Course and Leg Descriptions

Contained on this page is a description for each of the legs of the race and a description for each of the leg transition zones throughout the course. Use the links below to view a description for each.

Visit the relay team rotation order page to view a breakout by team size of the expected legs for each relay runner.

Leg #1: Three Bridges, One Leg-Breaker

Image of a switchback on Leg #1 Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.2 miles; difficult
Topography:

Mostly gently climbing, with some steep ascents.
Description: Leg #1 breaks from the Start Line on a slight downhill, on paved Bear Meadows Road. At bridge #1, the uphill begins. As you pass the stream along the right-hand side, you will traverse bridge #2, continue uphill and turn right onto Laurel Run Road (at 0.7 mi.), crossing bridge #3. At this point the road becomes packed gravel. Continue climbing to switchback #1. Switchback #2 occurs at 3.1 miles; only 0.2 miles to TZ 1, at the crest of Laurel Run Road and the intersection of Mid-State Trail.
   
Transition Zone 1: At the crest of Laurel Run, at intersection with Mid-State Trail. Parking is on the right-hand side beyond the TZ zone; first vehicle must pull forward to the orange stake, others file in directly behind. Runners will hand-off on the left.

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Leg #2: Down to the Swamp.

Image of part of Leg #3

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

4.0 miles; easy

Topography:

Downhill to level; gravel.

 
Description: Beginning at the crest of the hill, Leg #2 rolls downhill past the Fleet Foot Hunting Club (.45 mi.) and Laurel Run Camp (1.1 mi.), both on the right. At the bottom of the hill (1.2 mi.) you will pass Bear Gap Road on the left. Pass Sand Spring Camp and a meandering brook on the right, and go through fern fields as you pass Wildcat Gap Trail. Continue past Bard Gun Club on the left (3.45 mi.) and several cabins to the right and left (3.8 mi.) before coming to the intersection of Laurel Run Road and Pine Swamp Road (on right).
   
Transition Zone 2: At the intersection of Laurel Run and Pine Swamp Road. Parking is on Laurel Run Road on the right-hand side, beyond the TZ zone. Hand-off is on left side of Laurel Run Road, opposite bridge to Pine Swamp Road.

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Leg #3: Race to the Beach.

Image of starting point for Leg #3

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

3.8 miles; easy

Topography:

Fairly flat; gravel and then finishes on paved road.

 
Description: This section of Laurel Run road is slightly winding and mostly flat. Pass through coniferous groves on both sides of the road, Manor Hunting Club on right (2.0 mi.) and cabins on the right and left (2.5 mi), following a meandering brook. As the pavement begins, continue past the exit of Whipple Dam State Park, turn right at park sign (3.65 mi.), then another right into parking area to TZ3.
   
Transition Zone 3: Whipple Dam State Park. Parking is on the right, beyond the TZ zone; hand-off is on the left-hand side, past stone patio on left side. Restroom facilities, water, and spectator area with ample parking. Other amenities: Swimming, fishing.

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Leg #4: Three Up, Three Down.

Finish line of Leg #4

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

6.2 miles; difficult

Topography:

Gently rolling, with several long hills.

 
Description: This leg begins with views of Whipple Lake, exiting the park turning right onto paved Laurel Run Road and passes by the park entrance, then turns left onto Greenlee Road (1.25 mi.), entering a section of rolling hills on packed and loose gravel. At 3.8 miles, bear right onto Beidelheimer Road, ascending a mile-long hill and continuing on gently rolling hills up to the transition zone of Beidelheimer and Gettis Ridge Road.
   
Transition Zone 4: At intersection of Beidelheimer Road and Gettis Ridge Road. Parking is on the right side, beyond the TZ zone; handoff is on the left side at the intersection.

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Leg #5: The Breeze.

Image of the finish line of Leg #5. Leg #5 finishes off to the left.

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

3.4 miles; easy

Topography:

All downhill or flat.

