OCTOBER 19, 2024
Sassquad Trail Running and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference are proud to present the Harriman Big Bear SquaTCh South Half Marathon at Harriman State Park in Tuxedo, New York! Join us at 9am on Saturday October 19, 2024 for this historic trail half marathon. All runners and hikers will experience non-stop trail beauty on this single loop course through Harriman State Park! Your race registration is directly helping the Trail Conference restore the 100 year-old Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail. (The capitalized "TC" in SquaTCh stands for "Trail Conference"!!) This event WILL sell-out before race day so register early to avoid being added to the waitlist!
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.
REGISTRATION
Half Marathon - $65 (+ $7.06 UltraSignUp fees/taxes)
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WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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Bib & safety pins
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Swag item
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Handcrafted Finishers' Medal
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Two on-course aid stations with water, Skratch and snacks
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Awards for top 3 male, female and non-binary
TRAIL PARTY LOCATION
The race will start and finish at Powerhouse Park in Tuxedo, NY. There is a $3 parking fee for the commuter lot. Interested in carpooling? Check out the Sassquad Carpool-Assist Program!
PARKING
The race will start and finish at Powerhouse Park where there is a parking lot. Once that lot fills up, overflow parking will be directed to the Tuxedo Commuter Lot that is right next to the park. Please note: there is a $3 parking fee for the Tuxedo Commuter Lot and it needs to be paid through the parking app (info about how to use the app is provided on the signage in the Commuter Lot)
COURSE MARKINGS
The course will be marked with pink ribbons and we have large directional arrows at each of the turns. To learn more about how we mark the course and what the ribbons and signs look like, squatch on over to the Sassquad Trail School ​to watch the information video about our course markings!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
HALF MARATHON: 5 HOUR CUTOFF
Check-in: 8:15am-8:45am
Start time: 9am
Mile 4.75 Aid Station Cutoff: 10:45am
Mile 9.5 Aid Station Cutoff: 12:45pm
Finish line cutoff: 2pm
aid stations
The first aid station is at mile 4.7ish and will have water, bananas and granola bars. The second aid station is at mile 9.5 and will have water, Skratch, pb&j, granola bars, fruit and GF chips and Oreos (GF Oreos are available).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
There is 1,000 ft of gain in the first 4 miles! The Half Marathon has 2,200+ ft of cumulative gain. This is a very technical route, which means there are a lot of rocks and roots. There are steep climbs, rocky cliffs and even a short scramble. We want to emphasize that this is a very challenging course! Our two Big Bear races at Harriman State Park are the two toughest races in our series; please know that before you register! If we have rain (or snow?), the course will be extra challenging. All of that being said - this is a beautiful course! Your hard efforts will be rewarded with sweeping views as you get to enjoy peak foliage in the Hudson Valley. Since we started hosting this event in October, we have always lucked out with amazing fall colors!
REQUIRED GEAR
Make no mistake about it - this is not a flat half marathon. The trails are technical and have some steep and rugged sections. ALL participants are REQUIRED to have the following with them at all times:
ALL participants are REQUIRED to have the following with them at all times:
- Charged cell phone
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- At least 200 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
- Buff/hat/gloves
- Wipes
- Ziploc baggie to pack out trash
"NATURE"
Tuxedo, 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!
COURSE MARKINGS
The course will be well-marked with neon pink/reflective ribbon. We have large red directional arrows at each of the turns. To learn more about how we mark the course and what the ribbons and signs look like, squatch on over to the Sassquad Trail School to watch the information video about our course markings!
pacers & crew
As with all of our events, Squatchers over the age of 60 and AWD (athletes with disabilities) can have a pacer/guide at any time. Please pre-register your pacer with us before the start of the Trail Party. Pacers are not allowed for folks under the age of 60 and who are not an AWD.
This is not a crewing-friendly event as there is no access to see your runner/hiker on the course (there is not enough parking at the mile 9.5 aid station).
BUT- the start/finish at Squatch HQ is a nice spot for friends and family to hang out. There is a large field for kids to hang out and most years there is a farmers market down the road. We have a range of fun games that your family can enjoy: corn hole, connect four, a giant rainbow parachute and the Squatch Hunt. Don't be shy, join in on the fun!
GETTING TO THE RACE
The start/finish is at Powerhouse Park in Tuxedo, NY. There is a $3 parking fee for the commuter lot. Interested in carpooling? Check out the Sassquad Carpool-Assist Program!
Q: What's the weather like in Tuxedo, NY in October?
A: Cool, usually in the high 50's, low 60's. Odds are that the Trail Party will be during peak foliage!
Q: What food will you have at the aid station?
A: The Leaky Cauldron is running on their inventory of butterbeer, jelly slugs, fizzing whizbees so we have to stick with the standard trial running fare. We will have a wide variety of traditional ultra running food, as well as many vegan and gluten-free items. We will also have SKRATCH!
Q: Can I sign my kids up for the Trail Party?
A: Yes! We want the WHOLE family to come out to our events! 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 Fred and George before during and after the race. We only have 1 search-party and they're already out there looking for Sasquatch.
Q: This will be my first trail race. What do I need to know?
A: Merlin's beard! We are SO EXCITED for you! You will feel welcomed at our race and you can expect a well-marked course. Take your time out there and enjoy the experience! You do not have to run the entire time! Do some hiking and have fun.
Q: Can I have a pacer?
A: As with all of our events, Squatchers over the age of 60 and AWD (athletes with disabilities) can have a pacer/guide at any time. Please fill out the pacer registration form ahead of time and be sure to pick-up a pacer bib during check-in! Pacers are not allowed for other runners and hikers without prior approval from the Trail Party Director.
Q: Are there restrooms at the start/finish area?
A: There are portajohns at the start/finish area.
Q: I could get lost in a brown paper bag. Will the course be marked?
A: We will have bright colored ribbons along the course and plenty at all of the turns. Please note: we do not allow Apparating at this trail party. Wizards and witches who apparate wil receive a DQ.
Q: Will I encounter any wildlife on the course?
A: Besides the centaurs and hippogriffs, 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! But do make sure you watch out for the Whomping Willow.
Q: I can't come to the Trail Party anymore, can I get a refund?
A: Like many other race organizations, we do not offer refunds for our events. Please take the time to double check your calendar before registering for a Trail Party. Please understand that we do not offer refunds under any circumstances. If you notify us via email (not through social media, text or phone call) more than 45 days from the date of the Trail Party, we will extend a deferral to any of our events that fall within one calendar year of the Trail Party that you were registered for. If you sustain an injury less than 45 days from the race date, we will extend a deferral if you come to that race to volunteer for at least 4 hours. The race credit is the amount that you paid for the race (not including UltraSignUp fees) so you will need to cover any difference in fees; refunds will not be issued if the deferred event costs less than your race credit. You can only defer one time so please doublecheck that you can make the race you're deferring to.
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Sorry, but Padfoot has to stay at home for this race. Our liability insurance does not cover dogs at our events; thank you for understanding!
​Q: 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?
A: 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. If you bandit a race, you will be banned from registering for any of our Sassquad events.