Schuylkill River Ultra Recap

As an older gentleman runner who trains consistently throughout the year, I don’t sign up for races months in advance. I usually have a race in mind a couple of months before, but I don’t pull the trigger and register until three or four weeks before. I think it’s because I train a lot on trails, and sometimes you get little injuries (the trail is always trying to injure you!), and I don’t want to go limping into a race I spent money on. Also, I don’t want to spend months focusing on one event. I just want to enjoy running and not think of it as something I need to do.

It was early April, and I was about to sign up for the beloved Dirty German 50-Miler on May 10th in beautiful Pennypack Park. I ran it in 2023 and had an awesome time, and last year I spent 12 fast-paced hours working as an aid station volunteer making grilled cheese, directing runners where to go, filling bottles, and ending my shift running four miles at dusk looking for the last runner on the course (who dropped and forgot to tell the race directors).

I’m in decent shape at this point of the year. I just finished a flat 31-mile charity run (Fraud Street Loop) on April 5th, and my nagging heel injury from last September’s 100K is now, thankfully, almost non-existent. I was ready for three big loops on some very fun and runnable trails. My wife then informed me, “We have a wedding on that day.” Cool. The wedding is going to be fun, and I can always find another race. So off to Ultra Running Calendar I went to find another day to wake up early, strap on a dumb vest, and try to stomach energy gels for hours on end.

I decided on the Schuylkill River Relay on April 26th, a flat 50K race. My plan: if this race went well, I’d follow up with the Bashore Bash 12-Hour Ultra trail race on June 7th, where you see how many miles you can run on a 4-5 mile trail in 12 hours. June is a bit hot (and I am not the best hot weather runner), but what the hell, it sounds fun and I get to visit Jonestown, PA! That’s the plan, but first, let’s talk about the SRR 50K!

Racap Time

Race Description: “The Schuylkill River Relay is a 50K Ultramarathon and Ultra-Relay held rain or shine, starting and finishing at the historic Lock 60 on the Schuylkill Canal in Mont Clare, PA, just minutes from Phoenixville. The scenic out-and-back course winds its way along the beautiful Schuylkill River Trail, taking runners through lush forests, alongside the tranquil canal, and past stunning river views as it stretches all the way to Conshohocken and back. The route is divided into six manageable legs, each 5–6 miles long, with aid stations conveniently located at the transition points to keep you fueled and hydrated. Sign up as an individual runner to take on the entire course, or gather your friends and form a relay team of 3 or 6. It’s the biggest relay race in Philly!”

I train on the Schuylkill River Trail often and have run all the sections of this course at different times over the past couple of years, so I knew what to expect and was excited. I’ve done six 50ks in the past three years, and they have all been on trails with elevation gains (usually between 3,000 and 5,000 feet), where, in addition to running, you are climbing, hiking, and sometimes walking (if things go south).

My pace for these trail races is much slower than a road race. In the last road marathon I finished in 2023, I ran around an 8:40/mile pace. I was shooting for about a 9:30ish pace for this race. I wanted to treat this as a training run for the 12-hour race, where my pace would be much slower. It’s hard to go out slower at the start when you are excited, but I always remind myself that having more in the tank for the later miles is crucial. And luckily, this time I listened to myself.

obligatory kit photo — *Obligatory kit photo*

It was rainy and a bit humid on race morning, with a small chance of lightning, not the best forecast, but I am usually down to run in any weather. This race had staggered starts similar to corrals in larger road races. I was slated to head out at 8:45 a.m., a little later than most races, but it was fine.

I got to the starting line at Mont Clare a good hour and a half before to make sure I had time to pick up my bib, stretch my old man legs, and go to the bathroom at least three times (Old Nervous Stomach Jeff strikes again!). Happy race volunteers greeted everyone at the registration tent, good music playing, lovely venue, fun vibes all around.

Because it was a relay race for the majority of runners, everyone had to wear a Velcro strap timing mechanism on their ankles so they could pass the strap to the next runner on their team at the different checkpoints/aid stations. The solo runners also got to wear them, it felt very old school, like twenty years ago when race directors would give you a plastic timing chip that you would need to tie into your shoe laces.

