APRIL 8, 2023
Sassquad and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference are proud to present the 2nd Annual Harriman Big Bear SquaTCh North at Harriman State Park in Bear Mountain, New York! Join us at 8am on Saturday April 8, 2023 for this historic trail 13.1M+ + and 50K --. What does "13.1M+ and "50K -" mean? It's means the half marathon is actually a little over 14 miles with 3,000' of climbing and the 50K is actually 30 miles with 7,000' of climbing! Read on for more information about the toughest race in our series!
TRAIL PARTY DETAILS
CHARITY PARTNER
We are proud to be co-hosting this trail party with our friends at the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference! Please consider donating by using the add-on feature during registration. The NYNJTC maintains and protects over 2,000 miles of trails in New York and New Jersey.
TRAIL PARTY LOCATION
The race will start and finish at the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area off of the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Bear Mountain, NY.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Check-in: 7:15am-7:45am
Start time: 8am
The course closes at 7pm giving all runners/hikers 11 hours to complete their event. Read on for more information about cut-offs.
COURSE MARKINGS
The half marathon will be marked with pink ribbons. The second loop for the 50K will be marked with blue ribbons. We have large directional arrows at each of the turns.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Our course highlights the technical trails, beautiful views and steep climbs of Harriman State Park (this is NOT a flat course!). The course will be well-marked with neon trail ribbon and large directional arrows. Both the 50Kers (30 milers) and the Half Marathoners (14 milers) will both complete the first loop which is 14 miles with 3,000'+ of climbing. 50Kers will continue on to the second loop-- this is a unique loop this year and only repeats the first mile and the final few miles of the first loop. Get ready to climb some more! This second loop is 16 miles long and packs in 4,000' of gain to make your total elevation gain 7,000'+! Scroll down to check out the course maps and gpx files. **Course updated on 3/23/23
CUT-OFFS
(updated 3/23/23)
REQUIRED GEAR
Our race course is NOT flat and the trails are very technical, steep and rugged. Both distances will be challenge for even the veteran mountain runners/hikers.
ALL participants are REQUIRED to have the following with them at all times:
- Charged cell phone
- Headlamp
- Mylar Emergency Blanket
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- At least 300 extra calories
- Whistle (most running packs have a whistle built into them)
- Course Map (you will receive this at check-in)
The following items are recommended, but not required:
-GPX of course map on phone or device
- Poles
- External battery pack for phone
- Extra batteries for headlamp
- Buff/hat/gloves
- Wipes
- Ziploc baggie to pack out trash
"NATURE"
Bear Mountain, NY is home to a variety of critters. So this is your "nature disclaimer". Yes, there are Black Bears. Here is what ya need to do if you see a bear during the race (this is from the Dept of Environmental Protection): If you see a bear, make it aware of your presence and use common sense. Never approach the animal; observe it only from a distance. Clapping, talking, singing or making other noise lets the bear know you are nearby. Remain standing, avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak in a calm, assertive voice if you encounter a bear at close range. Do not run.... More information on Bear Encounters.
VOLUNTEER DREAM TEAM
Our Volunteer Dream Team is what makes all of the Trail Magic happen! Join us as a Volunteer at this trail party as we support our squatchtastic running community. We have many Volunteer opportunities available such as Check-In, Aid Station Crew, Course Sweepers etc. Click here to Volunteer!
GETTING TO THE RACE
The start/finish is at the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area off of Palisades Interstate Parkway in Bear Mountain, NY.
FAQS
CAN I HAVE A PACER?
No pacers are allowed.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
The month of April in the Hudson Highlands can see a lot of different weather! Average temps are a high of 67 and a low of 46. Be ready for anything!
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
WILL I SEE SASQUATCH?
Sorry, but Buddy has to stay at home for this race. Our liability insurance does not cover dogs running our races; thank you for understanding!
CAN I SIGN MY KIDS UP?
We sure hope you do! Make sure you take a selfie with him if you see Squatchy out there!
WHAT WILL BE AT THE AID STATION?
Yes! We want the WHOLE family to come out to our events! Just understand that kids have the same rules as the adults, they have to finish each lap in an hour or less. We have a special discount code for families registering 3 or more Squatches in the same household. Please email us (trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com) before you register so we can give you the code! Once you have the code, be sure to register your child separately and agree to the waiver for minors. And make sure to keep track of little Sally before during and after the race. We only have 1 search-party and they're already out there looking for Sasquatch.
WILL I SEE ANY WILDLIFE?
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Gallatica. Harriman State Park is home to many critters, including black bears, deer, beavers and coyotes. We are utilizing heavily trafficked trails, so it is unlikely you will encounter any larger critters!
Aid Station may include the following: fruit, ice pops, GF fruit snacks, granola bars, GF oreos, GF pretzels, GF tortilla chips etc. Cooked food may include salted potatoes, quesadillas, pierogies, bacon etc.
WHAT ADDRESS SHOULD I USE TO GET TO THE PARK?
Anthony Wayne Recreation Area - Interstate Parkway Exit 17, Bear Mountain, NY 10911
WILL THE COURSE BE MARKED?
We will have bright colored ribbons along the course and plenty at all of the turns. We will also have large directional arrows at each turn. All markers have reflective tape so they will be easy to see at night when your headlamp shines on them.
CAN I GET A REFUND?
ME AND MY FRIEND AREN'T REGISTERED FOR THE RACE, BUT WE'RE STILL PLANNING ON COMING TO RUN. WE WON'T EAT FROM THE AID STATION OR TAKE A MEDAL OR SWAG. THIS IS OKAY, RIGHT?
Unfortunately we do not offer refunds for our non-refundable registration fee. Thank you for understanding!.
NO THIS IS NOT OKAY. This is called being a "race bandit" and it is stealing. Not paying for a race and running the race is stealing from the race organization (even if you're not taking food or swag). Don't do this at a Sassquad trail party or ANY other race. It's not okay. And if you hear about someone else doing this, call them out. If you bandit a race, you will be banned from registering for any of our Sassquad events.