Discomfort Zone

The 2018 Rachel Carson Trail Challenge

The day opened with overcast skies and intermittent showers. It looked to be another year for the mudders. Yet the showers ended by mid-morning and although the trail was slick and mucky in spots, it wasn't as bad as in prior wet years.

The temperature started in the lows 60s and rose to the upper 70s in the afternoon. Clouds occulted the sun which allowed many to finish, and with less discomfort despite the modest humidity. Indeed, first-time participant Luke Badaczewski finished in under six hours, the fastest time in Challenge history, and nearly an hour ahead of the second finisher.

For the Full Challenge, we had 572 participants scan out at Harrison Hills Park, and 446 or 78% made it to North Park within the official time of 15 hours, 4 minutes.

For the 18-mile Homestead Challenge, we had 292 participants scan out at Springdale High School, and 268 or 92% reached North Park. Of those, 215 (74%) made it within the official time of 7 hours, 53 minutes.

For the 7-mile Friends & Family Challenge, 45 groups set out from White Oak Farm, heading to North Park.

Thanks to our terrific volunteers: Joyce Appel, John Armstrong, Robert Bastone, Mary Bates, Tom Bates, Colin Beckwitt, Lisa Beers, Stephen Beers, Jon Bradley, Charles Brethauer, Dave Brooke, Becky Brown, Patty Brunner, Leslie Buchwald, Robert Buchwald, John Cancro, Michael Cannon, Valerie Carpenter, Becky Chambers, Mark Chase, Rita Ciccariello, Mimi Colaizzi, Adrienne Cook, Richard Cook, Samuel Cook, Jim Crist, Mike Dailey, Siena De Cortie, Carolyn Debelak, Doug Deckert, Angela Dees, Michelle Dees, Seth Dees, Suzanne Dees, Pamela Derby, Gabriel Diamond, Carly Dibas, Sue Dodds, Mary Doman, Leigh Ducoeur, Hal English, Sue English, Matthew Fleeger, Anne Flynn Schlicht, Dwight Fox, Janet Fox, Mark Frey, Colin Green, Mike Griffin, Jamie Grippin, Peter Grittie, Robert Habegger, Ian Haffling, Deanna Hanna, David Helwig, Paul Henry, Jerry Hoffman, Jim Holloway, Maria Hoober, Kristen Hussar, Matthew Indovina, John Italiano, Konrad Kammerer, Andrew Karnavas, Nathaniel Kern, Karen Klein, Ryan Knecht, Jason Kodat, Max Kodat, Alynn Kramer, Kristen Kurzawski, Clay Kusbach, Allie L, James Laird, Rhett Landry, Christina Lee, Margie Lynch, Joanne Maeder, Nick Mance, Deonna Mathias, Emily Matthews, Ken Matthews, Virginia Matthews, Virginia Mcanulty, Emily Mcnally, Mark Messina, Angie Minke, Christina Montemurro, Karen Muirhead, Bob Mulshine, Cathy Nader-Syiek, Sheila Neely, Tom Neff, Amy Nelson, Kate Nicholson, Dan Norkiewicz, Judi Norkiewicz, Eileen Owen, Patrick Pagano, James Painter, Ann Paul, Tina Press, Michelle Preston, Ben Primis, Madelynn Primis, Lindsay R, Tom Rekowski, Jared Saffer, Deb Sagan, Jeff Sarabok, Connie Scheirer, Sarah Scherer, Adrienne Schierer, Hannah Schrauder, Bob Shages, Susan Shages, Charles Sheppard, Shane Shin, Jillian Shumaker, Paul Shumaker, Irene Shutters, Andrea Shymatta, Laura Silverman, Donna Stolz, John Stolz, Christine Swain, David Syiek, Gregory Syiek, Dorothy Tatrn, Deb Taylor, Terri Thompson, Robert Timmins, Abby Trehy, Bob Vickers, David Vollenweider, Mary Whitman, Mike Yanchak, Ethan Yim, Aimee Young, Carol Zellars, Sandy Zern, and Don Ziegler.

And our sponsors & supporters:

  • Peoples Natural Gas
  • Charles R. Burke Foundation
  • North Park Trail Runners
  • MacPhail-Soonthornchai Family
  • REI
  • Range Resources
  • UPMC
  • William & Gay Stewart
  • Seneca Resources
  • American Mustache Institute
  • Williams Coulson LLC
  • Hefren-Tillotson
  • Divorce Auditors
  • Mark Taylor
  • Ralph Swain
  • John & Tom Armstrong, Trail Stewards
  • ATTORNEY HAL ENGLISH
  • 3 Rivers Outdoor Co
  • Bob Mulshine
  • Charlie & Paula Brethauer
  • Voodoo Brewery
  • DBStolz
  • A-K Pulser Paramedic Response Unit
  • Emergency Physicians of Alle-Kiski
  • Skyview Radio Society