OTHTC Summer 2020 Challenge Series
July 20 through August 30, 2020
Dianne Rindt, RD
I really enjoyed organizing this series of solo virtual trail runs, sharing some of my favorite trails. We motivated, challenged, and supported one another! Thank you to everyone who signed up and braved the heat and at times smoky air to take part.
Our concept was a six-week series of virtual solo trail runs, where a participant would run or hike the week’s assigned course on their own, at any time during the week. The courses were described using online course maps that could be followed using a GPS course-capable watch or phone application. We also included some course marking flags to supplement the navigation. To introduce a competitive aspect, participants could document their activity time and track using Garmin Connect, Strava, or another online service. Series points were awarded each week, and the best 5 of 6 event points were totaled at the end. Series male and female points leaders in six age groups will be receiving awards.
Altogether we had 42 participants sign up. Not all of these turned in times or tracks, but I hope everyone got some inspiration from our routes. We had 30 people complete at least 5 of the 6 courses, and 26 of those complete all six!
Eric Kajiwara offered to create a cute roadrunner metal sculpture as a drawing prize for those completing all of the courses. With poor air quality conditions getting more frequent, we relaxed that requirement to any five courses.
Despite this being just a virtual event, there were opportunities for camaraderie. Participants posted their gps tracks, comments and pictures, to a Facebook event page, and people could comment on each others’ posts. Because of the heat, many of us did the courses in the early morning, so on a given morning, there might be several participants on the course, encouraging one another.
Congratulations to our series point leaders!
| Male 19 and Under | Zion Ortiz |
| Male 30-39 | Germain Ortiz |
| Female 30-39 | Cara Griffith |
| Male 40-49 | Josh Rivera |
| Female 40-49 | Connie Scanlan |
| Male 50-59 | Brian Hildreth |
| Male 60 and Up | Wesley Elmore |
| Female 60 and Up | Kirsti Smith |
A big thank-you to my husband Tom, who helped with the course marking, and who also supported my efforts with website duties. Also big thanks to Tony and Connie Scanlan, who offered to pick up the course marking ribbons at just the right time—at weeks 5 and 6 when I was worn out enough to take them up on it. And to others who offered to help, I appreciate your generosity as well.
For everyone who did not join us, but may still want to run or hike the routes that we ran and experiment with route navigation, here is the course information.