JUNE 8, 2024
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 8, 2024 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
STERLING SQUATCH
Come out to the magical Sterling Forest to enjoy the Sterling Squatch! We've teamed up with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference to put together an incredible course that is packed with trail beauty!
NON-PROFIT 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.
REGISTRATION
$85
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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Bib & safety pins
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Swag item
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Handcrafted Finishers' Medal
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2 on-course Aid Stations with water, Skratch and snacks
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Awards for top 3 male, female and non-binary
TRAIL PARTY LOCATION
The race will start and finish at the Laurel Meadows Pond Parking Area at Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo Park, NY. The trailhead for this event cannot support parking for our race. We'll have off-site parking with shuttles for pick-up/drop-off. Stay tuned for more info on parking!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Start time: 9am
Check-in: 8:15am-8:45am
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South Gate Aid Station 4.3M Cutoff: 10:35am
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Caretakers Aid Station 9.2M 12:30pm
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Finish Line Cutoff: 2pm
We have a 5 hour cut-off which comes out to about 23 minutes/mile. Our Sweepers will leave the start/finish area at behind the last runners/hikers to start making their way around the course to take down the course markers.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Sterling SquaTCh takes you through 13 miles of unique trails at Sterling Forest State Park. This half marathon course has a fun mix of rolling singletracks, woods roads and highlights the trail beautiful of this state park. There is 1,900 feet of elevation gain over the 13.1 miles. This is not a flat course, but it is no where near as challenging as our two Big Bear SquaTCh Trail Parties at Harriman State Park. We recommend a sturdy trail shoe with good grip/lugs. Trekking poles could be helpful for some folks. 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.
AID STATIONS
There are two on-course aid stations with water, Skratch and snacks. You'll hit these aid stations at mile 4.3 and mile 9.2. Snacks include items like bananas, granola bars, fruit snacks etc. (and maybe ice pops if its hot!).
COURSE MARKINGS
​The course will be well-marked with neon pink/reflective ribbon. We have large red directional arrows at each of the turns.
REGISTRATION
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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 trailhead for this event cannot support parking for our race.
We'll have off-site parking with shuttles for pick-up/drop-off. Stay tuned for more info on parking!
FAQS
CAN I HAVE A PACER?
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 register your pacer prior to the start of the event! ​Pacers are not allowed for other runnres and hikers without prior approval from the Trail Party Director.
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.