Just would like to say I wholeheartedly enjoyed this year's High Rock Challenge. Loved the mystery events. The cargo net and sand bag events were fantastic. However, I would dump the 3 legged event or at least shorten it. The race should definitely end with at least a mile of straight running. The course was fairly well marked. A couple of spots were unclear but we didn't lose much time finding the correct trail. I wonder if you would consider lengthening the course to 10 miles next year.

Marc Covitz
Team Jade

This commment is regarding the High Rock Challenge held on April 27. As a first time participant of this race, I would like to say that the high rock provided me with a great challenge both physically and mentally, until we got lost. Myself and my teammate, along with about 15 other poor souls, got lost for over 30 minutes in the woods after being told to follow the "orange blazen trails"--whatever that meant. Because we started at the beginning of the pack, we ran in circles for miles, until someone came to our rescue and put us back on track for the course. I believe that the unmarked trails and disorganization of the event needs to be improved upon before many of my friends and I will race in this event again. There needs to be a person directing participants which way to go when there are many choices. Getting lost in the woods had to have been one of the most frustrating things that could have happened after working so hard to maintain our top position in the race. Those who started later in the race were given an unfair advantage of having a "director" after we had gotten lost, and therefor finished before we did! Something is wrong with that--don't you think? Please rethink your organization and trail markings for next year.

Shannon F.,
Fitness Floozies

As soon as the 1st team ran up the hill at the High Rock Adventure Race, they ran back down because they did not know which way to go. Many other teams got lost and did not finish. My team was luck to finish as I guess we made the right decisions on some unmarked trails. Maybe the person who started the runners could have told us to make the right turn as we waited for our start and maybe the trails could have been marked a bit better. I know some teams who were lost would have had great times since they are great runners.

We had a great time. It was the first time we ran it and plan to do it again next year. My only comment is that I think that you should have age categories for the winners, instead of one open field. Like an 18 and under etc. Carrying sand bags that were half our weight was tough, but we did it and still finished in the top 20. We were probably a few of the youngest competing that day. Anyway, thanks for the good time and plenty of stories to tell.

First and foremost -- thanks and congratulations. This was truly an outstanding event. The diversity of the challenges was very well thought out. Equally impressive were the organization and logistics. It must have been an enormous amount of work. But it paid off big time. The atmosphere and camaraderie were the best I've ever experienced at any race.

Okay, you guessed it. After the compliments, on to some bitching and moaning....which pales in comparison...but it still worth mentioning. The numbers pick up was a huge hassle for those of us who live in Manhattan and use public transit. For me, this was a four hour round trip. For others, it was closer to five. (The post 9/11 subway closures complicate things.)

Suggestion for next year:

• allow one rep to pick up numbers for more than one team
• it would still be teams' responsibility to coordinate distribution among themselves and show up and their assigned time or be DQ'd

I overheard several Manhattan teams saying they had a great time, but wouldn't do the event again next year unless the pick up could be improved. That would be a pity. It's a great event that deserves much bigger participation.

Anyway...come what may...thanks again for a great time!

-Dan
NY,NY

Thanks for putting on a well organized and fun race. The course was great and the special events were a blast.

Doing it all to honor fallen NYPD Officer John Kelly was even more fulfilling.

I can't wait for the next one!

My partner and I ran in the HIgh Rock Challenge on Saturday and just have to say, WHAT A GREAT RACE. It was the best-organized and most fun event we've ever been in. The food afterward was outstanding, the volunteers were incredibly helpful and encouraging, and the other competitors really showed team spirit and even helped each other out on the course. The whole vibe was great, really positive and fun. You do a fantastic job. We just wanted to tell you this so you can pass it on to everyone involved--as runners, we really appreciate everything you do to create this event. Even the t-shirts are high-class! We will definitely be back for more NYARA events in the future!

Kelly Winters
Bayville, NY

Just did your race on Saturday!!! Had a great time, you guys put on a great show!!! Thanks!!

Jan Stone
NY