Maine’s got some BIG BAD ULTRAMARATHONS: races with single-track trails, big hills, and gnarly terrain. Trail Monster Running is proud to present the annual Big Brad Ultras on the trails of Bradbury Mountain State Park and the surrounding area.
Get ready for a beautiful challenge. Runners start each 16.2 mile loop with a gauntlet of great Maine singletrack, then journey over Tryon Mountain, Chandler Brook, and back into Bradbury Mountain State Park. The course has tough hills, rocks, roots, and very little flat including a1/2 mile of paved road and 1/4 mile of dirt road. With the fall foliage at it’s peak, there are sure to be many fantastic vistas along the route. Be sure to check out the website for a more detailed description, including a slideshow of the course!
The 50 Mile Punisher entrants will run a short loop (just over 1 miles) of Bradbury Mountain and then complete 3 laps of the 16.2 mile course. Consider the 50K Pounder as a still ambitious alternative – 2 laps of the same 16.2 mile course. The courses themselves are tough, but there are also strict cutoffs: 12.5 hours for the Punisher, 9.0 hours for the Pounder. Headlamps will be required at the 50 mile start.
There are 4 aid stations in each loop, with the longest distance between aid stations about 6.5 miles. Drop bags may be left at the start/finish area.
The Punisher – 50 Miles
Start: 6:00 AM
Cut-off: 12.5 hours
The Pounder – 50 kilometers
Start: 9:00 AM
Cut-off: 9 hours
50k runners will complete 2 laps of the 16.2 mile course, 50 mile runners will complete a 1.1 mile lap of Bradbury Mountain followed by 3 laps of the 16.2 mile course. (Please note that some parts of the race course as detailed above are provisional and are pending review from the State of Maine, any required changes are likely to be minimal.)
50 mile elevation: 7,500′ gain (equal loss)
50 km elevation: 4,500′ gain (equal loss)
The race course is primarily single-track trails over hilly, technical terrain. There is approximately 1/2 mile of paved road and 1/4 mile of dirt road on the 16.2 mile course.
50 mile runners will be starting before sunrise and will be required to run with a headlamp or flashlight for at least the first few miles.
Runners will pass 4 aid stations in each 16.2 mile loop, with about 6.3 miles being the longest distance between aid. Drop bags may be left at the start/finish area aid stations.
You’ve got options! A little worried about the 50 mile cut-off? Don’t let that hold you back. Remember we do have a drop down option. Anytime after you have completed 2 big loops, you will have earned yourself a Pounder finisher’s hoodie (of course, there will be a DNF in the Punisher). Also, there is the option of having a pacer for your final loop of the 50 miler. Pounder or Punisher, both Big Brad Ultras!
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