MT. MASOCHIST by Dale Weitzel - After 5 years it was time to go back to meet the challenge of my first and one of my favorite 50 milers in the Shenadoah Mountains of Virginia. It is a great achievement for me to complete this course in the 12 hr time limit to receive the Solopack finisher award. This year the point to point course left me running with some old and new friends, some feeling good & others not so good. After running a comfy pace and talking for 18 miles it was time to get moving after coming into an aid station just 1 minute ahead of 12 hr pace. With motivation and encouragement from John at the 1/2 way point where he kicked my butt and got me moving up Buck Mt. (3 miles up hill). Halfway up Buck I began hearing the theme from Rocky. Upon reaching the top, and feeling the words "I am strong now" I knew I would achieve my goal. It was a beautiful Autumn day that I was able to share with special people.

MOON SHADOW by Denise Kelly - Have you ever run by the light of the moon? I highly recommend it. Ask many of your fellow rats how much fun it can be. On Saturday September 5, a pack of RATS met at the Hamburg reservoir at sunset to experience magic. The King Rat could not have imagined, let alone pick better conditions. The air was cool, the sky clear, and the moon was full and bright.
    Quite a number of people assembled in the parking area and were given glow sticks courtesy of Mike Gallen. After donning the lights, the PACK was off on their adventure. Some people actually ran while others chose to enjoy the experience taking it easy and getting their money's worth. When we all reached the "pinnacle" we all shared a few moments taking in the incredible view. John wished for a lawn chair and beer! Next time we will have to cart them up. Some of the front runner got antsy and it was time to leave.
    Halfway back to the cars we came upon a clearing known as the "helopad" . Dale and I could not help but notice how pronounced our shadows were and that Cat Stevens song Moon Shadow just kept popping up. The reservoir was breathtaking with the moon reflecting off of the water. What a special night with special running friends! Next time the RAT PACK plans a moonlight run make sure you are there. It's worth the effort. If not for the magic of the run, come for the great food afterwards.

STAN & DANS 50K by Deb Berner - Eight RATS ventured to the Mt Gretna trails for a fun, low key and very runable trail run. The weather was ideal especially after the prior weekend at the conestoga where we boiled in our juices. Temps were in the 40's and one got wet more from brushing against the wet leaves than the rain. The course consists of 2 figure 8 loops o;n very nice single and double track trail. There is a fire tower located on the course around the 6 mile mark which if you choose to climb the ladders to the top you receive 10 minutes off your finish time. Anyone who planned to attend but bagged it because of the rain really missed out. The trail was wet but did not get noticeably muddy until the final half of the second figure eight. After playing in the rain and mud we stopped at a nice local eatery to restock all we had lost during the day.The place had something for everyone, even Buzzards. It was a great day and a fun run that will be missed if the rumor is true that it was the last running of the race. We will have to have a road trip for those who collected shirts but did not run. Worth the trip. ( Editors note: RATS won first  he and she divisions)

RUN ACROSS BERKS by John Weitzel - On October 25 six RATS started at dawn in Schuylkill County and headed SE to Chester County using available trails and roads. We were joined by the Sunday Run in  the Blue Marsh area where we froliced. Two talented SHE-RATS and one mentally challenged HE-RAT finished in French Creek 10 hours later.