Congratulations to John!
John didn’t just complete the Challenge — he earned the coveted New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge Patch by RUNNING every rail trail on the Challenge list!
John began his adventure November 6, 2021, running the Fisherville Road to Carter Road section of the Concord–Lake Sunapee Rail Trail. The very next day, he tackled the Heads Pond Trail, followed just a few days later by the Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail and the Winnipesaukee River Trail.
Over the next several years, John continued exploring New Hampshire’s rail trails, one run at a time, finally completing the Challenge in August 2026. His final stretch was particularly impressive: within just a couple of weeks, he completed the Cheshire Rail Trail South, Upper Coos Rail Trail, and Presidential Rail Trail. And for his grand finale on August 20, he ran New Hampshire’s newest rail trail, the New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway!
When asked about his most memorable experiences along the way, John recalled three particularly vivid moments:
- Sugar River Rail Trail: The fast-flowing river bordered by lush green river grasses.
- Northern Rail Trail: Beautiful autumn foliage surrounding Mascoma Lake.
- Cheshire Rail Trail North: A sudden, heavy rain cascading down the rock cuts northwest of Keene.
New Hampshire’s rail trails, -experienced in all seasons and all kinds of weather!
Congratulations, John! You’ve earned your Challenge Patch and some well-deserved bragging rights. Wear your patch with pride!
And here’s to many more miles of happy running on New Hampshire’s rail trails!
