Experience the Sandy Creek Trail in Venango County, PA. The trail was developed from 2000 to 2005 when the former Franklin and Clearfield Railroad was converted to the now 12-mile paved trail. It is considered by many runners and cyclists to be the most scenic rail trail in Western Pennsylvania. …
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Experience the Sandy Creek Trail in Venango County, PA. The trail was developed from 2000 to 2005 when the former Franklin and Clearfield Railroad was converted to the now 12-mile paved trail. It is considered by many runners and cyclists to be the most scenic rail trail in Western Pennsylvania. The race course begins and ends at the Belmar Bridge, a 1385 foot long bridge spanning the Allegheny River. The out-and-back course is relatively level and entirely paved except for the 8 wood-boarded bridges along the length of the course. There is also a nearly 300-meter long tunnel along the course.
The Belmar Bridge is the most breathtaking feature of the Sandy Creek Trail. At 1385 feet long, this wooden deck bridge crosses the Allegheny River and offers sweeping views of the river valley.
Not only does this trail feature bridges, but it has a tunnel as well – the Deep Valley Tunnel, that is. This tunnel is another focal point of the trail and is 967 feet long. Ten percent of your race registration fee supports the Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA), a volunteer, non-profit organization that continues to maintain and develop recreational trails throughout the Oil Heritage Region of Pennsylvania.
Portable restrooms will be placed near the start/finish area and along the course.
Aid Stations with refreshments and first aid kits will be available along the course.
Race Parking will be available along Belmar Acres Road.
Awards
Awards will be given to the Top 3 Overall Male and Female Open & Masters Finishers as well as the top 3 male and female finishers in the following age groups: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+. There will be no in-person award ceremony due to Covid-19. All awards will be mailed. A virtual awards ceremony will be posted on YouTube in the week following the event.
Course
Out & back on the flat, paved Sandy Creek Trail. Course Time Limit 3.5 hours (16:01 min/mile). Attainable by walking or running.
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Very Scenic Run
This race course follows a rails-to-trails path and crosses several bridges. The bridge surface can be quite slippery, so be careful about your footing on the bridges. Also, there is … MORE
This race course follows a rails-to-trails path and crosses several bridges.
The bridge surface can be quite slippery, so be careful about your footing on the bridges. Also, there is a tunnel that the runners go through twice (once on the way out, and again on the way back); it is a long and dark tunnel, a headlight might be helpful.
Beautiful Race!
This is run on a "rails to trails" trail and is a very pretty course. It is a slight uphill to the turn around then a lovely slight downhill finish. … MORE
This is run on a “rails to trails” trail and is a very pretty course. It is a slight uphill to the turn around then a lovely slight downhill finish. The pre-race communications could have been better but the actual race was run quite well with very supportive volunteers. Full size candy bar at the finish was a plus 🙂 Since Covid is still around there was no awards ceremony and no after party but a great getaway weekend to knock out another state. If you need a lot of crowd support this is not for you but if you want some peaceful running through the woods (paved trail) then I recommend this race.