The Land of Light 100k
The Land of Light 100k begins at Virgil Parris Preserve on Sodom Road in Buckfield, Maine, with racers departing at 9:00 am. This is not a straightforward trail ultramarathon: solo participants complete 100k by running 25k on trails and cycling 75k between land parcels. Two-person relay teams can divide the tasks as a duo. The event incorporates six distinct trail systems. The fully human-powered category prohibits e-bikes, meaning all movement between parcels relies on legs and pedals. The course starts with a 3k loop at Virgil Parris Preserve, then directs participants over Streaked Mountain into town before proceeding through trail sections at Roberts Farm Preserve, Noyes Mountain, Witt Swamp, Shepard's Farm, the Crooked River parcel, and Hawk Mountain. The running segments include a 5k loop at Roberts Farm, a steep 4k lollipop on Noyes Mountain, a rolling 8k lollipop through Witt Swamp and Shepard's Farm, and a 4-5k forest loop on the Crooked River parcel. Racers may use GPS and any open public road to reach the parcels; however, road travel is open, unsupported, and subject to normal traffic laws. Relay teams may switch riders or runners at any trailhead. The finish is located at an overlook on Hawk Mountain, offering a view south across Bear Pond. The course features artwork and statues along the way. The race supports TruStrength Tomorrow and the Western Foothill Land Trust of Maine, with proceeds directed to TruStrength Tomorrow, a nonprofit providing scholarships for local youth.
