Breakneck Point Trail Runs

Ben Nephew was back for a 3rd year and win # 3 at the Breakneck Marathon but the return of Adam Russell after his 2nd place to Ben last year had different thoughts about how the race would turn out...

It's always an adventure at Breakneck! This was my 3rd year capturing the event and I look forward to it each and every year! In the past I took both videos and stills but this year I just focused on pausing a single moment of some amazing athletes out enjoying their adventure. 

In its third year the Breakneck Point Trail Runs did not disappoint. The weather proved to be ideal once again and the runners were greeted with a beautiful, grueling rollercoaster of rocks that never let up until they reached the finish line. Congratulations to the MPF RNR athletes, the MPF Adventure Club & Clients and to all of the runners, organizers and volunteers!

Today was indeed an adventure! We met this morning at the Mount Beacon Trail Head and ventured out to the Breakneck Point Trail courses covering several + miles.  At points we went off course taking advantage of the abundance of snow with our snowshoes. 

Here is our video of the 2nd running of the Breakneck Point Trail Runs in Hudson Highlands State Park, New York.

After a year of running with the MPF RNR Team, I was excited to return to the place where it all began, the one and only Breakneck Point Trail Marathon! 

Here is a video of the inaugural Breakneck Point Trail Marathon & 25k! This was an epic day for all the athletes that showed up ready for an adventure on one of the toughest courses out there. 

Up Up Up. Those are words my 15 month old daughter says to me to be picked up. Those are words that one could also use to describe the Breakneck Marathon & 25k race held on 4/18 in Beacon New York. The course was a combination of monster climbs followed by brutal descents. 

The target all winter was the Boston Marathon, so 90-100 mile weeks and key sessions and bi-weekly long runs with one week per week 15-20 miles. All went well-ish. However come late March...

In addition to Iain Ridgway racing at Breakneck, we had Denis Mikhaylove, who beat me two years ago at Escarpment and is one of few runners to break 3 hours on that course, Ryan Welts, former owner of several FKT’s in NH, and Carlo “the Jackal” Agostinetto, who just ran a 1:13 at the NYC half marathon. While Ryan had not gotten in much running due to all the snow up north, I knew he would be tough on the climbs

The trail season coincidentally began with the first real day of spring in the area. Since Warren Street’s friend Sebastien introduced me to the Breakneck Ridge Trail last summer, I’ve visited the trail a half dozen times, enjoyed it with dry, humid and icy/snowy conditions. I even loved to initiate a wonderful chase (I only started it, then the big dogs came to claim the territory) for the Breakneck/Beacon FKT...

What an inspiring day at the Breakneck Point Trail Marathon & 25k! Many amazing athletes seeking to push themselves to the limit and beyond. Congratulations to all of the runners and thanks to Red Newt Racing, Run on The Hudson Valley and the volunteers that made this race possible!

Earlier in the winter, or should I say the extended fall, I was thinking that this run on the Breakneck Point race course might be relatively snow free, or at least have somewhat fast conditions. How things change!  I can easily say that that was my slowest, uh, attempt at forward motion, ever!

Today we scouted out the Breakneck Point Trail Marathon and 25k course in the Hudson Highlands State Park, NY.  Julian and I wanted to see if it would be feasible for the MPF RNR Trail Team to do the marathon course this weekend but we knew that the conditions were going to be tough and slow going.

Red Newt Racing is excited to bring one heck of marathon to the Hudson Valley of New York! The Breakneck Point Trail Marathon & 25k will take place Saturday, April 18th, 2015. This is an incredible course and the stories you will get to share when you have finished will last a life time!

Date: November 2nd, 2014
Location: Breakneck Ridge, Northern Hudson Area of New York
Adventure: 12.5 miles, 5,500 feet elevation gain