by Andy Styer
Miller Mountain 25k is a second-year event west of Scranton near Tunkhannok. It is billed as one of the most difficult sub-ultra trail runs in PA. My ears perk up a little bit when I hear the word “difficult.” I train in difficult, I race in difficult, and I live for difficult. (Trail running, that is.) The only way to find out is to sign up!
So it turns out there were quite a few local friends running this. We had our unofficial club photographer (Fred Foose), our hometown hero (Steven Holgate), our badass lady Pacers (Joan Bunn, Joanne Van Horn, Elaine Cook, Sheri G), and, last but not least, Mr. Preston Sleppy! Quite a local showing to tackle this one.
Back to the course.
This is a beast. I wouldn’t say it was terribly technical terrain, but it certainly wasn’t Blue Marsh terrain either. You definitely needed to pay attention! There were 4 major climbs, each over 1000′, with descents to match. Very few flat sections on this course. So, in other words, you were either going slow up a long hill, or flying fast down a hill! There were also some muddy spots on the course.
Before the race, I thought finishing this in under 3 hours was a do-able goal, but as I was nearing the top of the last steep climb, the math wasn’t working, and I thought the 3-hour goal was gone. That last climb, by the way, was a similar climb to the Torbert Climb (used on the Eastern States and Call of the Wilds courses). Plus it’s right near the end, but you are rewarded with a fast 2-mile downhill section which can be fast if you have ANYTHING left.
So, did I hit my 3 hour goal? Yes – but I had to really burn the last mile to get it. The last mile was the fastest mile (7:02), and I crossed the finish line with both legs cramping at a time of 2:59:13, 15th overall!
Super fun event! Lots of food after, and just a great small-race feel. 80 runners finished the 25k run (winner at 2:09!), with a 25k hike that had 22 hikers, and a 5-mile run that had 114 finishers. This race is now part of the Rocksylvania series, and it’s a must do, in my opinion!
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