Race Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
The Camden Hills of Maine are where the mountains meet the sea – and you’ll experience both in the only races to take place in the iconic Camden Hills State Park. The Wicked Tough 10 is a 10K race that will test even the most accomplished runner on steep singletrack with 1600 feet of vertical gain. The new Halfast 20k takes place mainly on wide gravel trail, a great introductory race for those new to trail running or for experienced racers who want to test their speed. The Megunticook 50, is a 50K that is formidable and will traverse over 90% of the trails in the park. All afford a great and intimate taste of this unique area of the country.
Rising 1385 feet above sea level, Mount Megunticook is the second highest mountain (by 175’) along the Atlantic Coast and offers stunning views of Penobscot Bay and out to the open ocean. Both races are among the most challenging in their category but offer the opportunity to experience this unique area is a very special way. Entries are limited.
Rugged Beauty and Trails to Conquer
The Midcoast area of Maine is home to charming coastal villages, pastoral farmlands and the rugged beauty of the Camden Hills. The park consists of over 5700 acres and has over 30 miles of trails. From deep, northern New England forest to rocky and exposed mountaintops, the trails traverse some of the most beautiful scenery to be found. Known as the only place on the east coast where the mountains meet the sea, the rugged mountains rise up with stunning views overlooking Penobscot bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Come join us for three tough races to test your endurance and drive while enjoying some of the most picturesque views Maine has to offer.
History of the Races
The Megunticook 50k and Wicked Tough 10 were established in 2020 by David Hirschfield who set out to create a world class ultramarathon that would attract top racers from around the country and around the world. The grueling 50k course stands out from other races as it is a one way course that covers almost every trail in Camden Hills State Park with very little overlap. This is a stunning setting where the mountains rise directly beside the Atlantic ocean allowing for pristine ocean views and rugged terrain. In 2022, David passed these races onto the non-profit One Community Many Voices. OCMC directed the race in 2022 but due to unforeseen circumstances they could not continue. This left the race without a director in 2023.
When I heard that the future of this event was in jeopardy I decided to step in and take over. I have participated in this event every year that it has happened. As an ultrarunner and active member of our local trail running community, I take a lot of pride in having a race like this in our state park. I also routinely host running retreats in these mountains through my company, Adventures in Wellness, and have seen first-hand the joy they can bring to others.
I’m excited to take David’s vision and grow it. I want this festival to not only be a destination race for ultra runners but also a race where locals come out to race, cheer, volunteer or just spend a day in Camden Hills State Park.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to be involved in any way. I look forward to seeing all of you on the start line!
Thank you,
Ramona
Race Director
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Fun Race
Great race. Course was muddy from all of the recent rain, but we were warned of this at the pre-race meeting, so I was prepared to get really muddy! It … MORE
Great race. Course was muddy from all of the recent rain, but we were warned of this at the pre-race meeting, so I was prepared to get really muddy! It was a really nice day with low humidity. The volunteers did an awesome job and everyone was really friendly. They were very helpful at some of the more confusing turns/intersections. Loved all the people who were cheering the runners on along the course. Aid stations were well placed. There were some beautiful overlooks that I wanted to stop at, but I was 🐎!
Great race. Very challenging terrain.
Somewhat tricky to navigate with the trail markers provided. Out and backs were marked with same colored ribbon on both sides and some trail signs were turned around out of … MORE
Somewhat tricky to navigate with the trail markers provided. Out and backs were marked with same colored ribbon on both sides and some trail signs were turned around out of the vision of on coming runners. I wasn’t the only one confused by the out and back markers.
Aid stations had simple snacks not like other ultras I’ve done with seasoned potatoes, grilled cheese sandwiches, bacon, and many other fueling delights.
Very nice volunteers, amazing vistas, and challenging rocky, rooting ,muddy,terrain.
I have the lactic acid to remember it by
This race truly has it all, from challenging terrain to breathtaking views, spectacular support, and runners with great energy. You’ll be left both wishing you boogied a little faster to … MORE
This race truly has it all, from challenging terrain to breathtaking views, spectacular support, and runners with great energy. You’ll be left both wishing you boogied a little faster to catch the next person in your age group and regretting not slowing down more to take in the views. TL; DR: I’d recommend this race in a heartbeat to anyone looking for a serious challenge with huge rewards. Hope to be back next year!
