Catoctin Trail Run

Description:

In 2016 the Half Cat was added and it’s purpose is to get our old school running buddies back out on the trail. It’s half the distance of the 50k. It starts at the Manor Parking Area in Cunningham State Park at 9:00. You arrive at the 50k like everyone else. After the Cat starts we take you by car to the Half Cat start line at the Manor Aid Station. This is an exclusive race which you must qualify for. Qualifications are: (1) You must be an ultra running veteran and this is not your first trail race. (2) You, for whatever reason, struggle with cutoffs. (3) Must be 52 years of age or older. No AARP discounts. Finally, If, after I review your stats on UltraSignup and see you’re still kicking it at the longer distances then we’ll talk and you’ll be “bumped” up the full 50k. We wouldn’t want you to take advantage of the other Half Cat’ers now would we?

Rick and Nancy Hamilton conceived and held the first run on Saturday March 5, 1994. The first run was considered a “fun” run with no “official” race results retained or distributed. In 1995 and 1996 it was run as an “official” race. During those two years there was also a 30k race for those unable or unwilling to run the full 50k distance (this option is no longer available). For those three years the course was a point-to-point, which started at Chestnut Picnic Area in Catoctin Mountain Park and ended at High Knob in Gambrill State Park. Due to logistics and remodeling of the Tea Room and time commitment for the Hamilton’s the race was cancelled in 1997 and 1998. After intense negotiations between Ric Hamilton and Kevin Sayers (current race director) the race was revived on Saturday March 13, 1999. That same year a second race was held in August when the race date was permanently moved from the frigid month of March to the hot, humid and intolerable month of August. It has subsequently been moved to the last Saturday in July.