 
Description: Leg #5 starts off on mostly shaded loose and packed gravel, past vistas on the right, passing by Gettis Ridge Camp on the right, meeting up with Bear Meadows Road (2.2 mi.). Turn right on Bear Meadows Road and continue for about a mile, making a left onto paved Stone Creek Road (3.35 mi.). Just ahead is the Alan Seeger Picnic Area. Bear left into the parking lot, where Transition Zone #5 awaits.
   
Transition Zone 5: Alan Seeger Picnic Area. Parking is in the Alan Seeger parking lot, beyond the TZ zone. Vehicles should pull in and park as far from the road as possible; handoffs are in the parking lot, on the side near the road. Picnic area, pavilion, rest rooms, good spectator zone. A tub of bottled water for runners will be located in the pavilion.

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Leg #6: Made in the Shade.

Image of part of Leg #6

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

5.3 miles; moderate to difficult

Topography:

Gently rolling with some moderate climbs.

 
Description: Heading left out of the lot onto paved Stone Creek Road, in a short time (0.45 mi., at bridge) the course passes by Alan Seeger Natural Area on the right, crosses the Mid-State Trail (0.75 mi.), passes Coopers Gap Road on the right (2.45 mi.), crosses a bridge and passes by Stone Creek Lodge on the left (2.6 mi.). Further along the course comes to a fork (4.45 mi.), turning left onto gravel and heading toward Penn Roosevelt camping area. After a slight uphill, the road turns downhill and passes a pleasant vista on the left, then heads past the first entrance into the camping area, at that point bearing left and crossing a bridge and a babbling brook. In no time the course arrives at the central picnic area and Transition Zone #6, where a picturesque mountain pond and picnic tables create a serene scene.
   
Transition Zone 6: Penn Roosevelt State Park. Parking is on the right-hand side, beyond the TZ zone; handoff on the left. Rest rooms and picnic tables available.

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Leg #7: Miles from Nowhere.

Image of the finish line of Leg #7

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

4.9 miles; moderate.

Topography:

Uphill, flat, then gently rolling.

 
Description: Moving out of Penn Roosevelt, the course climbs for the first 0.9 mile; once again crossing the Mid-State Trail (0.1 mi.), passing by Rock Oak Camp (0.5 mi.), and forking to the right at 1.0 mile onto Crowfield Road. Along the way on the right are Lakemont Rod & Gun Club (1.4 mi.), Lost Creek Hunting Camp (3.2 mi.) and Poco Rod & Gun Club (4.05 mi.). Nearly a mile from Poco, Transition Zone #7 approaches, marked by the intersecting road on the left.
   
Transition Zone 7: Minor dirt road on left of Crowfield Road, 0.9 miles past Poco Rod & Gun Club. Parking is on the right side, beyond the TZ zone; handoffs on the left.

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Leg #8: A Flash of Civilization.

Image of the finish line of Leg #8

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

2.8 miles; easy.

Topography:

Mostly flat, then gently rolling.

 
Description: This leg continues on Crowfield Road, passing meadow on left and Penn Nursery (0.8 mi.). Near the end of Crowfield, pavement begins, and 0.1 miles further the road reaches State Route 322. RUNNERS: DO NOT CROSS THE HIGHWAY. Turn left onto the shoulder, facing traffic on 322. After 0.1 mile the shoulder narrows, and after another 0.1 mile the course turns left onto Krise Valley Road (1.7 mi.). Cross a small bridge on gravel and begin a climb, passing Whispering Pine Camp on the right (1.9 mi.) and another cabin (2.2 mi.), completing a 0.5 mile climb. The course then gently rolls past the Wrightsdale Rod & Gun Club (2.7 mi.), ending at the transition zone, a minor dirt road on the right.
   
Transition Zone 8: Minor road on right side of Krise Valley Road, just past Wrightsdale Rod & Gun Club. Parking is on the right, beyond the TZ zone and the minor road. (BE SURE to stay off the Wrightsdale Rod & Gun Club property.) Handoffs are on the left-hand side.

