Squatchung Surprise

Join us at the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, New Jersey for THE SQUATCHUNG SURPRISE! Inspired by legendary RD Sherpa John’s TommyKnocker Ultra in Golden, Colorado, the Squatchung Surprise will test your endurance, speed and mental fortitude as your fate on the course is determined by the luck of the draw.

There are 4 different trail loops and a bucket of golf balls that match the color of each loop. Runners will reach into the bucket and pull out a golf ball to determine which loop they will run. The 3 hr and 6 hr runners will repeat this process after every loop until 2PM.

Along with the 4 colored golf balls that correspond to the 4 different loops, there will also be a black golf ball. The black golf ball = “runner’s choice”. The runner gets to choose whichever loop he/she wants to complete.

Check-in will be at The Loop Pavilion (located next to the snack stand and restrooms). All runners will start/finish every loop in the clearing next to the Pavilion Parking Lot. There are 4 loops that vary in distance between 2 miles – 6 miles. Each loop will have a distinct color that corresponds to the golf balls in the bucket. Everyone is guaranteed to run a different course as each runners’ fate is determined by the luck of the draw! Runners will experience varied terrain on each of the loops; technical singletracks to easy doublewide trails. All runners will get to enjoy the scenic views around Lake Surprise.

At 2PM, runners will have to make a game-time decision! Take a chance and continue drawing golf balls OR wait until 2:30PM for the 1/2 mile mini-loop to open up. Runners have to choose one or the other! If you decide to continue drawing golf balls, you cannot go on the mini 1/2 mile loop. This means that if you get the long loop and are unable to complete it in the time remaining, that loop will not count towards your final mileage. If you draw a shorter loop and you finish with time remaining, you can continue tempting fate and drawing golf balls with the time remaining. “You get what you get, so don’t get upset!” Any loop not completed before the timer ends, will not count.

If you decide to run the mini 1/2 loop, you must wait until 2:30PM before you can begin racking up those 1/2 miles. Any loop not completed before the timer ends, will not count.