Ghost Train 30 hour, 2026

Preface

The Ghost Train Trail Race (GT) has been on my radar for a bunch of years because the buckle is simply outstanding.

Now, I haven't finished a 100 mile race since 2019.  In that time, I've had two arthroscopic knee surgeries, and underwent some major life changes.  Five weeks prior to this race, I drove up to MI to run a 100km trail race, crewed and paced by my friends.  That was my first ultra in almost 6 years, and my last long run before GT.

About the Race

GT takes place in Brookline, NH. The description from the race website 

Race along the old railroad tracks that were used in the late 19th and early 20th century to ship granite from Milford and ice from Lake Potanipo in Brookline to Somerville and Cambridge, Massachusetts.  The rails themselves were removed for scrap metal during World War II, but a few of the railroad ties are still in the ground and can be seen on the trail.

The trail itself is mostly straight, flat, and well groomed with only one hill.  Approximately one mile of each 15-mile out-and-back is paved and the trail areas will be well marked.

It's a 7.5 mile out and back.  You run that 6 times, then do a 5 mile out and back to finish the 100 mile.  The one hill is at approximately mile 6 of the course, so you don't have to do that during the last loop.

Race Day

 I flew in to Manchester airport on Friday with just a carry on and my hydration pack.  I had arranged with a wonderful woman named Robin, who was staying at the same hotel I was, to give me a ride to the race, and use a corner of her staging area.

Robin, her husband Brian, and I ate our hotel breakfast Saturday morning.  Then we headed to the start line.

Not the best oatmeal I've had

Historical weather states that it was 46°F at 9am, race start time.  It sure felt way colder than that.  I attribute that to the fact that it was 90° at home when I left.

I was cold

My plan was to walk the first mile at ~14 min pace, then run/walk as the mood struck.  That first mile gave the field some time to spread out.

There are three aid stations on the course.  One at the start/finish, one at the 7.5 mile turnaround, and one a little more than 4 miles from the start/finish.
I breezed through that middle one without stopping the first time.
I think I picked up some oreos and topped off my water flasks at the turnaround.

I was going to ride the line between burning out and banking time for the first two loops.

You have to maintain an 18 min/mile pace to finish 100 miles in 30 hours.

My first 15 miles was completed at a 13:01 pace.

To be honest all of the daylight loops and all of the night time loops have already blended together in my head. I never once ran with anybody for more than a couple dozen yards.  I listened to my mp3 player in one ear for most of the race.

On the second loop, I decided to take care of my feet when I was finished with it.  When I pulled into our camp spot after officially starting the third loop, I stripped off my socks and shoes, wiped down my feet, reapplied lubrication, and put fresh socks on.  I remember telling a guy sitting at the camp spot next to ours, "While I don't feel like a whole new man, I do feel like half a new man".

The third loop was my last Saturday loop done completely during the day.

I also took care of my feet after loops three and four.

I did not have a great time during the night loops.  It got cold: down to less than freezing.  I was forced to slow down, just because it was more difficult to see the terrain (roots and rocks).  I also had multiple issues with debris getting into my shoes and socks.  The course was primarily covered with pine needles, but there were plenty of parts that were gravel. I kept getting all of that in my shoes and socks.  So I would sit down on the trail, take off the offending item, and clean everything out.

The middle aid station, Powerline, was going to be closed from midnight - 7 am due to lack of volunteers.  I don't recall what time I passed them on my way out, somewhere around 10pm, but I told the volunteers thank you, as I wouldn't be seeing them again.

But lo and behold, on my way back, after midnight, it was still manned!

Thank you to all those who volunteer at ultramarathons.  I've done them unsupported, and it is so much harder.

Dawn broke on my last full loop.  I was looking forward to my last loop that involved that hill.

Because I had taken so long out on the course during the night loops, I hadn't taken the time to take care of my feet the last couple of loops.  I had developed some blisters on the balls of each foot.  Not incapacitating, but annoying.  My right knee was also barking at me.

The last five miles were pretty tough for me.  All I wanted was to be done, yet I couldn't really move that fast due to my feet and knee.

When you come back into camp, you run by the finish until you reach this little covered walking bridge.  You go through that, turn around, and head back to the finish.

That last time through that bridge was such a relief.

And then I was done.

Here's the link to the GPS data https://s.coros.com/Lv8vAafQ

Two silly numbers

• I burned 12,030 calories
• I took ~198,481 steps

Lessons Learned

• there doesn't always have to be a Long, Dark, Teatime of the Soul.
• sometimes you just go slower at night, but mentally it's NBD
• It's much easier to do these things with a crew.  That's the thing that ate into most of my time: having to take care of everything myself.

pretty damn sweet

Postlude

I've taken to making short vlog updates for my kids and friends that may be following me. Here's the YouTube of them stitched together