The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Physical endurance and lasting conservation share common ground on Saturday, April 21, when the 2012 Hyner View Trail Challenge expands the popular annual trail run into The Nature Conservancy’s West Branch Forest Preserve in north-central Pennsylvania.

For some of the endurance athletes who push their limits on the grueling course, ‘training’ may have included long days working on the trails through West Branch, work that allowed this year’s Challenge to offer a 50K ultramarathon option for seasoned trail runners. In an agreement between the Conservancy and the PA Trail Dogs (the race organizers), volunteers from the trail-running community have worked hundreds of hours restoring old trails and building new trails in West Branch. (see race route)

But it’s not just the runners who will benefit. The newly opened trails – about 15 miles of them in the Conservancy preserve between Sproul State Forest and Hyner View State Park – will provide year round recreational opportunities to hikers and trail runners. In the future, the Conservancy hopes these new trails that connect up with the state-run system will provide additional opportunities for hikers to explore this unique landscape.

Started in 2007 by a group of dedicated Central Pennsylvania trail runners, the PA Trail Dogs, the Hyner View Trail Challenge covers the toughest and most scenic trails in Northern Pennsylvania and annually attracts about 1,000 dedicated trail runners and hikers from all over Pennsylvania & the U.S. The second in a four race series known as the Central PA Trophy Series sponsored by Trail Runner Magazine, the Hyner View Challenge is one of the most challenging and exciting trail running events in the Northeast.

Conservancy staff and volunteers will host several checkpoints and aid stations on the West Branch property for this year’s race.