Mega Muffun Run

If you have ever wanted to complete all four of the contiguous Musquodoboit Wilderness Trails at once, here is your opportunity! November 11th at  9 a.m. is the start of the new MEGA Muffun Run. 

This event is now 99.98 % wilderness  trail, which means starting at the very beginning of the Gilbraltar trail, and finishing on the Admiral Lake Loop. It is about 24km in total, 1000 metres elevation gain,  and will take approximately between 3.25 hours, and 5 hours. There will be one water/snack station this year, at the intersection of the South ridge and the Admiral Lake Loop (approximately the three quarters mark).

The sign-in is at the Bayer's Mill Rd. entrance! But, the run BEGINS at Gibraltar parking lot -  that is the north-most parking lot at the very end of the Musuquodoboit Rail Trail about 15 km up the Meagher's Grant Road. So the run goes in a general North-South direction.

There are two cut-off times on the run (no one has ever missed the first cut off time by the way). The first at the intersection of the North and South Ridge trails, is 2 hours, ten minutes. If you are over this time, you will then run/hike the rail trail back to the finish. The second cut-off time is 3 hours 45 minutes at the intersection of the South Ridge trail and the Admiral Lake Loop. If you are past this time, you will continue along the Turtle Brook trail to the rail trail to the finish. If you can maintain a minimum 12'45' min./km you will meet the cutoff. Volunteers will be at both locations.

While this is an opportunity to do something unique and adventurous, it will require extra COOPERATION between runners to shuttle cars. Please organize your ride before you drive to the start line. The run finishes at the end of Bayer's Mill Rd. Trail entrance at the gate. It is advised you park your car here, or one of your fellow runners park a car here on Bayer's Mill Rd. in order to retrieve the other  parked vehicle from the Gibraltar parking lot. 

There will be treats at the Bayer's Mill Rd. Gate at the end of the run. It is highly ADVISED to leave a bag of warm dry clothes to change into with me or someone at the finish- you may have to wait otherwise for cars to be unlocked, or driven, etc. This is not  a requirement, but you will thank yourself for your good planning. As per tradition, there are no awards or prizes per se, for this run, just the joy of accomplishment.

This is a very difficult trail to run, ie. similar to the Bluff Trail, but with more roots, rocks, and ups and downs. It is highly advisable to wear a running shoe designed specifically for trail running. Conditions are slippery this time of year, and slow, so expect a double digit minutes/kilometre pace. Mandatory items include: one litre of water, and gels/snacks, windshell, and charged mobile phone. If you do not have a phone, please buddy up with someone who does. There will be a trail map with the race director's number handed out at registration.

Sign in is done at 8:30 am. the morning of the run, so please arrive early to switch vehicles, and register and drive to the start. Runners are required to read and sign a legal waiver, and also fill in the sign-in sheet.

 

In summary:
Bring your pack with food and water 

Sign in at the finish line, leave your warm dry clothes here.
Drive to the start -- approximately ten minute drive.
Have fun.