SQUATCHAPPLE

MARCH 7, 2026

There is the Fallapple, the Mayapple, the Febapple, and THE SQUATCHAPPLE!! Join us on Saturday March 7, 2026 for the Squatchapple Trail Race at the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ! With distances for everyone, this trail party is open to runners and hikers of all ages and paces. Runners/hikers can sign up to squatch 11 miles, 20 miles, 50K or 50 miles! We will be supporting the South Mountain Conservancy with this trail party! This event WILL sell-out before race day so register early to avoid being added to the waitlist!

QUICK STATS

RACE FORMAT: 50M, 50K, 20M, 11M. 3 different trail loops repeated to complete each distance.

CUTOFFS:

50M - 13 hour cutoff (15 min 36 sec per mile pace) *Option to start an hour early to finish in 14 hours
50K - 12 hour cutoff
(23 min and 12 sec per mile pace)
20M - 11 hour cutoff (33 min per mile pace)
11M - 11 hour cutoff (60 min per mile pace)

ELEVATION/TERRAIN: Great mix of hard packed carriage trails and technical singletracks with rocks and roots

50M - 5,790 ft elevation gain
50K - 3,860 ft elevation gain
20M - 2,155 ft elevation gain
11M - 1,185 ft elevation gain

CAPACITY: Sold out the last 4 years! Typically sells out by mid-February. Capped at 400 participants across all four events

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: NJ Transit Bus Route 73 (Newark - Orange - Livingston Mall) - Northfield Ave at Woods End Road + 1.5 mi walk OR NJ Transit Train to South Orange Station + 3 mile walk. Please check train/bus schedules; if they don't match your start time; Email us and we can help coordinate a carpool!

When we think about the Squatchapple, we think about COMMUNITY! This event brings out families, besties, local running clubs, and folks from around the East Coast for this squatchtastic Trail Party! We offer an 11 miler, 20 miler, 50K, and 50 miler. Be sure to check out our comprehensive Trail Party Handbook, where you can find all of the important deets!

Founded in March 2000, the South Mountain Conservancy is a volunteer, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the South Mountain Reservation through active stewardship, advocacy, and education. Since 2018, Sassquad Trail Runners have donated over $20,000 to the Conservancy!

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION?

Bib & safety pins
Handcrafted Finishers' Medal
Aid Station with water, Skratch, and snacks
Awards for top 3 male, female, and non-binary (must be wearing a onesie to earn post-race awards!)

The race starts and finishes at the Tulip Springs / Boy Scout Area at the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ. Please follow the directions of our Volunteers who will be assisting with parking! Interested in carpooling? Email us!

50 Miler:

Check-in 6:15am-6:45am
Start at 7am
Course closes at 8pm; 13 hour cutoff
Participants need to maintain a 15 min 36 sec pace to finish by 8pm

*6am early start available ONLY for folks who need the extra hour to finish by 8pm; will need to maintain a 16 min 48 sec pace*

50K:

Check-in 7:15am-7:45am
Start at 8am
Course closes at 8pm; 12 hour cutoff
Participants need to maintain a 23 min and 12 sec pace to finish by 8pm

20 Miler:

Check-in 8:15am-8:45am
Start at 9am
Course closes at 8pm; 11 hour cutoff
Participants need to maintain a 33 min per mile pace to finish by 8pm

11 Miler:

Check-in 8:15am-8:45am
Start at 9am
Course closes at 8pm; 11 hour cutoff
Participants need to maintain a 60 min per mile pace to finish by 8pm

The Squatchapple course consists of 3 different loops that all start/finish at the Tulip Springs Trailhead. The loops are 4 miles, 5.5 miles, and 7 miles. Runners/hikers will complete a combination of these three loops to achieve the distances that they registered for. You must complete the loops in the exact order that they are listed. We only allow drop-downs for the 50M -> 50K and the 50K -> 20M. 20 Milers cannot drop down to the 11 miler as they are different loop sequences. Folks who drop down are not eligible for post-race awards.

4 Mile Turtleback Loop, PINK RIBBONS: 370 ft gain, 75% carriage roads, 25% singletrack. This is almost the same loop that we use for the Frosty Fat Sass and Squatchy Leftovers - we just add a little bit extra which means you get to see "Turtleback Rock". You'll know what it is when you get there! This loop is mostly mellow doublewide trails with a bit of singletrack. There is one big climb and one big descent. You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.

5.5 Mile Locust Grove Loop, CHECKERED RIBBON. 600 ft gain. 90% carriage roads, 10% singletrack. This loop is mostly mellow doublewide trails. The one exception is the rocky, technical climb up the steep Lenape Trail--300' gain in 1/2 mile. The other 300' gain in the loop are gentle rollers. This year we rerouted the back half of the course to follow the Crest Trail rather than the Swampy Trail. The Crest Trail parallels Crest Drive and is a flat, doublewide trail. You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.

7 Mile Mayapple Loop BLUE RIBBONS: 960 ft gain. 35% singletrack, 30% road, 34% carriage roads, 1% grass field. Note: this loop has two road crossings - all runners/hikers must cross legally and only when they have the right-of-way at the crosswalk! You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.

