Aiken Trails Club NewsletterOctober Edition
Aiken Trailblazer
Half Marathon/10k/5k/Kids Fun Run
October 25
Trails Club Calendar:
2025
October 4 @ 8am – Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk with Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society
October 25 @ 8am – Aiken Trailblazer at Stable View Headless Horseman Half Marathon/10k/5k/ Kids Fun Run
Registration HERE
November 1 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
December 6 @ am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
2026
January 3 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
January 24 @ 8am – Battle of the Run Clubs 10mile/10k/5k hosted by Aiken Trails Club at Stable View
Registration HERE
February 7 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
February 27 – March 1 – Yeti Dark Horse Ultra (event will not be hosted by Aiken Trails Club)
Registration HERE
March 7 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
April 11 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
April 18: Aiken Trailblazer at Stable View Spring Race
May 9 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
Barry’s Trail Club Welcome Letter
It’s interesting watching a business grow. You have plans to go down a specific path, but on the way, you find interesting, complementary opportunities that are quite different from your original plans. When we started the Aiken Trails Club @ Stable View, we thought about training evenings, a few competitive and not so competitive races, walks, strolls and jogs.
Little did we know that we’d get the opportunity to provide Stable View Trails for Schools and their Cross Country Teams.
Another out of the blue opportunity came from Yeti. After a verification visit, they decided that they’d run one of their events here - it’s at the end of February and entries are over 100. RV and Apartment bookings are full and we’re renting Stalls as spaces for competitors Tents.
Little did we know…… As entrepreneurs, we’ll go where the leads take us. One of the advantages of being a private facility is that there are no Committees and we can make very quick decisions.
We’d also like to think that what’s good for Stable View is good for the Aiken Community. That Community growth also helps us when we try and remember our roots as the original “Gathering Place”. See you soon, thanks for being a part of our Community….the Stable View Team.
Fall migration is HERE!
The Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society will also be out on the trails during the first Saturday group run/walk on Saturday, October 4. If interested in tagging along with their members, please reach out to Mary Pallon at msm612@aol.com.
For more information about the Augusta-Aiken Audubon Chapter and to see their upcoming events, please visit their website HERE.
Fall Aiken Trailblazer @ Stable View
On Saturday, October 25, celebrate Halloween with a Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids
Fun Run on the trails at Stable View, sprawling over 1,000 acres of gently rolling hills bordered by canopies of forest.
Costumes are optional, but there are also awards for best costume…
Most Unique
The Scariest
Best Superhero
Best Family & Friends Group Register HERE
Proudly Sponsored By:
REGISTRATION OPEN: Yeti Dark Horse
24/48 Ultra in 2026
The inaugural Dark Horse 24/48 Ultra at Stable View will take place from February 27-March 1, 2026 on a 4-mile loop in Stable View’s trail system, with options for both solo participants and team relays. This event is more than just a race; it's an opportunity to test your limits, discover your strength in the dark, and connect with a community that supports one another—loop after loop, mile after mile. For more information and to sign up click HERE
The registration waiver fee code for all 5K runners/walkers is now active and ready for you to share (enabling all your runners / walkers’ $25 entry fee to be removed entirely).
Upon using your QR code and filling out their details, there will be a prompt for them to use the below code: trailblazers25
The OG Trailblazer -The Buzz About Yellow Jackets: A
Cautionary Tale
As summer rolls around and trail running season kicks into high gear, outdoor enthusiasts often find themselves navigating not only the terrain but also the wildlife that thrives in these natural spaces. One creature that can turn a peaceful run into a harrowing experience is the yellow jacket. Known for their aggressive behavior and painful stings, yellow jackets are a concern for trail runners who may inadvertently disturb their nests.
Yellow jackets are a type of wasp known for their distinctive black and yellow pattern. They are highly social insects that can be found in a variety of habitats, including wooded areas and open fields. Unlike bees, yellow jackets can sting multiple times, making encounters with them particularly alarming. These insects are attracted to sweets and proteins, which is why a careless snack break on the trail can quickly draw their attention.
