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Summary
THE
A behind-the-scenes look at trail races and race directing in Pennsylvania—where logistics, chaos, and questionable decisions meet the woods. Part field notes, part long-winded opinion, and part rediscovery of races past. Also an exploration of the places that make it all possible—the overlooked landscapes, their history, and the outdoor economy that quietly shapes them.
15 Years Around the Lake
Fifteen years in, Dirty Kiln still isn’t trying to be the hardest race—it’s just quietly becoming one of the most meaningful. Let me tell you something about Dirty Kiln. It’s hitting 15 years now—which, depending on how you measure time, either feels like a long run or like it all happened in one blur of mud, sweat, and “we’ll figure it out as we go.” I’ve directed a lot of races over the years. Short ones, long ones, and the kind that make you question your life choices some
11 hours ago3 min read
Then and Now, Still Moving Forward
A photo from 15 years ago stopped me long enough to realize just how much has changed—and what’s stayed the same. Someone sent me a photo recently. It was from 15 years ago at a pre-race meeting for the very first Dirty Kiln Trail Race. Clipboard in hand, probably saying something I thought sounded official. And wow… I look young. Black hair. Less wear and tear. A little more certainty than I probably deserved. I remember that version of me pretty clearly. I was frustrated mo
1 day ago4 min read
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An Open Letter to the Unprepared
Ultrarunning—especially Eastern States 100—isn’t something you stumble into. This is a reminder to show up prepared, informed, and ready to earn your way through every mile. It seems like every few weeks I feel compelled to rant about something. This is one of those times. Old Man Yells at Cloud. This one’s about taking it seriously. Not in a dramatic, self-important way. Not in a “this defines your entire existence” kind of way.bBut in the very real, very practical sense of
50 minutes ago3 min read
Sinnemahone 50k (2013)
[Note: This is the first of many race reports a blog I wrote called "Ben Runs on Beer" that I had when I first started trail racing more than ten years ago. ] PRE-RACE The week before the race I felt something strange below and slightly left on the outside of my left knee. It felt like I had a tendon that was moving around above my bone. There was no pain – just a slightly odd feeling. It started on the Sunday (6 days) before the race when I was on a trail run at Canoe Creek
3 hours ago23 min read
More Than Miles
It turns out all those miles in the woods aren’t just changing people—they’re changing entire communities. Not that long ago, maybe 10 years, give or take, if you tried to talk to a room full of economic development folks about hiking or trail running, you’d get a polite nod. Maybe a “that’s nice,” or "I don't like to drive that far." And then the conversation would move back to industrial parks, highways, and whatever the next big recruitment deal was supposed to be. Outdoor
8 hours ago4 min read
15 Years Around the Lake
Fifteen years in, Dirty Kiln still isn’t trying to be the hardest race—it’s just quietly becoming one of the most meaningful. Let me tell you something about Dirty Kiln. It’s hitting 15 years now—which, depending on how you measure time, either feels like a long run or like it all happened in one blur of mud, sweat, and “we’ll figure it out as we go.” I’ve directed a lot of races over the years. Short ones, long ones, and the kind that make you question your life choices some
11 hours ago3 min read
A Union at the Dirt Church
Officiating a wedding wasn’t part of the plan, but standing there, it was hard not to see the parallels between love and the trail. In the past four months, I’ve officiated a wedding. Actually... two. Which still feels a little strange to say out loud. I got ordained through the Universal Life Church for the first one, because the couple asked, and they were trail runners, of course. The kind of people whose lives already mirror the sport whether they realize it or not. While
11 hours ago3 min read
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