt if they register before 6/15/2020; all entrants after that date will not be guaranteed either. Packages will be mailed out around the time of the race.
Join our FB page for much more information and to join the fun! Vegan Power 50k group.
Profits go to support Red Robin Song animal sanctuary.

What is BURCS?

The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service was founded in 2013 by passionate long-distance runners from Western Massachusetts. The BURCS crew is composed of runners of all ages who seek to use their passion for sport and activism to spread awareness about important social, civic, and environmental issues. Please check out burcsrunners.org for more information and to join.

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