The Howland’s Neck Ache Ultramarathon will be held on the Howland Preserve in the Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The race will include a 6,12 & 24 hour option which will allow runners to finish as many loops of the wooded 3 mile course within the time limit.
All runners will begin at 7AM on Saturday. The 6 hour race will finish at 1pm on Saturday. The 12 hour race will finish at 7PM Saturday and the 24 hour will finish at 7AM Sunday.
Howland’s preserve is located on the Vosburg Neck, an oxbow in the mighty Susquehanna River. The 669 acre property includes 8 miles of multi-use trails as well as river access. The course will be a 3 mile loop with about 445 feet of elevation gain. Each loop will begin at the barn on the property and head across the road. The trail starts as a mowed grass path before it heads into the woods on beautifully cared for single track trails. At around 1/3 of a mile, the trail will begin a consistent incline for the next mile. At the highest point, there will be an overlook where you can see hundreds of feet down to the river. The trail will begin to descend through the woods, including some switchbacks, as you head back to the start line. With about 1/4 left to go, you’ll come back to Vosburg Road and run along the side of the road back to the barn. You’ll enter the front of the barn where the timing devices will be located and complete your lap! After exiting the barn, you’ll be able to freely access aid and your crew.
Aid & Crew Access
An aid station located at the start/finish line will provide the traditional ultramarathon fare throughout the entirety of the race. After completing each lap, you’ll be able to exit the barn and access the crew area where there will be enough space for runners to setup chairs or even tents. After fueling back up, you’ll head back to the barn and begin your next loop.
Timing & Total Distance
We’ll be counting your laps and posting real-time results on a board at the start line and social media so that you can keep track of how many loops each runner has completed. Only complete laps within the time limit will be counted. Partial laps will not be included in total distance.
Prizes & Awards
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top overall male and female finisher for the 12 & 24 hour options at $7.00 per complete LAP. Example, if the female with the longest distance at 24 hours completes 36 laps, she would receive $252! Other fun prizes will be given out during the race to the first person to complete a marathon, 50K, 100K, and 100 miles. (You can only win one of these sub prizes each!)
Benefit for the Preserve
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Howland’s Preserve and runners will be allowed the opportunity to add a donation along with their registration.
The property was donated to North Branch Land Trust by the late Ernest E. Howland in 2006. With a growing need for volunteer assistance, the Friends of Howland Preserve was created in 2013 to support The North Branch Land Trust’s mission and maintain, grow and love their magical property.
LESS
