Runners endure heat during 'Running with the Devil' at Mountain Creek

VERNON — North New Jersey's heat wave ended with the "Running with the Devil" endurace race Saturday at Mountain Creek as 150 participants tested their reslience in the event.

Mountain Creek has hosted the event, organized by NJ Trail Series, for the last five years. Every July, 150 runners compete in one of three categories — a 3-hour, 6-hour or 12-hour race — to see if they can withstand the stifling heat and the monstrous 1,100-foot elevation gain as they repeat a 5K loop up and down Mountain Creek’s 1,400-foot mountain using ski trails.

“It’s impressive to watch these athletes push their limits, not only with the heat, but on such challenging terrain,” said Hugh Reynolds, director of marketing and sales for Mountain Creek.

New Jersey’s heat wave hit the state the previous Sunday — with a heat index averaging 105 degrees — and ended Saturday following Running with the Devil.

“Running with the Devil was introduced as a race that was as much for the participants as the spectators,” race director Rick McNutly said. “In most races, you get to see the runners at the beginning and the end. Here you see them once every lap as they come down the mountain and go back up.”

McNutley said running the event in heat makes the race more fun — at least for the spectators.

Due to thunderstorms in the area, Running with the Devil came to a close about an hour early this year. The 12-hour male winner, James Blandford, completed a total of 12 laps, or 36 miles, in 10 hours. The 12-hour female winner, Heather Cammarata, ran a total of 11 laps, or 33 miles, in 10 hours and 52 minutes.