Pre-Race Dinner, Expo, & Packet Pickup

If you are traveling from outside the local area, we suggest you plan to arrive by Saturday, October 20th so you can have time to relax, review the initial running stages of the course and plan any last minute strategies, attend the expo, pick up your race packet, and attend the pre-race dinner.

The expo, packet pickup, and the pre-race dinner are all at the Ramada Inn, located at 1450 S. Atherton Street (business route 322) in State College, about 5 miles west of SR322 & Bear Meadows Road, where the race starts and finishes.  The Ramada Inn phone number is 814-238-3001.

Merchandise Expo

An expo of mOUnTaiNBACK and other fitness manufacturers gear will be set up on Saturday, October 20th at the packet pickup from 5:00pm-8:00pm. See Pre-Race Check-In below for directions. Our gear will also be available at the post-race party.  Merchandise will include various Mountainback items (see the Mountainback Store), along with several other vendors (TBA).

Advance Packet Pick-Up and Dropbag Drop-off

Participants can pick up race packets and drop off drop-bags between 5:00pm-8:00pm the evening before the race at Ramada Inn.  (Race day check-in and packet pickup will also occur at the race site).

Pre-Race Dinner

The mOUnTaiNBACK's Pre-race Dinner has become a highlight of the race weekend.  The dinner is on Saturday October 20th from 6:30pm-8:00pm and is available to all participants and their crews.

The dinner program will include remarks from past or current participants and from the event beneficiary, Tides; and a short video from the 2011 race.

Menu: An all-you-can-eat dinner buffet, which includes tossed green and Caesar salad, chicken breasts, choice of two pastas and three sauces (marinara, meat sauce, alfredo), vegetable of the day, rolls, coffee, tea, water, and assorted desserts, including tiramisu. Price: $18. 

Reserve Your Place: You can sign up for dinner when you register, or pay separately. Checks may be sent to MTB50, 103 E. Hamilton Ave., State College, PA 16801. You may also pay at the door, but to ensure an accurate food count you will need to let us know via phone or e-mail no later than Monday, October 15th if you plan to attend the dinner.