WOW Fest '11 was our biggest and best yet.  Thank you to the 450 people that participated in our events and/or attended the festival in support of the WOW Trail.  We couldn't have done it without the 100+ volunteers and 30 event sponsors -- what a great team!

There was a lot of friendly competition for the WOW Fest Team Challenges and 12 months of "bragging rights" go to the following fabulous teams:

WOW What A Team! (Awarded to the team with the most participants)

Tilton Veterinary Hospital/Velo Belknap

(That's 2 years of bragging rights!)

WOW Green ($$$) Team! (Awarded to the team that raises the most money)

Melcher & Prescott Insurance

(way to go Michelle Lamper & Holly Marston!!!)

WOW You Look Good! (Awarded to the "best dressed" team)

Awakening Chiropractic

(also a close runner up for WOW What a Team!)

WOW Cups! (Awarded to the teams with the fastest three 5K or 10K finishers)

5K Cup! - Awakening Chiropractic

10K Cup! - Awakening Chiropractic

(This team is a force to be reckoned with!)

To continue on with "bragging rights,"  new course records (male & female) were set on the Take Opechee 10K and course records were established for the new Take Opechee 5K:

Take Opechee 10K Top Finishers

1. Rich Smith, Enfield, NH (35:45, 5:46p) *New Record*
   
2. Aaron Hayward, Laconia, NH (39:58, 6:26p)
   
3. Chris Abbott, Sanbornton, NH (41:01, 6:37p)

Female

1. Christin Doneski, Hopkinton, NH (39:59, 6:26) *New Record*
2. Courtney Bennett, Center Barnstead, NH (41:13, 6:38p)
3. Carolyn Durfee, Laconia, NH (42:47, 6:53p)

Take Opechee 5K Top Finishers

1. Tom Osmer, Canterbury, NH (18:09, 5:51p) 
   
2. Tyler Matzke, Tilton, NH (19:34, 6:18p)
   
3. Pete Pelletier, Sanbornton, NH (20:55, 6:44p)

Female

1. Erin McNamara, Sanbornton, NH (20:21, 6:33p)
   
2. Hannah Wilcutt, Northfield, NH (23:33, 7:35p)
   
3. Amanda Downs, Meredith, NH (23:58, 7:43p)
   

Click here for the Take Opechee 5K and 10K Race Results.

Take The Lake (67m) and Take the Bay (15m) Challenges

 Bragging can certainly be done by the 45 Take the Lake cyclists that kicked off our event at 7am (pretty chilly!) and the 25 Take the Bay cyclists that headed out later in the day. We are grateful to have these cyclists out enjoying beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee in support of the WOW Trail.

General Information

The WOW Trail is a proposed multi-use, non-motorized recreational pathway in the City of Laconia.  The proposed pathway is just over 9 miles long, stretching the length of the City to the Meredith and Belmont town lines.  The WOW Trail will be constructed adjacent to the railroad tracks used by the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad.

The trail will be 10 feet wide and paved.

The first 1.3 miles is complete!  The Grand Opening was held on May 15th, 2010.   Phase 1 begins adjacent to the Lake Opechee Inn & Spa in Lakeport and ends downtown at Main Street, adjacent to the Library. A portion of the first phase, located between Bisson Avenue and Lyford Street, is adjacent to Messer Street.  In this area, the sidewalk was widened and bike lanes added to the roadway.   Laconia DPW was extremely helpful in accommodating the trail design and construction on Messer Street.

Phase 2 of the WOW Trail will run from Downtown Laconia at North Main Street to the Belmont town line.  A short section of bike trail already exists at the Belmont town line and Route 3.  The NH DOT built this short section of trail in anticipation of connecting the Laconia WOW Trail and the Town of Belmont's own BRATT trail.

Using the Railroad Right of Way

Snowmobilers will access and use the railroad tracks in the winter months as always.  All others are to remain off of the tracks and on the trail.  It is dangerous and trespassing to be on the tracks.

Design and Safety

A four foot high continuous fence will run between the trail and the active railroad tracks.  The fence will be elevated six inches above the ground to accomodate the movement of small animals.  The fence is CURRENTLY required by the NH DOT Bureau of Railroads.We are working on alternative approaches with the DOT concerning safety and fencing alternatives.

Trails next to active railroads are increasingly common in the United States, with over 100 rail-with-trails in existence to date.

The Laconia Police Department conducts bike patrols of the WOW Trail.