This stretch of the Schuylkill River Trail is a really lovely course: a mix of nice shady paths along the canal, a flowy little paved stretch where you feel like you are running on Rt. 422, more shady goodness as you run into Valley Forge, and a lot of open-air miles in Norristown and Conshy. Extremely runnable, scenic, and very flat.

About 8 miles in, I felt that dreaded little tinge of tight calf muscles. It was humid and a bit hotter out there than I expected, and I should have packed salt tabs. I always forget one thing.

Instead of getting stressed, I decided to up my electrolyte intake and keep pounding Gatorade at the aid stations. In addition to the banana I ate at 7:30 a.m., I ate three more during the race. Luckily, this sodium and potassium plan held off the impending cramps until mile 27ish.

Despite the cramp situation, I felt energized throughout the run. I shared some miles with some nice folks (shout out to Tony from Summit, NJ!) and enjoyed the light rain throughout the morning. Watching the relay handoffs as you entered the checkpoints was a blast, so much positive energy and many laughs as teammates cheered on their fellow runners. Seeing people having fun out in public is good for the soul.

I decided not to wear a vest because I hate wearing vests. I wore a waist belt instead and carried my gels and one 500ml flask in it, snugly around my waist. It worked out well until the turnaround point at mile 15, when I grabbed it from the lid too quickly, and the stopper cap flew off, and I could not find it. Oh well, I just carried a plastic bottle of water in my belt for the rest of the way.

Photo courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/schuylkillriverrelay — Mile 15: missing flask cap, gelling up! Runner friends, I can’t stress this enough: no matter how you’re feeling during a race, if you see a camera, give a thumbs up. (Photo courtesy of Schuylkill River Relay)

While most of the focus of this race was on the relay runners, I need to give a super huge shout out to the aid station volunteers whose main job was to help the solo runners, they were so dialed in and efficient, and supportive. They knew what you needed and had it ready. Thanks again!

Speaking of, at aid station 26, I was gifted with a small can of Coke and a bag of chips, which went down easily and were much appreciated. The gut was happy, but the cramps started flaring at the end of mile 27, and I had to stop a few times to do some calf stretches. It helped. I would also do this weird thing where I would flex my hands and fingers while jogging, letting my calves know the rest of my dumb body was trying to help them. “Mom, why is that man doing jazz hands while jogging?”

In addition to the calf tightness, for the first time, my stupid feet also cramped up. Come on, feet! What the hell? Not just the toes but both feet started constricting. Super weird feeling. Most of the cramps were small, and luckily, I was still able to jog it out and recover.

The last mile of the race, you can see the finish line across the canal, which is one of the best sights/feelings. “Hell yes, I am almost there! I need to pee!” With a quarter of a mile to go, you turn around and go over a small bridge. It’s here where you can see the runners behind you. Despite the mild crampy discomfort, I was very determined not to get passed in the final stretch.

Because of the staggered starts and the relay also taking place, it’s hard to tell what place you are in and which runners are also doing the solo run. I just pretended they were all in my group and gunning for me. “Let’s pick off that old guy running slowly in front of us! Let’s get him!!”

Narrator Voice: “They did not get him.”

It’s amazing how much adrenaline takes over, especially with the finish line in sight. My last 100 yards were a mix of a full-gas sprint, elation, and one pronounced leg buckle. The solid crowd support (armed with cowbells and many with beers in their hands) cheering me on helped. I was in very good spirits as I crossed the line.

Post finish line — Done! (Photo courtesy of Schuylkill River Relay)

I’m an emotional guy, and I always tear up a bit at the end of a long race. I am grateful I’m still able to get out there and do these little adventures. I don’t know how long it will last, but I love it and I’ll keep at it as long as I can.

I finished in 17th place out of 41 finishers for the solo 50K. Happy with that.

Things I Enjoyed Along the Way

About two miles into the race, I saw a momma duck cruising down the canal with six little ducklings in tow in perfect formation. A study in efficiency and cuteness.
“Look, a turtle!” A very nice young woman who stopped around mile 13 to pick up a very tiny turtle on the path and relocate it to safety. “You saved his life!” I replied.
At mile 28, a guy 20 yards ahead of me took a wrong turn, he went right towards a little bridge instead of a left. I was able to yell loud enough to get him back on course.
I enjoyed a Coke at the finish, chased with a delicious Sly Fox Helles Lager, one of my all-time favorite beers.
This epic photo bomb…