Trail Dawgs Running Club

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Trail Dawgs Running Club

Welcome to the Traildawgs Athletic Club "Advice Column" and General Information page! The Trail Dawgs Athletic Club has a reputation. Need help? Ask!

For the Dawgs social group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/176498355761908/ For being a bunch of crazed, trail-running maniacs. Our first bit of advice: read what we suggest, and do the opposite.

05/11/2026

Launched for the season. All seems to be working except windlass. Will need to trace for an in- line fuse since no breaker connected. Good friend Stewart helped get new GPS installed.

04/27/2026

Forest Bathing Triple Crown – social run for training

This past weekend was perfect for forest bathing and social running! Thank you all for participating. Several runners went out on Saturday before the rain arrived. Others ran on Sunday, which turned out to be a very nice day - a bit chilly but perfect running conditions. On Saturday, Ryan Vandenberg ran the Triple Crown (w/ some extra miles) and two groups ran the Half. On Sunday, Tim Cole and Luc Claessens ran the Triple Crown joined on the Half by Tom Hanson. Dwight Swaney also ran the Triple Crown (w/ some extra miles). Several more runners did shorter distances. Below are the results that were reported. Happy running and see you on the trails!

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Triple Crown (Half, 10K, 5K)
Ryan Vandenberg: 6:48:13
Dwight Swaney: 6:12:41
Tim Cole: 4:55:17
Luc Claessens: 4:41:55

Half Marathon
Tom Hanson: 2:52:35

10K, 5K and other distances
Peter McLaughlin (4.8M hike and 10K)
Jeff Sydenstricker (10K)
Brigitte Sheehan (run and 4.8M hike)
Kevin McCooey (4.8M hike and 5K run)
Tim Gorzynski (4.8M hike)
Hunt Bartine (4.8M hike)
Mark Holliday (4.8M hike)
Loren Thomas (4.8M hike)
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04/25/2026

The forest and the creek are calling your name! The Forest Bathing Triple Crown social run is tomorrow, Sunday. Everyone is welcome to join, there are no signups. See previous post for info. The 5K will be minimally marked with cones, the other distances will NOT be marked. Runners will self-report their finish times online (there will be a QR code). Hope you can join us!

04/22/2026

The date of the Forest Bathing Triple Crown has changed to this Sunday (04/26), because of rain on Saturday

04/19/2026

THE DATE HAS CHANGED TO THIS SUNDAY (04/26), BECAUSE OF RAIN ON SATURDAY

Forest Bathing Triple Crown – social run for training

This year’s Forest Bathing Triple Crown is a social run for training. It is NOT an organized event. The courses won’t be marked and runners will self-navigate. Hope you can join us!

Date: Sunday April 26, 2026
Location: White Clay Creek State Park - Carpenter Recreation Area
Distances: half marathon, 10K, 5K
Start times:
* Half marathon – 8:30AM
* 10K – 11:30AM
* 5K – 13:00PM

Spring is a perfect time for forest bathing! Come and join other runners and breathe the forest air, hug a tree, smell the flowers, listen to the frogs, watch the birds, and dip in the creek! Three distances in sequence: half marathon --> 10K --> 5K. Run one distance or any combination. Runners who do all three distances can boast that they ran the Triple Crown - a challenging, fun and rewarding experience that will boost any runner’s performance!

Couple of things:
• This is NOT an event: This is a social run for training. It is low-key run on an unmarked course and no bibs and no signups etc.
• Parking: Please carpool. Regular parking fees are in effect (park pass or pay $5 for DE vehicle, $10 other vehicles, use credit card or cash).
• Start/finish: We will start/finish at the side of the parking lot where you enter. Bring a camp chair.
• No water or aid: You will need to carry your own water and other supplies.
• Navigation: The courses won’t be marked. You will need to self-navigate or run with someone who knows the course. Below are GPS files as well as online maps that will show your location.

GPS files: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xXx5Lr4YKmADPbY5TkxVppCJSXJhVF05?usp=sharing

Online maps:
* Half marathon: https://onthegomap.com/s/ikk238lj
* 10K: https://onthegomap.com/s/k2ani5ir
* 5K: https://onthegomap.com/s/b33rahlt
(To see your location, click on the location symbol in the bottom left corner.)

For questions, contact Luc Claessens ([email protected]).

