BROOKDALE, N.S. – Not far from Anthony Fromm’s house is Frenchman’s Road, an old logging road/ATV trail that was once an actual listed government road. Today it is traveled mainly by recreational vehicles and wildlife.
On Saturday, Dec. 9, it will be a thoroughfare for a group of runners taking part in The Frenchman’s Revenge, a new trail run conceived by Fromm as a fundraiser for the Bridge Adult Service Centre in Amherst.
“I saw something not long ago about people stealing recyclables, damage to the building, and theft of stuff people were leaving there as donations,” he said. “I’d been kind of thinking about a trail run here for awhile, so I thought it would be a good organization to do it for.”
Starting at 10 a.m. from the Fromm house at 10 Carroll Crescent, the route will take runners on an out-and-back course into the woods along a logging road for about 2.5K before it becomes more of an ATV trail, eventually meeting Travis Road and returning.
The total distance will be 11K, although a less-woodsy 5K option will also be offered.
Fromm is hopeful for good weather, but reminded participants that it will be a trail run.
“If it’s dry at the end of the week, the road shouldn’t be too bad,” he said. “No one should expect to have clean feet at the end. Bring a different pair of shoes and a dry pair of socks for after.”
The run has been coming together quickly since he decided to move ahead with it last week. Promotion has consisted of a simple Facebook event posting, with invites to the local Amherst Striders running community, and other trail runners Fromm knows from the Moncton and Halifax areas.
Runners will pay $20 to take part, with all of the proceeds going to the Bridge.
“I’m hoping for a good turnout… my guess would be about 30 people,” he said. “We already have $260 in donations up front so far, from people that can’t make it.”
Fromm is hoping the event will also be away to introduce trail running to those who have not tried it before.
“There are a lot of people who are just deadly afraid of going on trails,” he said. “They just don’t. Hopefully this will be a way to get people to see it’s not that bad.”
A free glass of Fromm’s home brew will also greet finishers.
