Running Group Ready to Fly at Tent to Trail Relay
By: Shihan Wijeyeratne
At the inaugural Tent to Trail Relay in Pocahontas State Park on April 17-18, the EagleRiders Cross Country Pack will add another chapter to what is already an impressive record of fitness exploits. “Most of us went to high school together, but we’ve added a few guys since then,” says Will McClain, one of the team members. “We’ve all been friends for seven or eight years, so we know each other pretty well and enjoy getting together for group runs and other events.”
Even for a group that has, combined, completed 16 marathons, Tent to Trail will be a new experience. Though they have gone on many training runs together, this will be the first time the entire group will participate in an event with all eight members.
EagleRiders Ben Beverly and Jake Woody at the 2014 Anthem Richmond Marathon
“I’m really looking forward to the competition,” says McClain. “I love trail running, and the layout of this event is fascinating. I’m eager to get out on the awesome trails in Pocahontas State Park and to see how the EagleRiders stack up to the rest of the field.”
The EagleRiders pack is made up of mostly Freeman High School alumni, and a few friends they’ve picked up along the way. The name came about over breakfast after several members had completed a long marathon training run in 2013 and has stuck with the group since then. Living and working in various parts of the region, they’re looking forward to coming together and enjoying the 24+ hours of camping and running in Pocahontas State Park.
“We’ve all prepared pretty well,” says McClain. “Our training routine is pretty solid, but I am a little nervous about running at night. It will be a fun experience though.”
Tent to Trail combines a trail relay race with a lakeside camping experience in Pocahontas. Teams will cover a combined 136 miles over the course of approximately 24 hours, with participants on 8-person teams running 17 miles each, and runners on 4-person teams covering 34.
In addition to the relay portion of the event, the ‘Tent to Trail Hangout’ camping component will include live music, the Sierra Nevada Beer Garden, food from Strawberry Street Events, s’mores, and much more. So whether you’re on the trail or not, there will be plenty of activity going on in the park for all participants to enjoy.
“The camping experience is something we’re all pretty excited about,” says McClain. “We’re a pretty fun group of guys, and we’re looking forward to spending time with each other and getting to know the other teams. It will be a great event, and we’re ready to hit the trails.”
Registration for the first-annual Tent to Trail Relay is available online at www.sportsbackers.org until 11:59 pm on April 14.