2026 Glacier Ridge Ultramarathon and Trail Race
The 2026 Glacier Ridge Ultramarathon and Trail Race is scheduled for May 9, 2026, in Portersville, Pennsylvania, taking place within the scenic landscapes of Moraine State Park and the Jennings Environmental Education Center. Participants can expect typical early May weather for the region, which often features mild temperatures ranging from cool mornings to pleasant afternoons, though spring showers are possible. This trail-only event offers a variety of distances through wooded, natural terrain, following the Glacier Ridge Trail and North Country Trail corridors.
What race distances and formats are available?
- →20 Mile Trail Run / Endurance Hike: A 20-mile trail event.
- →50K Ultramarathon: A trail ultra following the same corridor as the 20-miler.
- →50 Mile Ultramarathon: A long, out-and-back trail ultra.
- →50 Mile 5-person Relay: A relay version of the 50-mile course where five runners share the full distance.
What is the terrain like for the courses?
The courses are trail-based, utilizing single-track and double-track surfaces. The routes are not road-centric; instead, they consist of wooded, forested sections with natural terrain and elevation changes characteristic of state-park trail systems. The 20-mile and 50K courses primarily follow the blue-blazed Glacier Ridge Trail (part of the North Country Trail), while the 50-mile and relay courses extend further along the same trail network.
What is the event schedule for race weekend?
Friday (Packet Pickup & Briefing):
- →Packet Pickup: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Moraine State Park, McDanel’s Boat Launch, Pavilion #7.
- →Race Briefing: 6:00 PM (weather permitting).
Saturday (Race Day):
- →4:45 AM – 5:45 AM: Race day check-in.
- →5:45 AM: Latest check-in for 50-mile and relay teams.
- →6:00 AM: 50-Mile and 5-Person Relay start.
- →7:00 AM: 50K start.
- →8:00 AM: 20 Mile start.
What are the course cut-off times?
- →12:00 PM: Intermediate cutoff for 50K and 50-mile runners at Jennings Aid Station.
- →3:00 PM: Cutoff for 50-mile and relay runners at North Country Club Road Aid Station (inbound, Mile 32).
- →4:00 PM: 20-mile finish cutoff.
- →5:00 PM: 50K finish cutoff and cutoff for 50-mile/relay runners at Upper 528 Aid Station (inbound, Mile 40.7).
- →8:00 PM: Final 50-mile and 5-person relay finish cutoff.
What are the rules regarding crew and support?
- →Crew access is permitted only for 50K and 50-mile individual runners.
- →Crews may only meet runners at designated aid stations (Upper 528, Jennings, and North Country Club Road) within 100 yards of the station.
- →Crews are responsible for providing their own food and drinks.
- →Crews must obey all posted speed limits and are permitted to travel between aid stations ahead of the runner.
What awards and participant swag are provided?
Awards:
- →All participants: A finisher's medallion.
- →1st Place: Trophies for the male and female winners of each race distance.
- →50-Mile Relay: A trophy for each member of the 1st-place relay team.
Distance-Specific Shirts:
- →50 Milers: ¼-zip technical long-sleeve run shirt.
- →50K Runners: Technical long-sleeve shirt.
- →20 Milers: Technical short-sleeve shirt.
- →50-Mile Relay Members: Technical short-sleeve shirt.