Grueling race now 30 percent longer
In August, the Town Board approved the Great Schunnemunk Traverse. The race starts and ends in Gonzaga Park in Monroe, but part of the trek takes place in Cornwall. It’s a long race. The views are spectacular, but there aren’t many people who will get to see them. The event traditionally attracts between 20 and 30 participants. It’s a tough race.
And it’s going to get tougher.
The organizers have proudly announced that the Sept. 26 race is 30 percent longer than its predecessors. In other words, it’s grown from 20 to 26 miles – the standard length of a marathon. But the race takes longer to complete than a marathon. There are two reasons – the terrain is rough and the course includes a vertical gain of 5,500 feet.
The Traverse was held in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
The winning times ranged from 3 hours 23 minutes to 3 hours 54 minutes when the distance was 20 miles.
There was also a 10-mile race. People in this event stopped at Gonzaga Park, where the 20-milers turned around and headed back to the starting line. Last year’s event was canceled due to COVID. And the virus was responsible for the organizers getting a late start this year.
Although the Traverse is, figuratively, in our back yard, there haven’t been many local participants.
Blake Haase finished thirteenth in 2016 when he was living in Beacon. He returned to Cornwall-on-Hudson and won the 10-miler in 2019. John Pozo (fourth), Jeff Geller (fourth) and Michelle Query (seventh) have also done well at the shorter distance.
Bill Thompson entered the 20-mile event in 2015 and had the distinction of being the second oldest finisher. Nick Schewtschenko completed the longer course on two occasions, breaking the five-hour barrier by a comfortable margin on the second attempt.
The organizers make the experience sound inviting.
“For those of you new to the race,” they say, “Schunnemunk Mountain offers stunning views of the Hudson Valley and the Catskills, challenging terrain, and a chance to sample the classic Long Path. For those of you returning, we’re offering 30% (or 160%) extra mileage this year…. This will be a hard race with some tough competition – just the epic day out on the trails you need. Come and join us!”