Start Time
Format
Course Description
Gender Categories
Entry Categories
Entry Fees
Registration
The race starts and finishes at Tussey Mountain Ski and Family Fun Center, just south of Boalsburg on state route 322, whose address is 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA 16827. The race is easily accessed by air (University Park Airport) and interstate (I-80 and I-99). Visit the Accommodations page for suggestions on where to stay.
Start Time / Planning Your Day
The ultra division event will start at 7 a.m. The relay division start will begin at 8 a.m. There will be a staggered start for the relay based on overall team pace. Finish time: no later than 7 p.m. Because the relay start includes several waves, runners participating in the relay should plan to have the whole day available. We regret that we cannot plan the start based on personal schedules.
Format
The 2022 race will be run in the counterclockwise direction (also used 2000-2017, 2020 and 2021). The course is a USATF-certified, 50-mile single-loop on mostly unpaved roads through central Pennsylvania's scenic Rothrock State Forest during peak foliage season. Ultramarathon: Support vehicle and drop bag options. Stocked, staffed aid stations available to all ultra participants are provided at predetermined locations every 2.9 to 5.6 miles along the course. Relay: The relay consists of 12 pre-determined legs of lengths varying from 2.9 to 5.6 miles. Relay teams select a specific runner rotation order, rotating to the next runner at each transition point, and maintain that exact order through all 12 race legs. All relay teams must provide ONE team vehicle to transport runners to transition points where the batons are exchanged. Teams of 7 or 8 runners must use a single vehicle.
Course
The race takes place on mostly unpaved roads (82% dirt, 18% paved) in Rothrock State Forest. Terrain includes uphill, level and downhill grades, with shaded and open segments and some overlook vistas. The course takes in Whipple Dam State Park, Alan Seeger Natural Area, Penn Roosevelt State Park, Colyer Lake and Bear Meadows Natural Area. Total Elevation gain: 5,485 ft. See the Course Maps link or Elevation Profile link for a more detailed description and an elevation profile. See the Course and Leg Description page for a description of each of the course segments. You will also find a map of the new 50K course.
Gender Categories
We welcome those whose gender is not male or female; including but not limited to: genderqueer, agender, bigender. We want to acknowledge, respect, and provide opportunity in the registration process to express their desired pronouns. We use Ultrasignup.com, which allows you the option to select 'Non-Binary'. While we recognize this may not be 100% the right fit, we appreciate that Ultrasignup.com allows you to register closer to how you identify. Your results will reflect your registration. We do allow those who register as non-binary to still compete against their hormonal peers for overall female category (estrogen-leaning athletes) and male category (testosterone-leaning athletes) awards. We will reach out to any athlete who registers as non-binary to let us know if they would like to compete for these awards, and if so which hormonal peer group is the best fit.
Ultra Categories
| (proof of previous ultra or marathon finishing time required) | |
| Men’s Open | |
| Women’s Open | |
| Non-binary Open | |
| Men’s Masters | age 40 + over (provide proof of age) |
| Women’s Masters | age 40 + over (provide proof of age) |
| Non-binary Masters | age 40 + over (provide proof of age) |
| Military | Open Military (Regular, Active Reserves and National Guard); ROTC. |
Relay Categories
| Note: Relay registration will be limited to 140 teams. Categories are based on team size as follows: | |
| Supra | 2 runners per team (proof of previous half marathon or marathon finishing time required) |
| Tri/Quad | 3-4 per team |
| Standard | 5-6 per team |
| Mega | 7-8 per team |
| Military | Open Military (Regular, Active Reserves and National Guard); ROTC; JROTC. |
Team Divisions
Within each Category, team Divisions are as follows:
Men’s Open - all* men on a team, any age.
Women’s Open - all women on a team, any age.
Non-binary Open - all non-binary on a team, any age.
Mixed Open * - men or women on a team, any age.
Men's Master's # - men runners age 40 or over.
Women's Master's # - women runners age 40 or over.
Non-binary Master's # - non-binary runners age 40 or over.
Mixed Master's # - men and women runners age 40 or over.
* Note: Mixed Quad and Standard teams must have at least 2 women, Mixed Mega teams must have at least 3 women. Teams that don't meet this requirement will be placed in the Men's category.
# To compete as Master's team, at time of team registration a copy of a valid drivers license must accompany all team members' applications.
Military Relay Categories
Military teams of 2 to 8 runners are encouraged to participate. Includes Open Military (Regular, Active Reserves and National Guard), ROTC, JROTC.
Entry Fees
Ultramarathon:
Ultramarathoner registration open through Oct. 8, 2023!
| Registration Date | 50 Mile |
50 k | ||
| Regular Fee | Military | Regular Fee | Military | |
| Dec 15 - Jan 31 | $100 | $80 | $85 | $65 |
| Feb 1 - Jun 30 | $125 | $105 | $110 | $90 |
| Jul 1 - Oct 8 | $150 | $130 | $135 | $115 |
Note: Military rate reflects $20 gift card at packet pickup with proof of Military ID
Race shirts not guaranteed for runners registering after 9/22/2023.
Add $40 if you plan to use a support vehicle. The race provides 11 stocked aid stations and a drop bag option at aid stations 1,3,5,7,9,10, & 11. We do not provide refunds, but on request can defer your registration to the following year.
Relay Teams:
Relay Team Registration open through Oct 1, 2022!
| Registration Date | Team Size (# of Runners) | ||||||
| Supra (2) | Tri (3) | Quad (4) | Standard (5) | Standard (6) | Mega (7) | Mega (8) | |
| Dec 15 - Jan 31 | $110 | $165 | $220 | $275 | $330 | $385 | $440 |
| Feb 1 - Jun 30 | $130 | $195 | $260 | $325 | $390 | $455 | $540 |
| Jul 1 - Oct 8 | $150 | $225 | $300 | $375 | $450 | $525 | $600 |
| Race shirts not guaranteed for runners registering after 9/22/2022. | |||||||
Note: Military relay runners can receive a $20 gift card at packet pickup with proof of Military ID.
We have moved to a new registration provider to reduce your costs and skip commercial activity. As we continue to make enhancements to the event we strive to keep entry fees as low as possible. We appreciate your support! We do not provide refunds, but can defer your registration to the following year.
Goodness Thrives
As you register for the race, you will also have an opportunity to make a donation supporting our 2023 event beneficiary, the Nittany Greyhounds. See the Benefiary page for details. We thank you for your generosity!
Registration
Click here to register online.
Relay registration is limited. Teams must be completely registered by the deadline (no missing information or forms). The 2022 roster of participants will be posted later in the year. You can view the Roster of Participants to see the 2021 roster.