About the Helena South Hills Trail Series (S.H.A.T.S.)
Races will be scored like a cross-country meet (men and women scored
separately); 1 point for first place, 2 for second, etc... We add
up your three best finishes. Low score wins! Please feel free to enter
a single race; you do not have to participate in the entire series
to enter any of the races. Limited to the first 100 runners.
Tamari Solari was the winner of the 2007 Grand Prize from Saunders Jewelry -
Sterling silver and 14 karat "experienced" gold - Custom made Mountain
goat pendant with a diamond and Montana sapphire.
2007 Trail Series
Race Thoughts...
I just wanted to say again that these were really cool races! I've always thought mountain runs through woods are the best runs to go on, and the scenery and atmosphere were great!
If you want my critique, I'd have to say the first race was the
prettiest aesthetically, the second race was the most fun and exciting,
and the last race was by far the toughest. The third race had some
great scenery, was challenging, and had a bizarre format (playing
catchup and all), but next year if the courses remain the same,
I'll definitely be crapping my pants throughout the series knowing
that fourth race is comming up! That course was a meat GRINDER!!!
It took me till monday afternoon for my guts to return to normal
after that race! GREAT RACES!
The runners in Helena are
really cool cats, too. It was nice to meet them, and I look forward
to seeing them again around the state in the future, which I'm sure
I will... distance runners tend to run in big circles.
Thanks again,
Nathan Taylor
Race #1 - Goats in the Meadow: Saturday, August 16th, 2008 - 8
AM
Little Blackfoot River Trailhead, 7.3 miles. Directions
to Little Blackfoot Trailhead
Run up to Little Backfoot Meadow on scenic, non-technical singletrack. Course has rolling hills with a net uphill on the way out, then downhill on the way back. You will cross the Blacfoot River twice, once with an opportunity to get your feet wet. Allow 1 hour to go to the trailhead from Helena. Parking is limited so we recommend carpooling.
Race #2 - Goats in the Dark: Friday, September 19th, 2008 - 8
PM
Tubbs Trailhead, 3.2 miles of fun in the dark (full moon).
This race is B.Y.O.H. - "Bring Your Own Headlamp." The course makes a single loop along the Ambrose & Diretissima Trails, with a finishing sprint on Le Grande Cannon Blvd. Course is marked by glow sticks.
Race #3 - Goat Pursuit: Sunday, October 12th, 2008 - 9 AM
Mt. Helena Ridge Run, 6.6 miles point to point time-trial format.
The trolley shuttle will leave the Helena Public Library at 8 am
to carry runners to the top.
The course starts with switchbacks up to the Helena Ridge, the rest of the course is primarily downhill on moderately technical singletrack, finishing at Dump Gulch Trailhead. This race is run as a time trial format - a runner will start every 30 seoconds, starting with the slowest runner. If this is your first race in the series, please send a recent 10k or 12k time.
Race #4 - Goat Grind: Sunday, October 19th, 2008- 10 AM
Elkhorn Endurance Retreat (597 McClellan Creek Road, Clancy), 4
miles. Directions
to Elkhorn Endurance Retreat
One series champion referred to this course as a "meatgrinder." It has steep hills, a creek crossing, and some technical singletrack. Race is followed by a pancake brunch and awards ceremony.
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please Contact Us.
A total of 5 volunteers are needed for each race.
Sponsors
©2006 Helena Running Club, All Rights Reserved.
