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DECEMBER 21, 2024

Sassquad Trail Running and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference are proud to present the Squatchy Solstice 5K at the Hilltop Reservation in Cedar Grove, NJ! This 5K scenic tour of Hilltop Reservation includes some hills, rocks, and roots - it's going to be squatchtastic!

TRAIL PARTY DETAILS

SQUATCHY ONESIEFEST 5K

Join us at 9am on Saturday December 21, 2024 for this squatchtastic 5K on the shortest day of the year. Your race registration is directly helping the Trail Conference maintain the trails that we will be using for the Trail Party. 

CHARITY PARTNER

We are proud to partner with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference!  The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains, and protects public trails. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

​Check-in between 8:15am-8:45am.

9am start

No cut-off! The course closes when our last hiker finishes.

squatch hq

We have fun games at Squatch HQ including corn hole, giant connect four, and tic tac toe boards! We provide private changing tents that are available for use before, during, and after our races. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This trail party starts and finishes in Cedar Grove Park, across the street from the Robert J. O'Toole Community Center in Cedar Grove. Once that parking lot fills up, overflow will be directed to the Verona Community Pool, half a mile from the start/finish. There are portajohns in the community center parking lot,

 

The Squatchy Solstice 5K is a scenic tour of the Hilltop Reservation. that highlights the Second Watchung Mountain in Essex County, NJ. The preserved ridgeline is composed of lands formerly included in the grounds of the Essex Mountain Sanatorium, a hospital originally constructed in the early 1900s. This is not a flat course and is mostly hilly (hence the name Hilltop!) singletracks with rocks and roots. There is about 320 ft of elevation gain with most of it in the first mile! We will provide a detailed trail conditions report leading up to the race and include any recommendations for winter traction (spikes). Trekking poles are allowed at all of our events. We always have a fully stocked first aid kit and AED at Squatch HQ. Our first aid kit includes menstrual products and wipes.

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!

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

This trail party starts and finishes across the street from the Robert J. O'Toole Community Center in Cedar Grove. Once the Community Center parking lot fills up, overflow will be directed to the Verona Community Pool, half a mile from the start/finish.

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Interested in carpooling? Check out the Sassquad Carpool Assist Program!

COURSE MAP, profile, and gpx

(updated 11/12/24)

Squatchy Solstice Elevation Profile.png

Q: What's the weather like in Cedar Grove, NJ in December?

A: Temps will likely be cold and in the 30's. NJ has been having very mild winters so it is unlikely that there will be a lot of snow, if any. We will send out a trail conditions report the week of the Trail Party!

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: 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 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. If you sustain an injury less than 21 days from the race date, we will extend a deferral if you come to that race to volunteer for at least 4 hours. 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. 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: This will be my first trail race. What do I need to know?

A: We are SO EXCITED that you are choosing a Sassquad event for your first trail race! You don't have to run - this is definitely a hiker-friendly event. Come ready to have a great time and meet some awesome people!

​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. 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.

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 sign my kids up for the 5K?

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. 

Q: Can I run with my dog?

A: No, our insurance policy does not cover dogs at any of our events. Spectators can bring a four-legged friend but it must be leashed at all times. Thank you for understanding!

Q: Are there restrooms at the start/finish area?

​A: There are portajohns in the  Parking Lot. 

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