JUNE 10, 2023
Sassquad Trail Running and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference are proud to present the first annual Sterling SquaTCh Half Marathon (the capitalized "TC" in SquaTCh stands for "Trail Conference"!!) Join us on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 9am for this trail half marathon. You'll enjoy gorgeous rolling singletracks through rhododendrons, pass by beautiful lakes, meadows and a waterfall. This event is hiker-friendly, family-friendly, newbie-friendly; come one, come all! Our Trail Parties are always open to all peoples, ages and paces.
TRAIL PARTY DETAILS
PARKING
Due to the surge in registration, we have moved parking over to the Tuxedo High School just 14 minutes from the Laurel Meadow Pond trailhead. ALL RUNNERS/HIKERS must park at the High School. We have 2 buses that will start shuttling you at 7:15am; the final shuttle will leave the High School at 8:15AM. You are welcome to get dropped off at the race start, but you will not be able to leave your car at the trailhead. The buses will begin shuttling runners/hikers back to the High School at 11:30am. The final bus will depart the race at 2:15pm
Use this address for Tuxedo High School: 1 Tornado Drive, Tuxedo, NY
Use this address for the race start ONLY if you are being dropped off: Laurel Meadow Pond Trailhead, Tuxedo, NY
CHECK-IN
The race will start and finish at Laurel Meadows Pond Parking Area at Sterling Forest State Park. Check-in will be open from 8:15am-8:45am where you will receive your handcrafted wood medal (made with squatchy love in the Squatch Shop), race swag and bib. Runners and hikers will take home a swag item of their choice, we will have buffs, hats, travel mugs, beach towels available! Please note: pacers are not allowed. Members of the Trail Conference will be at the race to chat with you about the amazing work they are doing in New York and New Jersey.
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. Your race registration is directly helping the Trail Conference build and maintain the trails that we are using at Sterling Forest!
TRAIL PARTY LOCATION
The race will start and finish at Laurel Meadows Pond, Sterling Forest in Tuxedo Park, NY.
ALL runners and hikers must park at the NY Renaissance Faire: 600 Rt. 17A, Tuxedo, NY
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Start time: 9am
Check-in: 8:15am-8:45am
4.3M Aid Station Cutoff: 10:35am
9.2M Aid Station Cutoff: 12:30pm
13.1M Cutoff: 2pm
COURSE MARKINGS
The course will be well-marked with neon pink/reflective ribbon. We have large red directional arrows at each of the turns.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The 13.1 mile routes highlights the rolling singletrack trails of Sterling State Forest. This is not a flat course, but is not nearly as challenging as our two Big Bear SquaTCh events at Harriman State Park, NY. You'll enjoy gorgeous rolling singletracks through rhododendrons, pass by beautiful lakes, meadows and a waterfall. There is 1,900 ft of elevation gain in the 13.1 miles.
AID STATION
Our Volunteer Dream Team will bring all of the Trail Magic to the Aid Station! You'll be well-supported at this Trail Party with two on-course aid stations that will be well stocked with snacks, water and Skratch Hydration. The first water/food aid station is at mile 4.3 and the second water/food aid station is at mile 9.2. Aid Station may include the following: fruit, ice pops, GF fruit snacks, granola bars, GF oreos, GF pretzels, GF tortilla chips etc.
"NATURE"
Sterling Forest State Park is home to a variety of critters. So this is your "nature disclaimer". Yes, there are Black Bears at Sterling. Here is what ya need to do if you see a bear during the race (this is from the NJ 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!
GETTING TO THE RACE
ALL RUNNERS/HIKERS must park at the Tuxedo High School.
Use this address for Tuxedo High School: 1 Tornado Drive, Tuxedo, NY
Use this address for the race start ONLY if you are being dropped off: Laurel Meadow Pond Trailhead, Tuxedo, NY
FAQS
CAN I HAVE A PACER?
No pacers are allowed.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
June will likely be warm and humid. Check the forecast for Tuxedo Park, NY. We should see some great neon green foliage!
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
WILL I SEE SASQUATCH?
Sorry, but Buddy has to stay at home for this race. Our liability insurance does not cover dogs running our races; thank you for understanding!
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. Sterling Forest State Park is home to many critters, including black bears, deer, beavers and coyotes. It is possible that you will see wildlife.
Aid Station may include the following: fruit, ice pops, GF fruit snacks, granola bars, GF oreos, GF pretzels, GF tortilla chips etc.
CAN I GET A REFUND?
Unfortunately we do not offer refunds for our non-refundable registration fee. Thank you for understanding!.
WILL THE COURSE BE MARKED?
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.
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?
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.