In the distance, the morning sunlight danced off of Swartswood Lake, perfectly framed by the Kittatinny Mountains. Walking to the starting line in the parking lot, volunteers from the town were still putting the finishing touches on the booths and attractions that would make up the Stillwater Day fair in a few hours. When the gun went off speedsters Chris Langhan and Todd Lippin were out like bullets, leading the field in a surge out of the park. We hung a right then a quick left onto the paved trail that winds its way through the woods and out onto the country road on the other side. The race benefits The Stillwater Bears, an innovative youth running program that enables young runners to receive high-caliber coaching and the opportunity to race, preparing them several years in advance for high school track and cross country.
Runners pass through the stop twice during the race.
One of the Stillwater Bears, Amanda Jones, handed me a much-needed cup of water my second time through the Momma Bear water stop, and I picked it up as I headed toward the finish. The last piece of the course takes runners through the Swartswood camp site. Exiting the campsite, it's time to kick. Yup, the beach. The Stillwater Stampede has a surprise ending unlike any other race.