Event Information

Baker Trail UltraChallenge 2024 - Central Section

Overview

The twentieth annual Baker Trail UltraChallenge will take place on Saturday August 24, 2024. The UltraChallenge is a 50-mile ultramarathon on the Baker Trail. Unlike the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge, this is a footrace; the "challenge" is for you or your relay team to win, or at least finish in 14 hours or less! This year, the UltraChallenge starts in Summerville, PA at 6:30 AM. Runners will follow the Baker Trail south for 42 miles to Plumville, then turn north for 8 miles to Smicksburg and end at a private farm. The deadline for finishing is 8:30 PM.

Registration and Volunteer Sign-Up Roster

Register here and also access the Volunteer Roster to see what roles are available for sign-up.

Participant Information

Important event details and other information for participants is here.

Shirts & Awards

Solo registrants and relay team members will receive a shirt.

All Solo finishers will receive the first piece of a unique three-piece medal (a different piece will be awarded in each of the subsequent two years for the south and north sections). Trophies will be awarded for:

  • First, second, and third place male, female and nonbinary finishers
  • First place Masters (age 40+) male, female and nonbinary finishers (Masters have precedence over 2nd & 3rd place)
  • First overall, and first coed relay team finishers

Lodging

There are no hotels near registration (and the race finish). You may sleep at the private farm in a tent, the barn (no livestock), or your vehicle. If you are planning to get dropped off at the race start, which is in Summerville, PA, there is a Hampton Inn in Clarion, PA, which is 20 miles from the start.

Volunteers

The UltraChallenge needs volunteers! We will need people throughout the day, from morning registration to aid stations along the course, and the finish. People can volunteer for as few as two hours. If you'd like to help out, review and sign up on the Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities page. What's in it for a volunteer? As a thank-you, all volunteers receive a coveted Marshal t-shirt and the gratitude of many strangers!