Race Where the Mountains Meet the Sea – Three Bold Trail Races In Camden, Maine 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 …
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Race Where the Mountains Meet the Sea – Three Bold Trail Races In Camden, Maine
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.
The Megunticook Trail Festival is held on the ancestral, unceded lands of the Wabanaki Nations (Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq). “Megunticook” means “great swells of the sea,” reflecting Indigenous naming of this landscape. We honor the enduring relationships between these Nations and this land, past and present, and pledge to support ongoing Indigenous self-determination, stewardship, and justice.
All Indigenous peoples, from Wabanaki Nations and beyond, are invited to run with us free of charge.
When you register for Megunticook Trail Festival you will have an opportunity to give back by donating to Niweskok, a Wabanaki-led organization that strengthens food sovereignty, healing, and community connections in the Penobscot Bay region.
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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.