Challenge Met

The 2008 Hyner Trail Challenge was held last Saturday in Western Clinton County and many of the participants soon realized why the organizers chose the name they did for the event. The terrain in that area of Sproul State Forest and Hyner View State Park does indeed offer a challenge. There you can find both kinds of trails … up … and … down … with not much else in between.

As always, the Western Clinton Sportsmen were very gracious hosts. The club house was the location for the start and finish of the race. Most importantly it was the site where a well-deserved meal was offered to the participants.

There were a few minor injuries and at least one complication with severe dehydration. The warmer than normal weather added to the challenge and brought a few too many insects out to play as well.

Thankfully there was an ample number of volunteers on hand to take care of those situations and for those requiring assistance received it as needed. The check points were supplied the necessary fluids, snacks, trainers and emergency personnel and were offered with the hospitality we are all accustomed too.

I was pleasantly surprised too see so many familiar faces in the race. Many I have known for a number of years and some more recent acquaintances. I hope I also began some new friendships with those I met for the first time, Saturday.

I spent the bulk of my day where the trail crossed the Hyner View Road as the hikers would cross to start their decent down Huff Run, the same trail they used for their ascent to Hyner View. With 14 of the 16 miles under their belt, I was impressed by how many smiles I witnessed. Those smiles widened as they learned they had only two miles remaining.

The shear number of participants (over 650 in all) would seem to be a monumental task to organize such an event. However, all seemed to go very well from what I was able to witness. Planning for such an event would be far more difficult without the dozens of volunteers behind the scenes assisting with the effort. Special thanks to all the local businesses who donated food, snacks and drinks. Definitely a tip of the hat and thanks to the WCSA, employees from Sproul State Forest and Hyner Run and Hyner View State Parks.

Whether the hikers finished in record time or finished as the sun was setting behind the mountains the just traversed, they were indeed smiling because, yes, they had accepted and met the challenge.