‘Little Loggers’ hit the trails in the Pennsylvania Wilds
- by Guest Contributor
- July 7, 2018
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Clinton County recently saw its first-ever trail race strictly for children!
The Little Loggers Trail Fest held June 30, 2018, drew more than 200 youngsters, ages 12 and under. The free race, about three-miles long through Sproul State Forest, was sponsored by local trail challenge organizers, the PA Trail Dogs, with generous support in the form of a $3,000 donation from ReVibe Gear, a new company that is interested in supporting outdoor programs for kids.
Adults could run with their children, but there were also volunteers all along the course to assure safety.
Nehemiah Laudermilch from Wyalusing, PA, was first to cross the finish line, completing the course in just 20 minutes, 20 seconds, saying simply, “It was fun.”
It was the 10-year-old’s first race in Clinton County, although he said he’s done similar events elsewhere.
Isabelle “Izzy” Sanders, age 9, from Williamsport, was the first little girl to finish. She was seventh overall, with a time of 25 minutes, 49 seconds.
Her twin sister Maddie was just a few minutes behind Izzy, placing 23rd with a time of 29 minutes, eight seconds.
Race director Craig Fleming, who also serves as race director for other wildly popular local trail challenges such as the Hyner Challenge and the Boulder Beast, called the Little Loggers event “really inspiring,” and said he’s excited to start the planning for another Trail Fest next year.
Tania Jacobsen, who founded ReVibe Gear just this past December, said the company accepts donations of like-new and gently-used trail gear – mainly road and trail sneakers, hydration packs, and the like – and then sells those items at discounted prices to people who may not have as much of a budget for outdoor gear as others.
“We wanted to use the proceeds from those sales and give back locally to projects with a purpose, especially those that bring children to the outdoors,” said Jacobsen, adding that the inaugural Little Loggers race exceeded her expectations. “You could tell the race was really a confidence builder for the kids. Seeing all of the happy faces, the excitement and passion for the outdoors, it reminded me of the people and the atmosphere you see during the Hyner View Trail Challenge, brought down by 20 or 30 years!”
Participants ranged in age from three to 12 years old and came from across Pennsylvania and several surrounding states. The last competitor to cross the finish line completed the course in one-hour and 27 minutes.
The Western Clinton County Sportsman’s Association Nature & Environmental Center in Hyner served as the start/finish for the event, which also included other fun and family friendly activities and presentations, give-aways, food and drink.
Complete Little Logger Trail Fest race results can be found here.
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Information for this article was submitted by the Clinton County Visitors Bureau.
