COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Squatchapple course consists of 3 different loops that all start/finish at the Tulip Springs Trailhead. The loops are 4 miles, 5.5 miles, and 7 miles. Runners/hikers will complete a combination of these three loops to achieve the distances that they registered for. You must complete the loops in the exact order that they are listed. We only allow drop-downs for the 50M -> 50K and the 50K -> 20M. 20 Milers cannot drop down to the 11 miler as they are different loop sequences. Folks who drop down are not eligible for post-race awards.

4 Mile Turtleback Loop, PINK RIBBONS: 370 ft gain, 75% carriage roads, 25% singletrack. This is almost the same loop that we use for the Frosty Fat Sass and Squatchy Leftovers – we just add a little bit extra which means you get to see “Turtleback Rock”. You’ll know what it is when you get there! This loop is mostly mellow doublewide trails with a bit of singletrack. There is one big climb and one big descent. You’ll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200’+ rocky hill. 

5.5 Mile Locust Grove Loop, CHECKERED RIBBON. 600 ft gain. 90% carriage roads, 10% singletrack. This loop is mostly mellow doublewide trails. The one exception is the rocky, technical climb up the steep Lenape Trail–300′ gain in 1/2 mile. The other 300′ gain in the loop are gentle rollers. This year we rerouted the back half of the course to follow the Crest Trail rather than the Swampy Trail. The Crest Trail parallels Crest Drive and is a flat, doublewide trail. You’ll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200’+ rocky hill. 

7 Mile Mayapple Loop BLUE RIBBONS: 960 ft gain. 35% singletrack, 30% road, 34% carriage roads, 1% grass field. Note: this loop has two road crossings – all runners/hikers must cross legally and only when they have the right-of-way at the crosswalk! You’ll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200’+ rocky hill. 

50 Miler: 5,790 ft gain – Pink, Checkered, Blue repeated 3 x’s
50K: 3,860 ft gain – Pink, Checkered, Blue repeated 2 x’s
20 Miler: 2,155 ft gain – Pink, Checkered, Blue, Pink
11 Miler: 1,185 ft gain – Pink, Blue

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We will include a detailed trail conditions report leading up to the race… But be warned, this event has been nicknamed, “The Slopapple” due to notoriously ‘spicy’ weather and muddy trail conditions that are common at an early spring race! Generally, most runners/hikers find a sturdy trail shoe with decent lugs to be a good match for this race (think Brooks Cascadia, Altra Timps, Hoka Speedgoat, etc).  Trekking poles are allowed at all of our events.