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Leg #9: Head for the Lake.

Image of the finish line of Leg #9

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

2.9 miles; easy.

Topography:

Begins uphill, then gently rolling and downhill.

 
Description: Moving on down Krise Valley Road, pass Black Log Camp (0.8 mi.) and a majestic stand of tall pines on the left before coming to Boal Gap Road (1.45 mi.), turning right. Pavement begins at 1.7 miles, then the course takes a left onto Polecat Road (1.8 mi.) then a quick right onto Bubb Road (1.9 mi.). Passing high meadows, glimpses of the lake and the mountains beyond come into view. Make a left onto Lake Road (2.2 mi.), then finish with a gentle descent to Colyer Lake. At the lake, turn right and cross the bridge to the paved parking area and the lake edge. Turn left and go to the end of the parking lot and onto the grass, circle the cone and return to the lot for the transition zone.
   
Transition Zone 9: Colyer Lake. Parking at far end of lined lot at Colyer Lake put-in. Handoff is at the far end of the lot. Portable restroom at FAR end is for Mountainback use; tubs of bottled water for runners. Fishing, boating, good spectator zone.

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Leg #10: Are We There Yet?

Image of the finish line for Leg #10

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

5.3 miles; difficult.

Topography:

Flat, gently rolling to more serious ups and downs.

 
Description:

Head out of the lot and make a right on Lake Road, bear right at intersection with High Street, staying on Lake Road, then cross a bridge, go 0.4 mile uphill, and make a left onto paved Treaster Kettle Road. Once on Treaster Kettle, the road alternates between pavement and gravel for a short distance, eventually maintaining a gravel surface. At 1.3 miles bear right, pass Thickhead Road intersection on the left (2.0 mi.), continue through several long climbs and descents, passing Mexico Gun Club (3.1 mi.), until the intersection with Bear Meadows Road (5.2 mi.). Vehicles must park before intersection . Runners, turn left onto Bear Meadows Road and head into Transition Zone #10/11 at Bear Meadows Natural Area.

   
Transition Zone 10/11: NOTE: Temporary parking for this transition is BEFORE you reach the T in the road near the end of Leg #10; park on right side only. DO NOT drive vehicles to Bear Meadows parking area. Drop off runners for legs 11 and 12 and continue promptly to the finish. Runners: At the zone, handoffs are on the left-hand side of the road for TZ 10, across from the visitor parking area. Handoffs for TZ 11 are on the opposite side, near the parking area. Leg 10 runners need to catch the shuttle to the finish area.

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Leg #11: Climb to the Vista.

Sunrise at the leg 11 vista. Mileage/degree of difficulty: 4.0 miles; moderate/difficult.
Topography: Progressive ups and downs.
Description:

Continue on Bear Meadows Road and climb 0.8 miles to the crest, then head down through a switchback and go straight onto Wampler Road (1.6 mi.), gently climbing another 0.15 mile to a broad overlook marked by a knarled tree to the left. Continue another 0.25 mile to the turnaround, circle the cone, and return by the same route to the Bear Meadows Natural Area.

   
Tansition Zone 11: Handoffs for TZ 11 are on the side near the visitor parking area. Leg 11 runners need to catch the shuttle to the finish area.

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Leg #12: Trucks Use Lower Gear!

Image of the finish line for Leg #12

Mileage/degree of difficulty:

4.2 miles; easy.

Topography:

Mostly downhill, winding.
Description: This final mostly paved and shaded leg continues on Bear Meadows Road, first on gravel, passing North Meadows Road on the left (0.7 mi.), turning to pavement at 1.5 miles (time for your overdrive gears), and continuing down a fairly steep downgrade, passing Laurel Run Road on the left at 3.6 miles, and winding over bridges 1 (3.8 mi.) and 2 (4.0 mi.). The final quarter-mile is a fairly flat sprint out of the trees and to the finish line, at Tussey Mountain Ski Resort.
   
Finish Line: Between the pair of telephone utility poles, where the race began.

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