PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The MountainOne Steel Rail Races will be held on Sunday, May 18, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with a Boston Qualifying Marathon followed by a Half Marathon at 8:30 and an 8K race at 9.

 

The events will start and finish at the Crane Avenue entrance to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

 

Route 8 access to the Route 8 Connector Rd will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The runners begin in Pittsfield following the rail trail north, then will cross Route 8 in Cheshire as they continue to Adams and back.

 

Race directors ask the community to expect delays in traffic.

 

More than 650 registered runners from 23 states including runners traveling over 2,600 miles to take part in events this weekend hosted by the Berkshire Running Foundation and sponsored by MountainOne.

 

The Berkshire Running Foundation produces the event as part of its nonprofit in which it creates and advances the positive impact the running community has on the neighborhoods in which we live.

 

Since conception of the event, more than $60,000 has been donated back to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. This year, the Foundation races will surpass $300,000 dollars donated back to the communities in the Berkshires. 

 

The Foundation will next host the Lions Club Memorial Day 5K in Lee on Monday, May 26.  More information on the Foundation can be found at their website www.berkshirerun.org.