JANUARY 27, 2024
The Frosty Fat Sass is a trail race for runners who love the cold (or runners who hate the cold but need to sign-up for an event because they need the accountability to keep running through the winter) and are ready for a physical and mental challenge! Join us on January 27, 2024 for the 6th annual Frosty Fat Sass! Runners can sign-up for a 5k, 3 hours or 6 hours. Funds raised at this trail party will be donated to the South Mountain Conservancy.
TRAIL PARTY DETAILS
FROSTY FAT SASS
This is a Sassquad OG event.. The Frosty Fat Sass was the very first official Trail Party we ever hosted back in 2018. We had 100 people show up and at the end of the race, people wanted to know when the next Sassquad event was! It all really snowballed after that! We have kept this as a Fat-Sass style event, meaning - no swag, no aid and no whining (unless you don't see Sasquatch, then you can whine a little!).
CHARITY PARTNER
Founded in March 2000, the South Mountain Conservancy is a volunteer, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to preserve, protect, and enhance the South Mountain Reservation through active stewardship, advocacy, and education. Through volunteer activities, public programs and partnership with the Essex County Parks Department, the SMC serves as a steward and advocate for the South Mountain Reservation. The SMC strives to preserve, protect, and enhance the ecology, infrastructure and natural beauty of this regional park and to foster public appreciation and support for it. Since 2018, we have raised over $10,300 for the Conservancy!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
6H & 5K Check-in between 8:15am-8:45am.
6H & 5K - 9am start
6H finish - 3pm
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3H Check-in between 11:15am-11:45am
3H - 12pm start
3H finish - 3pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION
We use the same 5K loop from our Squatchy Leftovers race in November. There are portapottys at the start/finish area. There's 289 ft of gain. The first 1.25 miles are mellow, double wide trails. Shortly after you pass the Girl Scout Camp on your left, you'll turn right to begin a 200'+ descent that is rocky due to erosion the last couple of years. Take your time on this downhill as there are loose rocks and roots. At the bottom of the hill, you'll turn right and will be back on mellow doublewide trails. At mile 2.5, you'll hop on a singletrack that has some rocks and roots. There's a 1/2 mile of this singletrack before you return to the start/finish. If you're going to be out there for 3 or 6 hours, we recommend a grippy shoe that can give ya some comfort over rocks and roots. We will always provide a detailed trail conditions report leading up to the race and will include recommendations for any winter traction devices! You can download the gpx file and map below.
AID STATION
This is a Fat-Sass event which means that we do not have an aid station. Runners/hikers need to BYO fuel and hydration. Bring you favorite snacks and feel free to bring extra to share with the crew! We'll provide coolers of water, please bring a cup/bottle/hydration pack with you so you can refill your water.
COURSE MARKINGS
The course will be well-marked with neon pink/reflective ribbon. We have large red directional arrows at each of the turns.
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 race starts and finishes at the Turtleback Rock Picnic Area off of Walker Road in West Orange at the South Mountain Reservation. We'll be able to fit about 110 cars in the Turtleback Rock Picnic Area Lot. After the main parking lot is full, our Volunteers will direct overflow parking to thet side streets off of Walker Road. Please do not park illegally or block anyone's driveways on those side streets.
FAQS
CAN I HAVE A PACER?
No pacers are allowed.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
NO. Our insurance policy does not cover dogs at our races. Thanks for understanding.
WHAT FOOD SHOULD I BRING?
15 Dr. Pepper's, a box of chocolate, peas and carrots, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
WILL I SEE SASQUATCH?
We sure hope you do! Make sure you take a selfie with him if you see Squatchy out there!
Cold. Snow. Maybe Hail. Balmy? Dress warm. Bring layers. Be smart. Check the forecast for West Orange, NJ
WILL THE COURSE BE MARKED?
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?
Mama always had a way of explaining things so I could understand them. So YES, we will mark the course just like Mama would so you can understand which way to go. We will have bright colored ribbons along the course and plenty at all of the turns.
CAN I GET A REFUND?
Unfortunately we do not offer refunds on the nonrefundable registration fee.
WHAT ADDRESS SHOULD I USE TO GET TO THE PARK?
CAN I REGISTER MY KIDS FOR THIS RACE?
374 Walker Road, West Orange, NJ 07052
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.
YES! We love having families join us. If you are registering 3 or more squatches, please email us for a discount code! trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com