Algonquin 50K

The Algonquin 50K is a pancake-flat, fast, fun trail ultramarathon on the Eastern Shores of Maryland. Its unique terrain and amazing support makes it a must-run race on The East Coast. Join us in February and be ready to outrun The Goatman!

The Algonquin 50K is the longest 50K on the Eastern Shore. At least that is what the Race Dictator says. The inaugural race in 2017 was an epic race! There was a lot of sand, sweat, water and briars. Everyone was racing to either beat the competition or beat the clock before the finish. The runners, the volunteers, and the sponsors all made this race a huge success. I could go on for chapters, but you have to run it to get a glimpse of what you missed if you weren’t there from the start.

The race was first inspired by our infamous Race Dictator, Trent Swanson and his friends Chris Demone and Brian Swift. A group from the Pemberton Running Club (PRC), on a freezing cold day in February of 2016 ran in the Pocomoke State Park. They discovered beautiful trails, water crossings, and areas of soft Delmarvous sand. The Algonquin 50K takes you through the main vein of it all.

The course is an out and back with a loop in the middle to break the course up. The course is a mix of single and double track. A few short roads and a lovely stretch of sand that will make you wonder what is wrong with the creators of this race. You can thank them afterwards.

So what are you waiting for, an engraved invitation? Go sign up and start training!

The Course will be a modified out and back, the middle portion will be different going up and returning. This course is 95% trails. Some of the trails are single track and some are wider horse trails. It is completely flat, which should make for a relatively fast 50k. There are a few miles that are sandy and some points there might be water covering the trail. The race will begin and end at Milburn Landing area of The Pocomoke River State Park.

There will be well-stocked aid stations every five to six miles with water, electrolyte drink, soda, boiled potatoes, something sweet and something salty.

Be prepared for cold, rain, snow, mud and possible frozen conditions. There will be a few road crossings, be aware. Most crossings will have volunteers and the traffic is minimal to nonexistent in the area during February. Horses will follow the last runners to ensure a safe return to the finish line.

There is no rain date. We will run in the rain, snow, and sleet. Only a “force majeure” which makes EMS, Aid stations and support staff unable to function will be cause for cancellation. In the event of a cancellation, no refunds or credits will be applied to future events.

The Algonquin 50k is a community-based, eco-friendly, volunteer supported, non-profit event whose mission is to promote, maintain, increase trails on Delmarva. We work closely with Maryland Parks and Maryland Forest to provide a safe, fun, exciting race.