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Volume 2 Issue 4

Aiken Trails Club Newsletter August Edition

The Trailhead with Sarah Hansel

Cross Country Season: Welcome Back to the Trails Club’s Youngest Members

In this edition you will find: Club Calendar.................................................................3 Trails Club Monthly Letter..........................................4 The Trailhead: The Trailhead: Recent FKTs Lighting Up the Trails...................................................6 Coach’s Corner: August...feelin’ hot, hot, hot........9 The Cross Country OG: Colby Bauersfield.............12 New & Updates.............................................................16 Trails Club Map.............................................................17

Trails Club Calendar:

2026 August 1 - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk September 1, 2026 – Middle School X-Country Meet September 3, 2026 - High School X-Country Meet September 5, 2026 - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk September 8, 2026 - High School X-Country Meet September 15, 2026 – Middle School X-Country Meet October 3, 2026 - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk October 20, 2026 – Middle School X-Country Meet October 22, 2026 - High School X-Country Meet - Senior Invitational October 24, 2026 – Fall Aiken Trailblazer Marathon/Half Marathon/10k/5k/Kids Fun Run For more information or sign up HERE October 29, 2026 - High School X-Country Meet - Regional Qualifier November 14, 2026 - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk December 5, 2026 - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk

4 2027 January 23, 2027 - Battle of the Run Clubs - For More information or sign up HERE February 26-28, 2027 - Yeti Dark Horse 24/48 Hour Ultra April 2027 - Aiken Trailblazer Half Marathon/15k/5k/Kids Fun Run May 15, 2027 - UltraTrax Hiking/Rucking Event June 24-27, 2027 - Camp-Run-A-Muck

Trails Club Monthly Letter August has arrived, indicating the peak of summer heat, a new school year, and the return of the youngest members of the Trails Club for cross country practices at Stable View! Since the inaugural cross country meets last fall, the number of events has doubled for this Fall. Preparation for this season has been underway since the school year wrapped up in May, with prepartion by both the middle school and high school leagues. Throughout the summer, coaches and organizers have been diligently planning and measuring the courses. These young competitors primarily race on the equestrian grass cross country course, which means that most of the trails stay open for members to train on during meet days. Make sure to check the Trails Calendar for the scheduled meet days, and come out to support the athletes by cheering them on! The Stable View Team

The Trailhead : Recent FKTs Lighting Up the Trails by Sarah Hansel

The ultrarunning world rarely sits still, and the past few weeks have delivered a flurry of impressive Fastest Known Times across some of the sport’s most iconic routes. From the long grind of the Pacific Crest Trail to the jagged spine of Corsica and the classic fells of the Lake District, athletes have been rewriting the record books. Here’s a look at four efforts that have caught my attention. Aurélien Sanchez Claims the PCT On July 23, French ultrarunner Aurélien Sanchez finished the Pacific Crest Trail in 45 days, 20 hours, and 15 minutes. The supported effort covers roughly 2,650 miles from the Mexican border to Canada and improves on Karel Sabbe’s 2023 mark of 46 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes by more than 16 hours. Sanchez averaged close to 56 miles a day. He dealt with desert heat, wildfires, road closures, foot issues, and the usual logistical headaches that come with a multi-week supported push. His partner Lucille Malgouyres and a small crew kept him moving through the Sierra, Oregon, and Washington. The final stretch included long days that sealed the record.

François D’Haene Reclaims the GR20 Corsica’s GR20 has long been called one of Europe’s toughest longdistance trails. On July 9, François D’Haene reminded everyone why he remains one of the most respected names in the sport. He covered the roughly 160-kilometer route with around 12,000 meters of climbing in 29 hours, 46 minutes, and 20 seconds. That time improves on Lambert Santelli’s 2021 record by just over 40 minutes and returns the mark to D’Haene, who first set it in 2016. Running supported through a heat wave, he relied on a crew of friends and family, ice-filled bandanas, and steady pacing to get it done.

Katharina Hartmuth Lowers the Bob Graham Round On July 24, Germany’s Katharina Hartmuth posted a new women’s record on the Bob Graham Round. The classic 66-mile circuit of 42 Lake District peaks with roughly 27,000 feet of climbing fell in 14 hours, 11 minutes, and 58 seconds. She improved on Beth Pascall’s 2020 mark of 14:34:26. Conditions were favorable, cloudy, dry, and not too warm, and Hartmuth had strong pacing support, including a stretch with Pascall herself. Technical sections around Scafell Pike and some stomach trouble tested her, but she held strong through the final legs.

