The MuleSkinner Endurance Races takes place next to the Delaware River in Pa. & NJ along two of America’s most historic and scenic… and flat… canal towpaths. The races consist of a 26.2 Marathon Distance, 50K and 50 mile race distances. There will be food trucks and a small race expo with sponsors tents the day of the race.
Course History
Completed in 1832, the Delaware and Raritan Canals stretched from Easton Pa. to Trenton NJ. In its glory days, up to 3000 Mule powered barges plied the canals at any given time moving coal, lumber, stone and produce up to 35 miles a day. The mules would be cared for by Mule drivers or “MuleSkinners” who would walk besides the mules on Tow Paths next to the canals and feed and water the Mules. Fact… mules were chosen over horses for their stubbornness but also for their intelligence. MuleSkinners knew that unlike a horse, a mule was more likely to pace itself and not overheat or work until exhausted. Hint Hint Runners.
Details/Course Description
The MuleSkinner series of endurance races are all a single loop course and all start in Tinicum Park Erwina, Pa. and follow the gravel towpath south, crossing over the Delaware river at different bridges into New Jersey and then following the Raritan Canal towpath north in New Jersey to Frenchtown before crossing back into Pa and finishing back at Tinicum Park.
Distance Options
26.2 Mile Marathon
50K
50 Mile
Aid stations are spaced approx. 4-7 miles apart and will have water, fruit, cookies, pretzels, water, Gatorade, Coke/Mountain Dew and other standard aid station fare with a few surprise treats thrown in.
Muleskinner is a cup free race! Please bring your own water bottle, hydration pack, reusable cup, etc.
Our goal is to leave no evidence of our presence on the course other than our footprints. Please carry all waste with you and drop it off at aid stations.
Porta Potties will be located at several locations on the course.
Awards
All runners finishing within the allotted finish times will receive a custom MuleSkinner Medal for their distance completed and a MuleSkinner tech running shirt. Top 3 Women and Men finishers will receive separate special awards.
Last finisher of the 50 mile race who finishes within the allotted time frame will be presented with the coveted Stubborn Mule Award. Medals and top three finishers’ awards will be awarded as runners complete their races.
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