The trails range from wide gravel/ cinder with gentle (and not so gentle) hills, to technical and rooty with steep climbs and treacherous descents, to sunny rocky outcroppings. The elevation gain is not to be taken lightly (though if you really build it up in your head to impossibly difficult and all directly up the side of a mountain the way I did, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how “gentle” parts of the course actually are).
The other runners were what made this race unforgettable to me. So many kind folks who were ready to lend a hand if you were in a rough patch, chat and get to know you, and guide you in the right direction through the tricky route.
When they say study the map, they mean study the map! The trails were painstakingly marked with tags, there were cones at nearly all the turns, and kind folks pointing the way at the really tricky spots. But despite all of that it was entirely possible to get turned around and off route if you didn’t have a pretty decent understanding of where you were meant to be. Study the map well or stick to a local like glue 😉
The supporters had a lot of love for the locals they knew and plenty of extra energy and cowbells for the folks from out of town. Thanks to everyone who cheered us on.
The organizers and volunteers were incredible. Both hyping you up and telling you looked great but also looking you in the eyes to make sure you were actually feeling as “fantastic!” as you claimed.
Aid stations had plenty of goodies: “real” food (like peanut butter crackers, bananas, and a special shoutout to the PB&Js at the Maiden Cliff aid station), “fake” food (gels, electrolytes to add to your water), and sweets (m&ms, starbursts).
Thank you so much to everyone involved in making this race so spectacular, I had an absolute blast!
Hurt So Good!
This was my first ultra and they weren’t kidding when they said it was tough! I was literally cursing out loud as I kept climbing fr what seemed like an … MORE
This was my first ultra and they weren’t kidding when they said it was tough! I was literally cursing out loud as I kept climbing fr what seemed like an eternity. That being said, the difficulty made me feel all that more accomplished. And the views! Oh, mountains overlooking the ocean, how can you beat it? The trails were well marked and the volunteers were wonderful. And we got the coolest picnic blankets as swag! Just can’t say enough about this race!
Spectacular views on great trails
Spectacular views on well-maintained trails. This one-and-only race in the Camden Hills State Park is a must. Megunticook had all the elements I look for in an endurance event. There … MORE
Spectacular views on well-maintained trails. This one-and-only race in the Camden Hills State Park is a must.
Megunticook had all the elements I look for in an endurance event. There was a nice mix in the terrain and you got the chance to explore all parts of the park, leaving no stone unturned. The out and back sections offered opportunities to see other runners, cheer them on and feel the camaraderie. The aid stations were well-placed and at regular intervals throughout the race.
I was worried the night before about encountering a wet and slippy course, but even with the recent deluge, the trails were easy to navigate. Volunteers were strategically placed at important turns and turnarounds so I wasn’t left to guess. I would say that flagging was a bit sparse and I would recommend brighter colored tape in addition to actual flags on the ground so you don’t have to look up to know you’re on course. The race director had warned that there was a supply shortage on electrolyte mix and to pack your own, so I was pleasantly surprised to find electrolyte options at the aid stations along with other yummy snacks. I like to invest my money in good causes and I was happy to know that my race fee went to to the Coastal Mountain Search and Rescue that supported runners during the event as well as to the Camden Hills State Park that hosted.
Regarding travel logistics, a number of my friends camped in the park the night before, making it an easy roll-out-of-bed to the start line. I also talked to out-of-staters who planned to visit Acadia with their family after the event, incorporating the race into a fun vacation itinerary. I treated myself to a post-race feast near the Belfast waterfront, so don’t narrow your options to Camden venues that might be full on a Saturday night.
Liked the race. Very little running tho
Not much running. Would have preferred pie plates with arrows pointing directions, different colors for the two distances. Up arrow=straight ahead,L/R arrows for turns. MORE
Not much running. Would have preferred pie plates with arrows pointing directions, different colors for the two distances. Up arrow=straight ahead,L/R arrows for turns.
Beautiful, well organized race
This was a tough one - lots of elevation and mud (I'm told the mud is not always there, we'll have to see next year). Very well organized and marked. … MORE
This was a tough one – lots of elevation and mud (I’m told the mud is not always there, we’ll have to see next year). Very well organized and marked. Great group of people running and volunteering. Great little Maine tourist town for an after race lobster roll. Great views from the two peaks I hit on the 10k.