Sophie Grant Chasing History on the Via Alpina While the other three records are already in the books, Sophie Grant (also known as Sophie Woods) is still out there. The New Zealandborn ultrarunner started the full Via Alpina on July 4 from Trieste, Italy. The roughly 2,000-kilometer route climbs through eight countries- Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, and Monaco- with more than 120,000 meters of elevation gain. She is aiming to beat both the women’s record (Tessa Caspers, 38 days 2 hours) and the overall mark (Jack Catterall, 35 days 21 hours). Running supported and averaging strong daily distances, Grant has been on pace for a sub-30-day finish. As of late July she was still moving well through the Alps, with the high western sections and the final drop to the Mediterranean still ahead.

Four very different efforts. Four reminders of how deep the current generation of ultrarunners is willing to go. Keep an eye on Grant’s progress...and on whatever comes next. The trails keep delivering.

Coach’s Corner with Victoria Victoria Seahorn, founding Race Director of the ING Georgia Marathon is a veteran of 30 marathons and numerous half marathons. In addition to her personal experience completing races, Seahorn has created training programs to guide more than 10,000 people to achieve their goal of completing marathons to 5K’s. T hroughout her career, Seahorn has been in demand as a speaker, coach, marathon pace group program organizer and leader. She is the race director of The Aiken Trailblazer at Stable View trail races.

August...feelin’ hot, hot, hot August, especially here in the south is extremely hot for what seems to be like forever! But, not to worry, September will be here before you know it. Actually, some stores have already started putting out Halloween decorations. Which means, cooler weather will be in our future. For now, don’t push it with thoughts of speed. Rather utilize this time to work on endurance. Slow down your pace, go by distance, not time. For those with races scheduled for this fall, take advantage to figure out your proper hydration and nutritional intake to prepare you for your upcoming race.

There are so many different electrolytes, protein, energy drinks and foods, only you can tell which works best for you. Listen to your body. Not the media hype. Just as important as fueling your body is replenishing and recouping. Especially with the heat and humidity. Again, listen to your body and take the extra hydration, food and rest necessary for proper recovery. Even though we’ve covered this previously, I think it is important to again. Heat exhaustion. Please be aware of the signs. Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is of the utmost importance. Run with a friend, don’t run alone, if possible, especially when there is a heat advisory. Be aware of not only your feelings but the signs of your buddy next to you, if you are running with someone. If either of you show signs such as disorientation, dizziness, rapid heartbeat or nausea, stop running. Try to find shade, cool down, if you can get a baggie of ice and water, apply it to the back of your neck, your groin and/or your wrists and drink water.

It’s a great time to slow down. Embrace the trail running community. Volunteering for a race is a wonderful way to not only help the community, but meet new friends who share the same passion. Working on trails is also a great way to “give back” and help ensure the future of trail running. There are parks that are struggling and volunteering for a little hard work goes a long way… Finally, August will be over before we know it with cooler temps and less humidity starting in September. So be patient, run smart and stay safe. Happy Running, Coach Victoria

The Cross Country OG: Colby Bauersfield

In a remarkable blend of equestrian and athletic coaching, Colby Bauersfield coaches middle school cross country at St. Mary’s while also organizing meets on the 3-Day Eventing Cross Country course and trails at Stable View for the Aiken-Augusta Middle School League. Bauersfield’s philosophy centers on fostering growth in young athletes by emphasizing the importance of gradual progression, highlighting that overtraining is a common pitfall, particularly for young athletes at such a crucial stage of physical development. Her primary goal is to ensure that these young runners not only improve but also remain healthy and enthusiastic about the sport.

Maintaining motivation throughout the season, especially during tough workouts or races, is another key focus for Bauersfield. She believes that practice doesn’t always have to be intense. Incorporating fun days into the training schedule helps keep everyone engaged and motivated. Additionally, grouping athletes during training allows them to encourage one another, promoting teamwork over competition. In terms of meet organization, the responsibilities of coordinating cross country meets are substantial. Bauersfield oversees the entire process with other volunteer parents, which includes setting up the course, ensuring the starting area is organized, preparing the finish area and ribbons, plus starting each race in a safe and timely manner.

The ultimate reward of coaching middle school cross country lies in witnessing the growth and transformation of the athletes. Many begin their journey in fifth grade as inexperienced runners, yet by the time they reach eighth grade, they are markedly different—not only in their athleticism but also personal development. Observing the development of confidence, maturity, and a deeper understanding of the sport in these young individuals offers a satisfaction that transcends simply noting improvements in speed.

News and Updates The Bistro @ Stable View

Members will see a new smiling face at The Bistro: Chef Tripp! As Chef Tripp settles in, Bistro Hours are now 10am-2pm and the current, limited menu will continue to develop. Trail Maintenance Next round of mowing later this month! The Blazing of the Trails

Blazing of the trees has begun with fluorescent paint on the trees and will resume this August. The red loop is now complete and above is a diagram of symbols to help guide you on your next adventure!

Aiken Trails Club Loops Map:

Click here to join the Aiken Trails Club at Stable View.