Saturday’s Hyner Trail Challenge saddened by death of veteran participant
HYNER, PA – The Hyner View Challenge returned Saturday after a year’s absence due to the pandemic, but the return was greatly saddened with the loss of veteran trail runner Carl Undercofler.
Undercofler, 83, from Woodland, Clearfield County, was well into the challenge and was just short of the Hyner Lookout when he collapsed and despite the best efforts of those nearby, including a trained first responder, could not be revived. He was later pronounced dead at the Bucktail Medical Center.
The trail race continued but minus one of its beloved participants, a fixture on the trail running circuit. PA Trail Dog/Race Director Craig Fleming later posted on the PA Trail Dogs Facebook page a tribute to the group’s fallen comrade:
The trail community lost one of the most genuine and kindest individuals one could ever meet Saturday at the Hyner Challenge–Carl Undercofler. Carl collapsed as he reached the foot of the View wall and was immediately tended to by a fellow Trail Dog who is a trained first responder. Unfortunately, nothing could be done at that point to help him. I have personally known Carl for the past 15 years and know he’d be angry at us for being sad because he was just doing what he loved to do while at his favorite place in the world–Hyner View.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially his wife Joyce. Joyce is just as much of a fixture in the trail community as Carl and we are going to do whatever we can to help her through this tough time. We love you, Joyce.
More information concerning the viewing and funeral can be found at https://www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com/memorials/carl-undercofler/4599262/obituary.php.
Please feel free to share your favorite Carl story and any pictures you may want to share with the group as we celebrate the life of our most beloved Trail Dog member and the “Godfather” of trail running. We’re really going to miss you Carl. Rest in Peace.
Undercofler’s wife, Joyce, was camping with him for the weekend.
