2026 Wawayanda Trail Fest
The 2026 Wawayanda Trail Fest takes place on April 25, 2026, at Harriman State Park in the Lake Welch area of Hewitt, United States. Participants can expect mixed terrain including flowy singletrack, forest roads, rocks, roots, and some road sections, with a slightly more technical profile than the original course. The 100K distance has been cancelled due to park time constraints, and the event has moved from its original venue in New Jersey. Weather conditions for Hewitt in late April typically include mild to cool temperatures ranging from 45°F to 65°F (7°C to 18°C), with a moderate chance of rain and variable wind conditions; layered clothing is advisable for early morning start times.
What distances are available for this event?
- →50 Mile race starting at 5:00 AM (check-in opens 4:15 AM)
- →50K race starting at 6:30 AM
- →Half Marathon (13.1 miles) starting at 9:00 AM
What is the course terrain like?
The course winds through Harriman State Park on mixed terrain, including flowy singletrack, forest roads, rocks, roots, and some road sections. The terrain is described as slightly more technical than the original Wawayanda course.
What are the elevation gains for each distance?
- →50 Mile: Approximately 7,800 ft elevation gain with about 35 miles of unique trails and some overlap
- →50K: Approximately 4,900 ft elevation gain with all unique trails and no repeats
- →Half Marathon: Approximately 1,700 ft elevation gain, using the same course as Suffern Bear Ultra two years ago
What are the cutoff times for each race?
- →50 Mile cutoff: 1:28 PM at Mile 31.5
- →50K cutoff: 2:04 PM at Mile 21
- →50 Mile and 50K hard finish cutoff: 7:00 PM
What aid station options are available?
- →50 Mile: At least 8 aid stations
- →50K: At least 4 aid stations
- →Half Marathon: At least 1 aid station
Staples include fruit, PB&J, potatoes, pretzels, chips, candy, broth, bacon, quesadillas, and pierogi, with Skratch as the electrolyte hydration. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
Are pacers allowed, and at which points?
- →50 Mile: Pacers allowed starting at Mile 38 (Main Event aid station)
- →50K: Pacers allowed starting at Mile 21 (Water Tower aid station)
- →Half Marathon: No pacers allowed
Where can course maps and aid station details be found?
Course maps are available at Plotaroute ↗, and aid station distances with a pacing chart are accessible via Google Drive ↗.
Is camping available?
Camping is being coordinated with Harriman State Park and is to be announced.
Are course maps finalized?
Courses are still pending final park approval as of early April 2026.
Where is the start and finish location?
The start and finish are at Parking Lot 1, Lake Welch Beach, accessible through the West entrance off Route 106, with a GPS pin at Google Maps ↗.
Where can the 2026 Racer Guide be accessed?
The 2026 Racer Guide is available at Google Docs ↗.