Aiken Trails Club May Newsletter by StableView

Trails Club Calendar:

2026

May 9 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk

June 6 @8am - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk

June 25 - 28 - Camp-Run-A-Muck Running Retreat - For more information or sign up HERE

July 11 - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk

August 1 - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk

September 1, 2026 – Middle School X-Country Meet

September 5, 2026 - Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk

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

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

2027

January 23, 2027 - Battle of the Run Clubs - For More information or sign up HERE

Barry’s Trail Club Monthly Letter

A couple of years ago, we were trying to work out what diversification at Stable View would look like.

How could we find an activity that could take place mid-week, could compliment equestrian activities, and could use the back 850 acres.

Little did we know that the Trails Club could become so successful so fast. The Trails has become a catchall title for runners, joggers, walkers, and ramblers. It's become home to Half Marathon runners, 5k and 20k, plus Trainers.

When we add a Marathon to the list, we'll be offering a diversified fixture list of events for many different groups of athletes.

One area of great pride is that Schools are also using Stable View for training....and while this isn't year-round, it's growing fast, with some of the youngsters competing recently amongst adults.

I guess we're going into the summer season. Please don't forget, we're always looking for new ideas.

Have a good summer!

The Stable View Team

The Trailhead: Your Starter Pack for Ultra Obsession

by Sarah Hansel

If you’ve ntains for 20 plus hours at a time, you’re about to find out. Ultra running isn't just a sport; it’s a high-stakes soap opera set in the most beautiful places on Earth.

Whether you’re stuck inside on the treadmill or just looking for some "runspiration," these six videos are the perfect jumping-off point to becoming a full-fledged fan:

The Global Stage: My absolute favorite series on YouTube follows the Golden Trail World Series races. Start with the GTWS 2024 Marathon du Mont-Blanc Recap to get a taste of the competition...and then dive deeper into the years of fun footage from around the world. It’s fast, it’s technical, and it shows why the Golden Trail World Series is the Formula 1 of trail running.

The Grit: If you are looking for a quick bit of insane inspiration, check out Zach Miller at The North Face EC. Zach’s "leave it all on the trail" style is legendary and perfectly captures the raw intensity of the sport. To watch the full race, search for "Miller v. Hawks" and see two of the sports greatest runners go stride for stride for the better part of 50 miles. The best part of this amazing finish is that ten years later, and just a few days ago, Zach and Hayden just had a rematch and finished in a similar style at the 2026 Canyons 100k.

The Multi-Sport Beast: Watch Heather Jackson’s UTMB Journey. Seeing a triathlon pro pivot to the world of ultra-distance trail racing is a masterclass in versatility and toughness. Heather is a no frills athlete, puts in the work, and let's her results speak for themselves. She's cool, down to earth, and impossible not to cheer for.

The Road-to-Trail Crossover: while technically not an ultra or a trail runner, this series following Clayton Young on his journey to the Paris Olympics and beyond is an absolute inspiration to watch. Fast is fast, no matter the surface, and while I love watching the workouts, the best part of the series for me was to see the struggle and the doubts and the humanity behind it all. Try this recent episode following Clayton Young’s Boston Build, or scroll back a few years and watch him build to the Olympic Trials and then eventually Paris. Or continue watching as he methodically works his way towards LA 2028.

The Hometown Hero: Try "The Kid" and watch Hans Troyer immediately before his recent world domination. Hans started his trail running career in Augusta, GA with a win at the FATS 50k and has since gone on to win the JFK 50 Miler, Black Canyon 100k and will soon be running as one of the favorites at the Wester States 100.

The Human Spirit: Finish with the UTMB Extraordinary Humans series. Like the Golden Trail races, these longer events are set in some of the most spectacular scenery around the globe. If they don't make you want to travel the world, I'm not sure what will. These videos are literally the reason I started trail running....I can still remember sitting on my couch in 2012 with my computer on my lap, randomly watching Kilian Jornet running that loop around Mont Blanc and thinking, I don't even know what this is, but I know someday I have to do it.

Fair warning: watching these may result in an immediate urge to buy more hydration vests (and maybe a few plane tickets!) and sign up for a 50k or more. Happy trails!

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.

Throughout 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.

May is Here!

