Aug. 31 run to kick off Tussey Mountainback’s ‘Discovery Training Series’
STATE COLLEGE, PA – Aug. 28, 2024 –If you ask a local runner what season it is, they might tell you it’s time for the Discovery Training Series in Rothrock State Forest. Organizers of the Tussey Mountainback established the group run series to help runners experience the scenic roads of the forest. The series takes place on eight consecutive Saturday mornings beginning Aug. 31.
Runners can participate to enhance their own fitness or use the series as preparation to take part in the Mountainback’s main race events, to be held Oct. 26–27. This year’s events include a 50-mile relay, ultramarathons of 100 miles, 50 miles, and 50 kilometers, a half marathon, and a kids’ mile run.
The Discovery Training Series group runs begin and end at various locations in Rothrock State Forest. Participation in the series is free. Donations may be made in support of the Centre Region Down Syndrome Society. CRDSS is the official beneficiary of the 2024 Tussey Mountainback.
“The Discovery Training Series is an ideal way for runners to experience parts of the Mountainback’s 50-mile course in a low-key format with friends,” said Mike Casper, director of the Tussey Mountainback. Each run in the series showcases one or two segments of the 12-leg course, covering a distance that varies between 4 and 9 miles.
Runners can also use the series to meet other runners and make plans to form a relay team or become more familiar with the course for the half marathon and ultramarathon options.
“I was unsure about signing up for the 50k,” said Diane Swauger. “I was encouraged to go out on a group run, and I was sold. Beautiful scenery and confidence on the roads had my mind set on giving it a try.”
For the initial run on Aug. 31, interested runners will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the main parking lot of Tussey Mountain, on Bear Meadows Road. A series schedule is available at https://www.tusseymountainback.com/discovery-race-series. The meeting time for each of the series runs is 7:30 a.m. Information about the October race weekend events is available at www.tusseymountainback.com.