JUNE 25, 2023
A Trail Party that begins at midnight? YES, YES, YES! Join us on Sunday June 25, 2023 at the Burlington County Fairgrounds for the Midnight Squatchapalooza! Runners can sign up to squatch for 12 hours, 6 hours or 3 hours.. Don't miss out on the biggest all-night Sassquad Trail Party of 2023!
TRAIL PARTY DETAILS
MIDNIGHT SQUATCHAPALOOZA
The idea for the Midnight Squatchapalooza was pitched to us by a runner. Runner ideas are often some of the best (and worst) ideas - the Midnight Squatchapalooza was a winner! The concept was simple: start the race in the middle of the night, midnight to be exact. The overnight twist would allow newbie runners/hikers to try night trails for the first time and allow veterans to practice overnight miles. Finding the perfect venue took some time, but as soon as we arrived at the Burlington County Fairgrounds for recon back in 2019, we knew it was the perfect location. A short looped grass course, huge covered pavillion, real restrooms, tons of parking AND access to electricity. The Fairgounds Director thought the idea was nuts, but he enthusiastically issued the permit. We are so excited for the 2023 Midnight Squatchapalooza!
CHARITY PARTNER
We are proud to partner with the "New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA)" for this event! After the Midnight Squatchapalooza, we will be making a donation to the NJCASA! The NJCASA is the statewide advocacy and capacity building organization that represents the twenty-one county-based rape crisis centers, and the Rutgers University -New Brunswick Office of Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance. NJCASA elevates the voice of sexual violence survivors and service providers by advocating for survivor-centered legislation, training allied professionals, and supporting statewide prevention strategies that work to address and defy the socio-cultural norms that permit and promote rape culture.
Please use the following address: 1990 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, Columbus, NJ and this GPS LINK to get to the park. The start/finish is under the large covered pavilion.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
12H
Check-in: 11:15pm-11:45pm Saturday
Start time: 12am Sunday
End Time: 12pm Sunday
6H
Check-in: 11:15pm-11:45pm Saturday
Start time: 12am Sunday
End Time: 6am Sunday
3H
Check-in: 8:15am-8:45am Sunday
Start time: 9am Sunday
End Time: 12pm Sunday
REQUIRED GEAR
Safety first! All runners and hikers are required to have a headlamp or flashlight with them at all time. Ridiculous light-up costumes ar encouraged but not required.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
All events will use the same 2.5 mile loop at the Burlington County Fairgrounds in Columbus, NJ. This flat and fast course is 2/3 trail and 1/3 pavement. The beginning/end of the course is pavement because it brings you to the start/finish area at the large covered pavilion next to the parking lot. There are full restrooms with running water next to the pavilion and all runners have access to their vehicles with a short walk to the parking lot.
The course starts by following the pavement to the trailhead. The Burlington County Fairgrounds have a beautiful trail system that resembles a squatchtastic cross-country course. The wide trails are grass and FLAT; there is only about 20 feet of elevation gain on the course so that means that the course is flat and fast!
AID STATION
Our Volunteer Dream Team will bring all of the Trail Magic to the Aid Station! We will have hot food, plenty of snacks as well as water and Skratch Hydration. As always, we will have a large assortment of gluten-free and vegan options. Aid Station may include the following: fruit, ice pops, GF fruit snacks, granola bars, GF oreos, GF pretzels, GF tortilla chips, GF corn tortillas, quesadillas, bacon, pierogies, ramen, veggie broth etc.
COURSE MARKINGS
The course will be well-marked with neon pink/reflective ribbon. We have large red directional arrows at each of the turns. When you run at night, your headlamp will illuminate the reflective tape on the trail markers.
"NATURE"
Welcome to Jurassic Park! JUST KIDDING! The Burlington County Fairgounds does have some "nature" that we will have to contend with. There is poison ivy on the course and there are ticks. We encourage all participants to wear high socks and do frequent tick-checks. The Fairgrounds will mow the grass the day before the Trail Party, which will help reduce both elements, but there is still a possibility that you'll encounter em!
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
Please use the following address: 1990 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, Columbus, NJ and this GPS LINK to get to the park. The start/finish is under the large covered pavilion.
CREW / RUNNER SETUP
Runners are allowed a crew but pacers are a major no-no. You are welcome to bring a tent and individual setup but we encourage you to keep it reasonable (don't bring the kitchen sink!). There are power outlets are available under the covered pavillion.
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 IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
The swallow may fly south with the sun or the house martin or the plover may seek warmer climes in winter, yet these are not strangers to our land? We are not suggesting that coconuts migrate; but they could be carried.... And the weather is usually very warm; average highs in the mid to upper 80's, lows in the mid to upper 50's.
WILL I SEE SASQUATCH?
Yes, the parking lot is just a short walk to the start/finish area.
WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO MY CAR?
CAN I SET UP A TENT?
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. Stokes State Forest is home to many critters, including black bears, deer, beavers and coyotes. Will you see anything while you're out there? Maybe?!
Water, Skratch, Coca Cola, Coffee. Hot food will include cheese quesadillas, salted potatoes, pierogies, etc. Snacks may include pb&j, bananas, watermelon, oranges, chips, pretzels etc etc etc!
WILL THE COURSE BE MARKED?
Yup! Pop-ups are allowed or you can use the area under the pavillion.
WHAT ADDRESS SHOULD I USE TO GET TO THE PARK?
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.
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?
CAN I GET A REFUND?
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.