Trail runners should be especially cautious in late summer and early fall, when yellow jacket colonies are at their largest and their foraging behavior becomes more aggressive as they prepare for the colder months.
Take, for instance, the story of my grandfather, a resourceful man who had a deep connection with nature. He employed an intriguing method for both tracking and harvesting yellow jackets by setting out something sweet, like watermelon rind, to attract the yellow jackets. Once they were drawn to the sweet treat, he would follow them as they buzzed back to their nests in the quiet of the evening, when the insects were less active and easier to approach. This careful observation wasn’t just an exercise in curiosity—it was a means of resourcefulness. Once he located the nests, my grandfather would use smoke to calm the yellow jackets, allowing him to harvest their larvae, known for being prime fishing bait. This technique not only highlights a unique aspect of trail history but emphasizes the need for respect and caution when interacting with wildlife.
The OG Trailblazer Trails Report:
Here are some tips to stay safe from yellow jackets while enjoying the trails...
1. Avoid Sweet Scents: When packing snacks, choose less aromatic options that won't attract yellow jackets. If you do indulge in something sweet, try to eat it in a closed area or put it away promptly.
2. Stay Aware: Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. If you notice a significant number of yellow jackets in a certain area, steer clear.
3. Keep Calm: If you do encounter yellow jackets, remain calm. Sudden movements can provoke them. Instead, back away slowly and avoid swatting at them.
4. Run Smart: If you see a nest, don’t attempt to engage with it. Remember, the best trail etiquette is to leave nature undisturbed.
5. Know the Season: As my grandfather recognized, yellow jackets are particularly active during late summer and early fall. Planning runs during cooler parts of the day or outside peak activity times can minimize encounters.
Whether you’re racing on the trails or just enjoying a quiet stroll, keep the legacy of resourcefulness alive, just as my grandfather did, and forge a respectful relationship with the wildlife that shares our paths.
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.
During 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.
HAPPY FALL Y’ALL
October is a month of change, the temperatures start cooling, leaves start changing and best of all, the marathon & half marathon calendars are in full swing! With the cooler temps and lower humidity comes faster race times. Breathing is easier enabling long distance runs a bit more fun, giving us that renewed motivation and more energized to complete the year’s goals. October tips:
*What you wear is most important, making sure you don’t over or under dress. Check your temps before going out for your run.
*Hydration is still a necessity. Just because the weather is cooler doesn’t mean you don’t have to continue to take in fluids. You still need to hydrate!
*Don’t forget to adjust your running gear with the time change as the early morning or late evening runs may now be in the dark, so remember the reflective wear and lights. Lastly…
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If you don’t have your fall goal set yet and you are inspired and rejuvenated by the cooler temps, there’s still time to train. Check out your local run guides. And if you haven’t registered for the Aiken Trailblazer Half Marathon, 10K or 5K, no problem, there’s still plenty of time!
Get to Know Your Trails: Orange Loop
By Sarah Hansel
The Orange Trail is 0.6 miles long and has 282 feet of gain. When combined with the Blue and Yellow trails to form a single small loop, it is approximately 1.5 miles.
To help you find the Orange trail, I am going to describe this small loop. You will first start at the beginning of the Blue loop, heading left towards the Clay Pit. Follow this clockwise until you reach the Crossroads, the intersection of the Red and Blue trails. From here, you will stay on Blue for a few hundred meters. Immediately before the Blue trail ascends a small hill, there will be Orange markers and a small single track off to the right. This is the beginning of the Orange trail.
A fun single track will wind thru the forest. Look closely for the Orange markers, but also the blue flags that still remain in the trees. Eventually you will pop out on a double track, where you will head to the right for maybe a quarter mile and then make a sharp left back into the forest and onto singletrack.
A little ways in, you will drop down and cross a small stream (there are two cinder blocks to help you across) followed by a winding path back up the bank.
This will eventually pop you back out on a lovely doubletrack, where you will take a right and proceed uphill, eventually meeting up with the Yellow and Blue Trails. Continue on the Blue Trail back through the Clay Pit to complete the loop.
Aiken Trails Cl b L Map:
