Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK

Proceeds from the 2010 Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon, to be held in Rothrock State Forest on October 16, will support Centre House, an emergency shelter program of Housing Transitions, Inc. “Given the difficulty the average family has finding affordable housing in our area, the services HTI is providing are critical,” said Mike Casper, race founder and director. The Federal Reserve Bank, in a recent statewide housing report, listed Centre County as the worst in Pennsylvania in terms of affordability versus income.

Centre House provides shelter and food to families and individuals who are homeless or in crisis. HTI’s website states: “We believe that housing crises are caused by a multitude of personal and financial difficulties that must be handled properly in order to arrive at sustainable solutions. Providing individuals and families with a stable housing environment allows them to more effectively address underlying problems and increase their self-sufficiency and independence.” HTI’s mission is to assist families and individuals achieve a more independent lifestyle by providing a continuum of effective and well-managed services.

“We at HTI are extremely grateful that the Centre House building expansion and renovation project has been selected as the beneficiary of the 2010 Tussey Mountainback Relay and Ultramarathon race,” said Ron Quinn, executive director of Housing Transitions, Inc. “Our ability to provide a warm, safe, and supportive living environment to Centre County residents in need is the direct result of the overwhelming generosity of efforts like the Tussey Mountainback.”

Now in its 11th year, the Mountainback hosts recreational and competitive teams and ultramarathon runners from all over the United States. More than 600 runners took part in last year’s event. This year’s race will once again host a field of top ultramarathoners competing in the USA 50 Mile Championships.

The Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau is a major sponsor of the Mountainback event. Complete details and online registration are available at www.tusseymountainback.com. For information on participating or volunteering at the event, call 814-238-5918 or send e-mail to info@tusseymountainback.com. For more information about Housing Transitions, Inc. or Centre House, visit http://www.housingtransitions.com or call 814-237-4863.

The flyer put out by Appalachian Outdoors and titled “Trails: Embracing Hills and Sidestepping Injury,” summarizes it nicely: “Tara Murray used to dread hills. Over the past 9 years, she has grown to love them, seeking them out on the trails. An avid runner and veteran of trail events throughout Pennsylvania and the Northeast, Tara will present photos and describe her approach to enjoying the trail, training for hills, and staying injury-free.”

Murray will present her own experiences and insights on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m. The talk is part of AO’s “Free University” series of free events, held the first and third Thursdays at the AO store in State College. They validate parking and refreshments are served.

Murray writes a regular running column for the Centre Daily Times, in State College, Pa. She also leads a noontime hill workout every Tuesday on a range of local venues.

If you’ve been waitin’ for the thaw-out, Saturday will be an apt way to kick it off. The “Laurel Run Switchbacker 10K” is the first of five runs that form the 2010 “Tussey Teasers” series in Rothrock State Forest on the course of the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon. The series was started to give runners a chance to experience some of the scenic running venues of the state forest and the mOUnTaiNBACK course. Four of the five runs are free, and the series continues through June. For a schedule, visit the Events page.

The Switchbacker is an out-and-back run on Leg #1 of the Tussey Mountainback 50 course. The name comes from the two switchbacks that spread out the 700+ feet of elevation gain on unpaved Laurel Run Road. The turnaround is at the crest of the road at the juncture with the Mid-Strate Trail. The run is free and starts at 10 a.m. on Bear Meadows Road near the Tussey Mountain Ski Area. Water is provided at the turnaround, timing is provided, and some door prizes will be handed out.

The ascent half of this run is local senior runner George Etzweiler’s secret weapon for training for the Mt. Washington Road Race.

Participants sign a waiver for each Teaser run. These can be mailed in or brought to the start. All runners completing all five Tussey Teasers will be eligible for a grand door prize.

All the Teaser runs are free, except the Sidewinder (May 8), a WAVA age- and gender-graded race.