WE WELCOME ALL PEOPLES, ALL PACES, AND ALL AGES TO OUR EVENTS
We believe that EVERYONE deserves a chance to enjoy the trails. You have a place here at Sassquad, no matter your ability, appearance, or gender. Whether you are brand new to trail running, returning after time away, navigating accessibility needs, or simply looking for a community that sees you and has your back, you belong here. Fast, mid-pack, back-of-the-pack, run-walkers, hikers, and folks out there just moving forward all enjoy generous cutoff times and share the same finish line celebration. our aid stations don't close until every participant comes through. Our trail parties are intentionally built to support runners of all identities, backgrounds, abilities, and lived experiences. This includes people of all gender identities and gender expressions. Transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming runners are welcome here, respected here, and celebrated here. We take your word at face-value and do not ask for any qualifying information to express your gender-identity.
squatchanthropy
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We have an official local charity partner for every Sassquad event! To date, we have donated $60,000 to our charity and non-profit partners. Learn more about our charity and non-profit partners HERE.
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Our Squatch Community Fund provides full and partial scholarships for folks with a financial-need
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We also actively participate in The Trail Mix Fund's initiative to remove financial barriers in trail running
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We provide full scholarships for the Hackensack (NJ) Middle School Happy Feet Trail Running Club thanks to the generosity of our community members.
SQUATCHY DISCOUNTS - PLEASE EMAIL US FOR THE CODE
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Elder Squatches over the age of 60
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Kids under the age of 19
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Families registering 3 or more
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Active-duty military and veterans
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Hospital workers
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EMS, Police, and Fire
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Teachers
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Affiliate clubs - please email us to see if we have an active discount for your club (if we don't, we can create one!)
ACCESSIBILITY
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The Trailside Support program makes sure every runner and hiker has a great experience at our events. You can submit requests for accommodations ahead of time, and we’ll do our best to support your needs on race day. Our goal is to make sure everyone, regardless of ability or circumstance, feels comfortable, included, and ready to enjoy the trails to the fullest.
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As part of our commitment to accessibility and support, we are proud to share Team HippoGriffin, a new program designed to support runners and hikers with a physical, intellectual, and/or neurodevelopmental disability who need a guide to explore the trails safely and confidently.
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One of our other initiatives includes offering a delayed start for participants with a physical or cognitive disability or a mental health condition that makes large crowds challenging.
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The Jackalope Tent is a quiet space that is available at our largest Trail Parties. The tent is away from the crowds and loud music.
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To ensure more runners can access important event information, we also provide Spanish translations of our race materials.
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We allow pacers at sunset for any participant at any of our events that go into the evening hours.
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Squatchers over the age of 60 can have a pacer/guide with them at any time.
SAFETY
We are committed to creating race environments where everyone feel supported, respected, and protected on and off the trails. We believe safety goes beyond medical plans and course markings. It also includes emotional safety, personal privacy, and knowing you are not alone out there. Our Squatch Together program pairs newbies and those seeking extra support with experienced community members, helping people feel more confident and safe. We also take privacy seriously by keeping our race rosters on UltraSignup private to help protect participants’ personal information. We have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, hate speech, harassment, or any kind of disrespectful language or behavior towards participants, volunteers, spectators, race staff, or park users. This applies to our in-person events, online events, and our social media content.
SQUATCH SISTAHS
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All of our events are Trail Sister Approved. This means that we have Equal Podiums & Awards (we give out awards to the top three female/non-binary/male), we offer women's specific swag/apparel in the Squatch Shop, we have menstrual products at our aid stations, and private changing tents at Squatch HQ.
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Thank you to Pelvic Floor PT Dr. Colleen Drahos for sponsoring the menstrual products and body wipes!
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Our starting line will always be big enough for women
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We have a pregnancy, adoption, IVF, and postpartum policy (see below)
CARPOOLS
Looking to carpool with other Sassquaders? We have Carpool-Assist Program to help connect runners and hikers for carpooling opportunities. Email us if you would like some help finding a carpool to one of our events!
REFUNDS & DEFERRALS
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
COMMUNITY CARE DEFERRAL POLICY
We recognize that the current climate around immigration enforcement, including ICE activity, is creating real fear and barriers to training, travel, and participation. Any registered participant who feels unsafe may request a deferral of their race entry for up to three years from the original race date, no questions asked. For anyone who still wants to participate but is feeling hesitant, our Squatch Together Program offers the option to be paired with another runner or hiker for support before, during, and after race day. Your safety, dignity, and sense of belonging come first.
BANDITS
Any individuals caught banditing a race will be banned from Sassquad events. Banditing means that you are on our race course without registering. Please do not bandit our Trail Parties or any other event!