03/21/2026

Preventing tick bites

Going out on the trails? Then don’t forget to apply tick repellent! Most people don’t know that it only takes a quick tick bite to end up with a condition called alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a severe allergy to mammalian food and byproducts (beef, pork, dairy, etc.). A few of us Trail Dawgs have this condition. You don’t want to get this! There is no cure. The lone star tick is the main vector and they are rapidly expanding their range. The only way to avoid getting AGS is to prevent getting tick bites. As soon as they bite, they transmit the alpha-gal antigen. Worse yet, tick larvae and nymphs can transmit it too. So this is very different from other tick-transmitted diseases, which typically require a prior blood meal and for the tick to be attached for a while. So relying on old school methods, like doing regular tick checks, showering etc. is not going to keep you safe. You need to prevent getting ticks on you! And check your dogs too!

For tick repellent I recommend picaridin spray (Deet is another option but it destroys plastics). I use a picaridin spray can made by Sawyer that I use on my skin, clothing and shoes. In addition, you should treat clothing, shoes and gear with permethrin. You can also mail in clothing to get treated.

AGS is more than a severe food allergy to beef, pork, dairy etc. It is a syndrome. Apart from common allergic reactions, sometimes anaphylactic, it can lead to hidden inflammation of the brain, arteries, joints, tendons, muscles, etc. It can produce fume reactions. It increases the chance of bee sting allergy. The list goes on. I have had most of this. Other people have other unusual and sometimes unexpected symptoms. Not everyone has it this bad and I don’t want to scare you. Also, not every tick bite results in getting AGS. So don’t be alarmed. Just be cautious. So if you don’t do this already, definitely use an effective tick repellent, and treat clothing and gear with permethrin.

See you on the trails! And please share this post!
Luc Claessens

03/11/2026

Equinox run on the Mason-Dixon Trail is on Sunday! One of the most beautiful trails in the area. It is not too late to join!

03/09/2026

Join us for a 50K trail run or shorter distance on one of the most beautiful trails in the area!

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Equinox Run is next Sunday! The weather is looking great. Anyone can join so feel free to share. The trail is in excellent shape thanks to the hard work of Dave Strine. We will again have an aid station, and post-race food on the Shank’s Mare porch. And what about a race memento? Yes, we have that too, a herd of stegosaurus are looking for a home! The best thing though are the absolutely beautiful trails that you will be running. So join us! We are helping to organize transportation for 25K runners, but you want to sign up soon, early bird gets the worm. We will be sending more info to registered runners in a few days.

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Mason-Dixon Trail Spring Equinox Run 50K/25K
Sunday March 15, 2026

The spring and fall equinoxes are times of celebration, and what better way to celebrate than to go for a run on one of the most beautiful trails in the region! Run the most fun part of the Mason-Dixon Trail twice(!), an out-and-back starting at Shank’s Mare and turning around past Otter Creek campground. This section of the M-DT is one of the most scenic and most challenging. Especially the 50K is a tough course (8,000 ft gain). The 50K runners start at sunrise and finish by sunset, while the 25K runners start at 11:30AM near the 50K turn around point. There are various options for shorter distances too. The Equinox Run is organized as a self-supported run: only water provided and shared food and drinks, no crew, no pacers (no drop bags this year). We will help organize transportation for 25K drop-off. Free (supported by PHUNT/Trail Dawgs). Organized by Luc Claessens, and Roxanne and Dave Strine.

Detailed run information is here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12dR0q0KxrXncydhIZIsxIL6yQzcmAZvM?usp=sharing

Runners should register using this online form, which also includes a waiver:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTU7u79AsdpWS5UXtpqs9MypKEKphlZqb9Hwn0RYxHLWfxTw/viewform?usp=sharing

You can view who signed up here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PV0naoeMVpcygzKtG21vV6ACWDj-UXhdZ4ZGbd8XA0Q/edit?usp=sharing

We communicate using our Google Groups email list. Add yourself to this list (search for "MDLD") or ask our list administrator to be added ([email protected]).

Luc, Roxanne and Dave
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03/01/2026

Join us for a 50K trail run or shorter distance on one of the most beautiful trails in the area!

