Start to Mt. Union Road Aid Station (Mile 4.7)
The 50-Mile trail race will start near Pavilion #7 at the McDanels boat launch. Run west a short distance and turn right onto the crushed limestone bike path. Follow the crushed limestone bike path to the bike rental shop. Proceed along the right side of the parking area to the start of the asphalt paved bike path. Follow the bike path to where it crosses the blue-blazed North Country/Glacier Ridge Trail and turn left off of the pavement. After a few hundred yards, the trail crosses North Shore Drive. From North Shore Drive, continue to follow single-track to an unmanned fluids-only aid station at Mt. Union Road.
Mt. Union Road to Rt. 528 Aid Station (Mile 10.0)
From Mt. Union Road, stay on single track around a small pond. Shortly after passing by the pond, bear left onto white blazed connector trail. Follow white trail uphill, across a flat ridge, and then a long downhill followed by turning left to re-join the blue GRT. Continue on blue 1.9 miles to a trail junction and sign for “Rt. 528 Bridge”. Go straight, toward the Rt. 528 bridge, on white blazed trail. After about 0.7 mile on the white trail, the course turns abruptly left and begins a climb away from the lake. After the climb, a flat, but very rocky section leads to a junction with the blue blazed GRT. Bear right-straight and follow the GRT to the Rt. 528 aid station.
Rt. 528 to Jennings Center Aid Station (Mile 15.2)
This will be your first time leaving the Rt. 528 aid station. Shortly after crossing Rt. 528, you will come to a trail intersection, GO TO THE LEFT and continue on blue-blazed trail. At the edge of Jennings Environmental Education Center area, turn right on the white-blazed Ridge Trail. Note: Runners leaving the trail within the Jennings Center will be subject to disqualification. There are many intersecting trails in this part of the course, pay attention to the blue race course markings. You will pass in front of the Jennings Environmental Center building, crossing Rt. 528. After crossing Rt. 528, go through the gate on your left, through a gravel parking lot and onto a short trail section to the Jennings Center aid station.
Jennings Center Aid Station to Rt. 528 (Mile 21.0)
From the pavilion, turn right and follow the blue race course markings. There are many intersecting trails in this part of the course, pay attention to the blue race course markings. Once back on the blue-blazed GRT, trace your steps back to the Rt. 528 aid station.
Rt. 528 Aid Station to Swamp Run Aid Station (Mile 29.2)
This will be your second time leaving the Rt. 528 aid station. Shortly after crossing Rt. 528, you will come to a trail intersection, GO TO THE RIGHT and follow blue race course markings. After passing through a small gravel parking area, turn left on a gravel road, run 0.2 mile, and turn right on Burton Road (gravel). Follow Burton Road 1.3 miles to where there is a gravel parking area on the left and a gate on the right. Turn right around the gate onto a 4×4/fire road, the remainder of this leg of the race will be on fire roads. Stay on the fire roads, once you get to a gate, go through this gate, immediately turn right and go through a parking lot, and then through a second gate. Continue down the hill toward the lake, following the blue race course markings to the Swamp Run Aid Station.
Swamp Run Aid Station to Turnaround (Mile 30.5)
Leaving the Swamp Run aid station, follow the gravel road 200-300 yards and turn right on single-track. Follow single-track, then double-track to a turnaround point. The turnaround will be self-policed. There will be a phone book hanging from a candy-cane shaped gas pipeline marker at the turn-around. Tear a page from the book and take it with you back to the Swamp Run aid station where you will give the page to an aid station volunteer. Trace your steps back to Swamp Run Aid Station, Rt. 528 Aid Station and then to the finish at McDanels.
Awards: All finishers
1st Place – male and female
Glacial Pace Award (last individual finisher within cutoff)
Crew – Permitted at Rt. 528, Jennings, and Swamp Run Aid Stations
Pacers – Permitted starting at Swamp Run inbound and Rt. 528 inbound
Drop Bags – Permitted at Rt. 528 Aid Station (50-milers will pass through three times)
Drop bags must be clearly marked with runner number and name and checked in at the start/finish Saturday.
Note: All distances should be regarded as approximate. We feel that in most instances, they are within a couple tenths of a mile, and will continue to verify distances and update course descriptions accordingly. This course includes the crossing of multiple paved roadways that will be open and in use during the race, use caution crossing all roadways.
Note: Runners/Relay Team Members who are expecting to be pushing the 14-hour race time limit will want to carry a light with them or have one in their drop bag at Rt. 528 for the final inbound leg to the finish. In early May, visibility may be difficult that last few miles and no additional trail markings will be provided.