Photo courtesy Kate Ryan, Trail Runners of Midcoast Maine
RUN WILD Mainers Find a Rush of Freedom Through Trail Running by SAISIE MOORE
What began as a pandemic necessity – with gyms closed and social distancing enforced – has become a bonafide obsession: Mainers all over the state have discovered or deepened their passion for trail running. Alone or in groups, runners traverse the state’s many trail networks in an effort to maintain physical and mental health. In 2021, The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands recorded an all-time high in visitor numbers at state parks, increasing eight percent on an already blockbuster record in 2020. What drives this fleet-footed trend and how can you join the pack? The Marsh Island Trail Runners have seen a surge in numbers since the pandemic began. “Last fall, we reliably had between four and ten people attending each week,” said organizer Brian Olsen. “Now it is more like 20 to 30.” Members include all ages and backgrounds .“We’re seeing folks who have been running all their lives and 10 Spring 2022
people who are trying this crazy thing out for the first time.” What draws these enthusiasts back week after week, whatever the weather? “At its core, trail running is more technical than road or treadmill running, but also more rewarding,” Olsen explained. “With rocks, roots, downed trees, and different trail surfaces, the experience can change almost every step, and you work an entire suite of smaller muscles and tendons for stability that you don't use on a consistently flat surface.” There’s a meditative aspect, too. “It's easier to stay present on the trail,” he said. “And you have to use a trail to get to some of the prettiest places in our state anyway. I've found that trail runners tend
to be less focused on speed and more on the route. They also may be a little crazier.” Beyond the group’s weekly Tuesday evening run, keep an eye out for its most infamous race: TUCARD (Terrifically & Unnecessarily Complicated Adventure Race and Duathalon). “In a state like Maine, where most of the land is privately owned, good trail running depends heavily on private landowners providing public access,” said Olsen. “We started TUCARD a few years ago as a fundraiser for land trusts that preserve public access. At its core, the race is about adversity amidst absurdity. Because really, it's a very silly race. In the months beforehand, you only know where the race