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Mason-Dixon Trail Spring Equinox Run 50K/25K
Sunday March 15, 2026

The spring and fall equinoxes are times of celebration, and what better way to celebrate than to go for a run on one of the most beautiful trails in the region! Run the most fun part of the Mason-Dixon Trail twice(!), an out-and-back starting at Shank’s Mare and turning around past Otter Creek campground. This section of the M-DT is one of the most scenic and most challenging. Especially the 50K is a tough course (8,000 ft gain). The 50K runners start at sunrise and finish by sunset, while the 25K runners start at 11:30AM near the 50K turn around point. There are various options for shorter distances too. The Equinox Run is organized as a self-supported run: only water provided and shared food and drinks, no crew, no pacers (no drop bags this year). We will help organize transportation for 25K drop-off. Free (supported by PHUNT/Trail Dawgs). Organized by Luc Claessens, and Roxanne and Dave Strine.

Detailed run information is here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12dR0q0KxrXncydhIZIsxIL6yQzcmAZvM?usp=sharing

Runners should register using this online form, which also includes a waiver:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTU7u79AsdpWS5UXtpqs9MypKEKphlZqb9Hwn0RYxHLWfxTw/viewform?usp=sharing

You can view who signed up here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PV0naoeMVpcygzKtG21vV6ACWDj-UXhdZ4ZGbd8XA0Q/edit?usp=sharing

We communicate using our Google Groups email list. Add yourself to this list (search for "MDLD") or ask our list administrator to be added ([email protected]).

Luc, Roxanne and Dave
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02/15/2026

White Clay Creek State Park needs our help! Please contact your state legislators!

We need your help to ask your state legislators to reallocate funds from the Big Pond project to support funding priorities in White Clay Creek State Park (WCCSP). Please see sample letter below to send to your representatives.

The Trail Dawgs are a voting member in the WCCSP Citizen Advisory Council, a citizen group created by the Delaware legislature to advice on the operation of the park. The Citizen Advisory Council recently passed a resolution to request the legislature to reallocate funding from the Big Pond project to support funding priorities in the park.

What is the Big Pond Project? The Big Pond project is a controversial project to create a large fishing pond on a site where there used to be a shallow pond for duck hunting. Many people are not in support of this project. Big Pond would be very expensive to build, there would be environmental impact, and it would require additional infrastructure. The project is now at the permitting stage. While some funds have been allocated for construction, the actual cost of the project will be much higher. And on top of that, the park already has a fishing pond nearby. Given the current funding constraints at the state level and the pressing need to fund priority projects in the WCCSP, the Citizen Advisory Council requested the legislature to reallocate funding from the Big Pond project.

The Citizen Advisory Council would like to see funds reallocated to high-priority items listed in the Master Plan. This includes the park office move to the Carpenter area and some other building related projects. Funds should also be reallocated to nature-based recreation. As the Trail Dawgs representative, my top high-priority item in the Master Plan is the area of Chambers Rock Bridge and surroundings, which desperately needs improvement for pedestrian safety. Also, connecting the trails along both sides of White Clay Creek in that area would provide huge benefits to trail users.

Thanks for your help!
Luc Claessens
Trail Dawgs rep WCCSP Citizen Advisory Council

Useful links:
https://dnrec.delaware.gov/parks/planning/white-clay-creek-master-plan/
https://www.whiteclayfriends.org/park-info
https://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/controversial-project-to-restore-white-clay-creek-state-park-pond-doubles-in-cost/article_babbec54-c8bc-11ee-b376-e75fd37d13d3.html

///// SAMPLE EMAIL /////

To: [see email address below]
Subject: Reallocate funding Big Pond WCCSP - [Your Name]

Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name] and I am a resident of [Your City]. I am writing regarding the Big Pond project in the White Clay Creek State Park (WCCSP). I am supporting the request by the WCCSP Citizen Advisory Council to the legislature to reallocate funding from the Big Pond project to support funding priorities in the park. I am writing to urge you to consider this request. Big Pond is not a high-priority project, it would be very expensive and cause environmental impact. I would like to see funds reallocated to high-priority items listed in the Master Plan. This includes the park office move to the Carpenter area and some other building related projects. Funds should also be reallocated to nature-based recreation. One top high-priority item in the Master Plan is the area of Chambers Rock Bridge and surroundings, which desperately needs improvement for pedestrian safety. Also, connecting the trails along both sides of White Clay Creek in that area would provide huge benefits to trail users. Allocating funding to these high-priority items is very important to me. I am a frequent visitor to the park to go running and biking. Providing safe outdoor experiences should be a top priority.

Thank you for your time and for representing our community. I look forward to hearing your position on this issue.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]

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Legislators:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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[email protected]

Address

Newark, DE

Website

https://traildawgs.blogspot.com/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/176498355761908/

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