The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club

The 2018 Baker Trail Ultra-marathon will be held starting at 6:30 AM Saturday August 25, 2018.

This year will be on the “central section” of the trail (Summerville to Smicksburg).  Here is a link for information and to sign up:

  https://www.rachelcarsontrails.org/events/ultrachallenge/uc18                  Scroll to the bottom of the page.  

Map of the race:  https://www.rachelcarsontrails.org/events/ultrachallenge/uc18/ultrachallenge2018.pdf

Please mark your calendars, and plan to help provide amateur radio public service communications for a fun event.

This is a 50 (FIFTY) mile ultra marathon through some fairly rugged terrain, that has limited to NO cellular coverage. This is a public service event where Amateur Radio IS vital to relay information for logistical reasons, and for runner accountability and safety.

This year there are 9 checkpoint or aid stations plus the ending point at a farm just outside Smicksburg, PA.     This is a fun, fairly easy to work event.

You can bring some food & water if you wish. Each point has food & water/Gatorade for the runners which you are welcome to partake. There are porta-john facilities at most points as well.

As their website states ” What’s in it for a volunteer? As a thank-you, all volunteers receive a coveted Marshal t-shirt and the gratitude of many strangers!  It is also provides good experience for amateurs that will aid in a handling a potential emergency.

Hope to see you there!!

Any questions, contact me at ka3ycb at arrl dot net Thank you!

Kevin Snyder, KA3YCB

Chuck Shaffer, KC3EAJ has requested amateurs to provide public service communications for this race. His main focus is the orienteering course between Millcreek & Frozen Toe.

The actual race covers eighty four miles and there are opportunities for as many ham operators to participate as arrive to assist.  Chuck will find a place for you.

If you have assisted with the northern leg of the Baker Ultra Challenge, you will recognize much of the terrain. There are safety checkpoints, and orienteering points that he would like covered.

The race starts at 7 a.m. with an 8-mile run in a loop around the Millcreek Boat Launch area just outside of Strattanville.

From there, the opening runner tags off to a swimmer who goes on a 2-mile round trip before tagging to the next teammate who bikes 23 miles from Millcreek to Cook Forest State Park at the Clarion River bridge.

The biker then tags a kayaker who boats back to Millcreek some 12 miles away. An orienteer duo or individual awaits the Kayaker there for a 10-12 mile trip to find three checkpoints in the forest between Millcreek and Frozen Toe, which is just north of Corsica.

The final stage starts at Frozen Toe where the successful orienteer team tags off to the anchor leg, who finishes the day on a 9.5-mile run into Brookville and the finish line at the YMCA.

Hams will meet at the Millcreek boat access on Millcreek road, (T-572) approx. 2 miles off Fisher road (SR1011) outside Strattanville borough in Clarion County. Time 1030 A.M.

Here is a link to the race webpage                    http://www.brookvilleymca.com/page23.html

ANY radio amateurs available to help with this Public Service Event, Please contact me at KA3YCB at ARRL.net.

Kevin Snyder, KA3YCB