What began with five “Millennium Men” running a 4.67-mile loop in Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area continued with its 25th year (event was not held in 2020 for obvious reasons), as four Creek Road Runners and one dog navigated the trails.

A fifth, trail run–veteran CRR Bruce Hubbard, came not to run but to help the others celebrate by being part of the traditional pre-run group photo.

Greg Cauller, not a CRR but a friend who has run at this event before, is in a different class altogether. He led from the start and tacked on an additional two-plus miles, winding his way all over Fair Hill.

Led by his able dog Bandit, CRR Dave Schultz ran with CRR Mark Deshon for the initial couple miles. Along the Big Elk Creek, Deshon spotted a great blue heron flying downstream. After turning east away from the creek and coming up the rise, off to the right there was a gorgeous sight of the frost-covered meadow hill glistening in the morning sunrise. Part-way up the hill, Deshon made the tactical decision to take a big shortcut, due to a lack of training, thus avoiding the steeper hill.

Schultz and Bandit finished several minutes after Deshon, having run the entire 4.67-mile course, which included the muddy and leaf-filled “monster” hill (as CRR Vic Kaliakin calls it).

At the beginning of the run, CRR Bill Rose decided to run and spend social time with fellow UD retiree CRR Bob Opila. They completed their run, and at the same time, Cauller was seen heading toward the parking lot, finishing his longer run from the center road.

Rose’s wife, Karen, and daugter, Emily, who had gone for a walk after the men started out, set up the refreshments table as the runners were returning several minutes apart. Everyone enjoyed coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts before departing to enjoy what remained of 2024.