50 Miler: 5,790 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue repeated 3 x’s
50K: 3,860 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue repeated 2 x’s
20 Miler: 2,155 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue, Pink
11 Miler: 1,185 ft gain - Pink, Blue

We will include a detailed trail conditions report leading up to the race... But be warned, this event has been nicknamed, "The Slopapple" due to notoriously 'spicy' weather and muddy trail conditions that are common at an early spring race! Generally, most runners/hikers find a sturdy trail shoe with decent lugs to be a good match for this race (think Brooks Cascadia, Altra Timps, Hoka Speedgoat, etc). Trekking poles are allowed at all of our events.

The course will be well-marked with neon pink ribbon for the Pink Loop, blue ribbons for the Blue Loop, and checkered ribbons for the Checkered Loop. 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!

REFUND/DEFERRAL POLICY

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 21 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, minus 15% of the registration fee that you originally paid.
If you sustain an injury less than 21 days from the race date, we will extend a 100% deferral if you come to that race to volunteer. For distances less than 50K, you'll need to volunteer for at least 4 hours and for 50M+ distances, you'll need to volunteer for at least 8 hours to get a 100% deferral.
If the race that you want to drop from is sold-out with an active wait-list and are able to fill your spot: if you notify us via email (not through social media, text or phone call) at least 3 days before the race, 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, minus 15% of the registration fee that you originally paid.

The race credit is the amount that you paid for the race, minus 15% (total credit does 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 double-check that you can make the race you're deferring to.

PREGNANCY, ADOPTION, & POSTPARTUM POLICY

Whether planned or unplanned, the beginning or end of a pregnancy requires healing and recovery time. We are committed to supporting you in this regard. If you are experiencing a pregnancy or postpartum healing and recovery, or have adopted a child, we are pleased to offer a deferral of up to three years from the current event. Simply send us an email and we will arrange the deferral for you. This deferral policy includes partners and spouses and is also extended to folks who are going through the IVF process.

All of our trail parties are CUPLESS: please bring a cup/bottle/pack with you

Any runners/hikers who are still out on the course at 5PM are required to have a headlamp and a charged cellphone with them.

Sunset is at 6pm and the course closes at 8pm.

There are no exceptions to these rules; please be prepared!

You will not be allowed to continue after 5pm if you do not have a headlamp and cellphone.

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: PB&J, fruit, ice pops, GF fruit snacks, granola bars, GF Oreos, GF pretzels, GF tortilla chips, GF corn tortillas, rice cakes, quesadillas, bacon, pierogies, ramen, veggie broth etc. The Aid Station is located at the start/finish area, so you will pass it after you finish each loop; this is the only aid station on the course. Please BYO-ice if you anticipate needing ice. We always have a fully stocked first aid kit and AED at Squatch HQ. Our first aid kit includes menstrual products and wipes. We also provide private changing tents that are available for use before, during, and after our races. Lastly, we have The Jackalope Tent! This is a quiet space that is available at most of our Trail Parties. The tent is away from the crowds and loud music. Stop by the Jackalope Tent when you need a break. The Jackalope Tent is a multi-use space that is also available for breastfeeding. Why do we call it the Jackalope Tent? Jackalopes are peaceful cryptids and are also excellent singers (usually tenor).

PACERS:

Participants (of any distance) who are still out on the course at sunset can have a pacer; please pre-register your pacer and make sure you take a pacer bib for them during check-in. 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.

CREW:

All runners/hikers can have a Crew join them at the Trail Party for the duration of the event. Crew access is only available at Squatch HQ. Crew cannot aid their runner/hiker at any other spot on the course. Crews are encouraged to bring ice if they anticipate their runner/hiker needing ice during the event.Crew are welcome to set up their own pop-up tents at Squatch HQ in the designated areas. All tents and canopies MUST be staked/weighted down (they will fly away if they aren't staked down).

FAQ'S

Q: What's the weather like in West Orange, NJ in March?

A: Great Scott! It could be cold. Maybe. It could be warm. Check the weather before the race and dress appropriately. The zip code for the race is 07052. This Trail Party has earned the nickname: "Slopapple" due to the interesting weather patterns that have occured during the event...

Q: This will be my first trail race. What do I need to know?

A: This is heavy. Seriously, we are SO EXCITED that you are choosing a Sassquad event for your first trail race! This is a great choice for your first race because these trails have a bit of everything! You'll run on easy carriage roads, technical singletracks and enjoy flat trails and hilly trails. You're going to LOVE it!

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.

Q: Can I bring my dog?

A: Sorry, but Einstein has to stay at home for this race. Our liability insurance does not cover dogs at our events; thank you for understanding!

Q: What food will you have at the aid station?

A: We will have a wide variety of traditional ultra running food, as well as many vegan and gluten-free items. You are more than welcome to bring your own food/water and setup your own aid station in the parking lot. You will come back to the lot after every loop.

Q: Are there any roads on the course?

A: Roads? Where we are going, we don't need roads! There is only 1 very, very short stretch of pavement that is less than .20 miles long. There are two road crossing at a stoplights that have crosswalks. Runners/hikers are only allowed to cross LEGALLY and must wait for the right-of-way at the crosswalk.

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.