50k Description: Your run is exactly the same as that of the 50 mile runner, up to the aid station on Laurel Run Road, next to the rest rooms. The 50k runners will exit the aid station and continue along Laurel Run Road to the next aid stations. The 50k runners DO NOT go down to the lake with the 50 mile runners.
Leg A: Three Bridges, One Leg-Breaker: 3.2 miles (Running Total 3.2)
| Difficulty: | Difficult | ||
| Topography: | Mostly gently climbing, with some steep ascents. | ||
| Description: | Leg A 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. | ||
Leg B. Down to the Swamp: 4.0 miles (Running Total 7.2)
| Difficulty: | Easy | ||
| Topography: | Downhill to level; gravel. | ||
| Description: | Beginning at the crest of the hill, Leg B 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). | ||
Leg C: : 3.8 miles (Running Total 10.7)
Leg D. : 5.6 miles (Running Total 16.3)
| Description: | Leaving the aid station, turn right at park sign, then another right into parking area along the beach. Make the U-turn where indicated and reverses course back to Laurel Run Road.” | ||
Leg E: Beidleheimer to Bear Meadows: 5.2 miles (Running Total 21.5)
| Difficulty: | Difficult | ||
| Topography: | Descents and climbs | ||
| Description: |
Leg #5 starts off with a descent of almost 300 feet in 2.2 miles along Beidleheimer Road. You will be on mostly shaded gravel, and pass vistas on the right. You will pass by the Gettis Ridge Camp on the right, meeting up with Bear Meadows Road coming from the left at 2.2 miles. This is where you will separate from those running 50 miles and begin your own adventure. Turn left on Bear Meadows Road and begin the 2.2 mile climb to the summit. You will earn 900 feet of elevation experience in the process. From the summit, you will descend about 200 feet in less than the mile to aid station T11. This aid station is shared with the 50 mile runners who will be coming from the opposite direction as you. Aid Stations 11: There is no parking at this aid station. Runners’ support people, should plan to see the runners at the intersection of Bear Meadows Road and North Meadows Road, about 0.6 mile north (toward the ski slopes) of the aid station. There is adequate parking in the area. Use image “Bear Meadows Rd at Wampler Rd.heic” |
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Leg F: Oh What a View: 3.7 miles (Running Total 25.2)
| Difficulty: | Moderate | ||
| Topography: | Steady climb | ||
| Description: |
Leg six begins at the Bear Meadows aid station. You will quickly pass Treaster Kettle Road coming from the right and might see 50 mile runners coming from that direction. Continue north along Bear Meadows Road and turn left after one kilometer at the gate to enter North Meadows Road. Continue up North Meadows Road until it meets Gettis Ridge Road at the top. Turn to the right and follow the road through the gate onto Bear Gap Road. Turn right onto Bear Gap Road and continue about 100 meters until the aid station. Note that North Meadows Road is closed to all traffic. It is almost a ten mile drive between the ends of the road, but only a three mile run. Aid Station 50k: Welcome to the only aid station dedicated to the 50k runners. The station is in the large parking area. Have a mini celebration for almost having completed a marathon. |
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Leg G: What goes down must come up: 2.7 miles (Running Total 27.9)
| Difficulty: | Moderate | ||
| Topography: | Steep descent and a climb | ||
| Description: |
Leaving aid station 50k, turn right and continue along Bear Gap Road. You might enjoy the steep descent, or your quads might complain a wee bit. In any event, turn right at the bottom and join Laurel Run Road. Your sense of deja vú is justified, you have been here before, just running in the opposite direction. From this point on, you will be running the reverse of your starting legs. Fear not, you are nearly at aid station one. You need only climb the 1.1 mile and 200 feet to get there. Aid Station One (redux): Well, you have been here before, only now your legs are beat. Enjoy a breather for a moment before you begin the descent to the finish line. This station offers very little parking, and support crew should avoid it. Be sure to thank the crew at the aid station, they have been there since six a.m. |
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Leg H - It’s just a 5k: 3.2 miles (Running Total 31.1)
| Difficulty: | Moderate | ||
| Topography: | Steady descent | ||
| Description: | This is your last leg. From the top of the hill at the aid station, simply follow Laurel Run Road downhill on the well trodden track. At the stream crossing, turn left onto paved Bear Meadows Road and follow it back to the finish line. As you approach the ski slopes, you will turn hard left through the field to the finish line. | ||
Click on the image to view a printable PDF of the map.