Join this July for the Fat Sass Switchback Challenge! Runners can sign-up for a 5K (3 loops), 3 hours or 6 hours. The 1 mile loop with 291 ft elevation gain starts and finishes at the Locust Grove Picnic Area off of Glen Ave in Millburn, NJ at the South Mountain Reservation.
In lieu of a registration fee, we will be collecting non-perishable food donations for “Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors”, an awesome local non-profit that assists local families in need. The most needed items currently include: cereal, healthy soups, granola bars, breakfast bars, kids snacks, tuna, boxed milk, brown rice, tomato sauce, mac and cheese, peanut butter, almond butter, canned fruit, toilet paper and paper towels (they are not in need of: jelly, beans or canned veggies).
The 1 mile loop has 291 ft elevation gain: 1/2 mile up the steep Lenape Trail and 1/2 mile down the switchbacks. Yup, that’s right! It’s the reverse of the 2018 event! Don’t expect any PRs at this race. 96.15% of the course is technical, rocky trails. 3.85% (0.04 miles) is pavement. The course will be marked. Start/finish at the Locus Grove Picnic Area. Take the Lenape Trail all the way up until you hit the Crest Drive Pavement. Turn LEFT and run along the pavement until you get to the American Flag. Run down the rocks and turn right to stay on Lenape (yellow). Make a left to head down the switchbacks all the way to the Locust Grove Picnic Area. There are portapottys at the trailhead parking lot.
This is a self-supported fat-ass event! No finishers’ swag, no aid stations and no whining (unless you don’t see Sasquatch, then you can whine a little). We will provide water at the start/finish (but this is a cupless event, so be sure to bring a water bottle, cup or hydration pack). BYO-fuel! Sharing is caring–don’t be sassy with your stash–bring extra to share with the rest of the Sassquad. If at any point you decide that you’re finished running and you do not want to go out for another loop please tell a volunteer so we know that you are no longer out on the course. We will have a race clock at the start/finish. 5K runners will record their finishing time on the board. 3 hr and 6hr runners will record loops completed every lap. **It is YOUR responsibility to update the board!** If you’re caught cheating, we will smash a banana on your head, tear your bib in half and leave you to fend for yourself when Sasquatch makes his appearance at the race.
This is a runner and hiker friendly event. The 6 hr and the 5K will start at 9AM on Saturday. Check-in for the 6 hr and 5K is from 7:30AM-8:30AM; all 6 hr and 5K runners must be checked-in by 8:30AM. If you are taking the train from NYC Penn Station to Locust Grove, please email us so we know that you will be arriving at 8AM.
The 3 hr runners will start at 12PM. Check-in for the 3 hr runners is from 10:30AM-11:30AM; all 3 hr runners must be checked-in by 11:30AM.
For the 3 hour and 6 hour events, if the timer ends before the runner completes the loop, the loop does not count.
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