Merrimack River trail race - new course

Over the last 26 years the Merrimack River trail race has undergone a number of changes to the course.  Most of the changes were subtle.  Some made the course faster (every one of the bridges saves times, the old beaver dam is now a concrete ditch) and a couple made it a bit slower (the addition of the 2nd climb on the power-lines).  This year the power-line hill trail has been blocked for good but a lot of work has been done created some new trails.  Since we'd have to change at the power-line anyway this seemed like a good time to change the course from a strict out & back to a "mostly" out & back.  This will make the race a lot safer as most runners will not have to dodge others.

The course:
The first 1.7 miles will be the same (as will the last 1.7 miles).  After the pumping station and road crossing we'll now head left into Deer Jump reservation instead of right.  This will add 200 meters (in each direction) and more importantly will add 50' of climb.  You may not notice the climb on the way out but you definitely will on the way back!

New Deer Jump

Old Deer jump section

The next change will be at the power-line to the turn & back.  The old course climbed the gully in the powerline, dipped down, then climbed again.  This year we will take a sharp left right before the powerline and have a longer steady climb.  At the new 4 mile mark we will cross the powerline then run a little of the old trail before hitting the brand new trail.  This trail is pretty cool.  It isn't 100% complete but it can be run.  There are just a couple of little sections that are almost a bushwhack and there is one stonewall crossing and another stony crossing.  Nothing very long nor very extreme but probably not quite as fast as the old course.  At 4.8 miles you'll pop out on the traditional course a little before the old turn, we'll hook a sharp left and start climbing back up to the powerline on the traditional course.  There are a couple of new bridges that make the climb faster than the old climb and right before the signature hill (Equestrian hill) we take a left and head across "Piekos Pass".  Once across the pass you'll be back on the old course.  Keep your eyes open as there could still be runners heading to the 4 mile mark as you head towards 6 miles.

New power-line and turn

Old power-line and turn