The Summit 50/50, an ultra trail race destined to become a fall classic!

The Summit 50/50, an ultra trail race destined to become a fall classic!

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The Summit 50/50 is a Trail Sisters approved race!

The summit 50/50

Reluctant Runner Racing is proud to host the Summit 50/50 at Allegany State Park in Salamanca, NY. The Summit 50/50 trail and ultramarathon takes place towards the end of October each year on trails in the Summit area of the largest and most picturesque NY State Park! The course will be a chance for you to test your ultra endurance in a fun, supportive, yet challenging race that’ll push you beyond your comfort zone. This time of year is one of the more stunning in upstate NY, with the leaves at full foliage, the colors will blow you away!

We are all about bringing new runners onto trails and into the ultramarathon world, so with this in mind, in addition to the 50 mile and 50 K we’ll be offering a 25K distance. Whether you’re new to trails or a grizzled ultra veteran, this is the perfect combination of races for you to test yourself!

 

course description.

 

The Summit 50/50 course is a 17.5 mile (measured by GaiaGPS) course made up of a mix of trails in the Art Roscoe Cross Country Ski Area of Allegany State Park. Overall, the entire course is runnable as the trails are well groomed and maintained throughout the year. The course consists mostly of double track ATV/Snowmobile trails, graded cross country ski trails, along with a few miles of single track. Some of the trails will be overgrown while others will be wide open and non-technical, taking you through old growth forest, various flora, fauna, and tall pines. While you won’t be too far from the start/finish area the tall forest, undulating hills and hollows will give you a sense of being in the remote backcountry with only your thoughts and sounds of nature keeping you company. The biggest challenge for all distances will be how you handle the constant ebb and flow of elevation. While there is one big climb coming out of the Bova Trailhead Aid Station that’ll give you 800’ of ascent in a little under 2 miles, the remainder of the course will be rolling hills with a few long gradual climbs, followed by some quick downhills. You’ll be hard-pressed to find any truly flat sections on this course.

The Summit 50/50 will challenge the seasoned ultra vet as much as it will the intermediate newcomer and it will be an unforgettable experience for all, testing you physically and mentally.

Adding to the fun will be Mother Nature’s special sauce, there’s no telling what weather will bring in October in the Southern Tier of NY but one thing is for sure, it will be spectacular!

Registration

To sign up for either the any distance, go to ultrasignup.com (search for Summit 50/50 or click below. Registration for the 2024 Summit 50/50 is now OPEN!

Register Here

Race info.

The race will start at the Art Roscoe Trailhead near the Summit Cabins and Cross Country Skiing area. 50 miler runners will finish 3 laps of the course while those running the 50K will do two laps. The 25K runners will complete 1 lap. Each loop will be about 17.5 miles and include 2,400’ of elevation gain. The trails will include a mix of single and double track, as well as some ATV/snowmobile and cross country skiing trails.

Aid Stations:

There will be at least two Aid Stations on the course. Summit Aid will be located at the Start/Finish line area. The second, Bova Trailhead Aid will be located about 5 miles into the course. Both Aid Stations will provide a smorgasbord of nutrition and hydration you’d expect to see during an ultra event. There may be a surprise or two as well! As the race draws nearer, a full list of items will be provided to runners. Rest assured that consideration will be given to runners with dietary restrictions including but not limited to gluten free, vegan, and vegan free eaters.

Drop Bags:

Since it’s a loop course, there will be no drop bags placed out on the course. There will, however, be space for runners and their crew to set up a small area at Summit Aid. The Art Roscoe Warming Hut will also be available for runners to use.

Safety Runners/Pacers:

Pacers are able to join 50 mile runners for the 3rd loop only but need to register with the Summit Aid volunteer captain before heading out with their runner. No safety runners/pacers will be allowed for the 50K distance. Muling is strictly prohibited and grounds for DQ. All runners/pacers leaving for their 3rd loop must carry a headlamp prior to leaving the Aid Station. Pacers will only be allowed to pick up/drop off their runners at either of the Aid Stations.

Crewing:

Will only be available at Summit Aid.

Cutoff Times:

The 50 mile race cutoff is 12 hrs (6:00 pm).

The 50k race cutoff is 9.5 hrs (3:30 pm).

The 25k race cutoff is 6 hrs (3:30 pm).

Course Marking:

The course will be marked with a combination of ribbon, signs, arrows, and flagging. Further information on this will be provided closer to the race.

Race Rules:

  1. Have fun!

  2. Be supportive and respectful of your fellow ultra runners, volunteers, and park staff.

  3. Be safe.

  4. Aid may only be rendered within the assigned footprint of the main Aid Stations (Summit Aid Station area).

  5. Leave No Trace.

  6. Have fun!

Required Gear:

The Race Director, in consultation with Park staff reserve the right to require certain gear to be carried with runners at all times. These requirements are non-negotiable and intended for your safety, health, and well-being. If required these items will be communicated at the pre-race briefing and may include items such as nutrition and hydration, headlamp, coat, emergency bivy, etc. At the appropriate time, this information will be updated and communicated but may also be dependent on forecasted weather.

Weather:

As with most of NY state, the weather is often unpredictable and changes frequently! It’s the runners responsibility to ensure you are prepared for any and all conditions, that may include snow, rain, sleet, hot, cold, humid or dry conditions (and everything in between).

Awards:

All finishers will receive a giveaway to commemorate their accomplishment.

Prizes will be given out to the Top 3 Female and Male finishers for each distance, however, at this time there will be no age-group awards. More information on the finisher prizes will be provided at a later time.

Race Results can be found on UltraSignup within a couple of days after the race. An email will be sent by the RD to inform you that results have been posted.