Spring is in full bloom. The Aiken Trailblazer springtime event has come and gone. Congratulations to all that participated. It was a beautiful day and a most successful event. Now it’s time to get ready for those fall marathons. So many awesome races in September October, and November. Two of my very favorites are the Marine Corps marathon and the New York City marathon. But new to the calendar is our Mummified Marathon. As we’re adding 26.2 miles to our Halloween extravaganza on October 24, 2026, right here at Stable View. If you are interested in our marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K we are offering a special 25% off using the discount code HALLOWEEN26 that is good through Cinco de Mayo, May 5th. For registration and more info simply click HERE.

There are so many marathons in the fall and a lot of Marathon training programs. I highly recommend not going it alone. There are so many wonderful groups. And there’s nothing like having your running buddies help you with accountability! When I began my Marathoning career, I didn’t know anyone in the Running community. My dentist told me about a program which I decided I would give it a try, that was the Jeff Galloway Marathon training program. Through that program, I made lifelong friends and completed thirty marathons and many, many half marathons. There are programs to fit just about any athletic ability.

However, if there are no programs near you, contact your local Running club or Fleet Feet. They will be happy to connect you with some running partners.

For those that are not into long-distance Running, May is a beautiful time of the year to simply enjoy the trails whether it’s by mileage or by time. The foliage is beautiful so you will most likelybe able to capture some great photos.

Happy Running,

Coach Victoria

Thank You from The Aiken Trailblazer

Thank you to all the participants, volunteers, and sponsors at this past Saturday’s Spring Aiken Trailblazer Half Marathon/15k/5k/Kids Fun Run! Your continued enthusiasm and support for those sneaky hilly trails from runners, joggers, walkers, and hikers motivates us to continue making the Aiken Trailblazer better with each iteration. We hope to see you on Saturday, October 24 for the Fall Aiken Trailblazer! th

The OG Trailblazer: Seasonal Trail Awareness

If you’ve spent any time outdoors this time of year, you already know— spring doesn’t ease in around here, it typically shows up all at once. One minute it’s cool mornings and bare branches, and the next, everything’s greening up so fast you can almost hear it growing. Birds are busy, days are getting longer, and due to the drought, it is the first time in ages the Blue Loop has been completely dry. But spring and early summer come with a bit of a warning label since everything reemerges with warmer weather.

photo submitted by Andy Ash

First —poison oak. It’s already coming in, and if you’re headed out on the Red Loop, you’d do well to keep your eyes open and not wander off the trails. It doesn’t appear menacing, especially when everything is leafing out together, but it will make you uncomfortable if you brush up against it. Leaves of three, as the saying goes, but it can still catch you off guard if you’re not paying attention. Best advice I can give is to stay centered on the trail and think twice before stepping off into the brush, even just a foot or two.

And while you’re minding where you step on the Red Loop, keep an eye out for brush nettle, too. It has spiky leaves and attractive little flowers that might fool you into thinking it’s harmless. It’s not. Brush up against it and you’ll be itching before you know what hit you. Growing up, we called them “pee-wees,” and anybody raised around here knows exactly why. The old remedy for the sting is about the same as what folks say to do for a conversation, medical advice or a rem

Poison Oak

Brush Nettle

Then the ticks have also made their appearance. I have already spotted a few, which is not surprising given how mild it’s been. Once the temperature creeps up, they’re out there waiting—low brush, tall grass, anywhere they can latch on as you pass by. You won’t feel them at first, and that’s what makes them tricky. Long pants and light-colored clothes help so you can see anything crawling, and a good check-over when you get off the trails. It takes only a minute, but it’s worth every second.

None of this article is meant to scare anyone, just help you to be prepared. These plants and animals are in forests throughout the area and add just enough wildness to remind you that you are not in the middle of town. Lace up your shoes, bring some water, and take your time out there. Just watch where you step—and stay on the trails.

Camp-Run-A-Muck

Join the fun at Camp Run-A-Muck this summer — where your inner kid gets to stay up late, play in the dirt, and run wild… just with better snacks and a slightly earlier bedtime.

This 3-day, all-inclusive running and wellness camp is set at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina — a sprawling, trail-laced playground built for adventure, connection, and a whole lot of good, sweaty fun. Think summer camp… but upgraded for grown-ups. Your days are packed (in the best way) with trail runs, coaching workshops, nutrition chats that actually make sense, yoga to stretch it all out, and even a self-defense session to keep things interesting. In between? Chef-prepared meals that’ll make you forget all about cafeteria food, plus plenty of time to kick back, swap stories, and make new friends.

Pictured below are the camp’s three primary facilitators. Click the link (Camp-Run-AMuck) to learn more about each of them, the camp, or reserve your spot!