Mayapple Trail Runs

Description:

SMR Mayapple Trail Runs

Runners are invited to register for the 16th Mayapple Trail Runs to be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in beautiful South Mountain Reservation in Essex County, N.J.  The races are organized by the volunteers of the South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) with the support of the Essex County Parks Department.

Race Details

The USA Track and Field sanctioned races provide an informal but supportive trail race environment for runners who are up to the challenge of completing our 10 or 20-mile distances, or an ultra-marathon route of 50 kilometers (31 miles), 40 and 50 miles. Again, we are offering a East-West 5-Mile Loop.  We are also continuing the more informal, untimed 1-mile race for children 12 and under.  The starting times are: 50 and 50K races, 8:30 a.m.; 20, 10 and  5-mile races, 9:30 a.m.; and the 1-mile Kids Race, 10:00 a.m.  All races will end at 9:30 p.m. EDT, 13 hours after the 8:30 start. (Sunset is at 8:08 p.m.) Races take place rain or shine, and over the years we have had  extreme examples of both!Course Description

All races start at the Locust Grove picnic area in the South Mountain Reservation (197 Glen Ave., Millburn).  The course for the 10 through 50-mile distances all consist of a 10.5-mile East Loop and 10.2-mile West Loop through the forested 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation. (The 5-Mile race, is almost exactly five miles.) Following along the valley floor and the two ridges, the course includes long stretches of double-wide gravel roads, technically challenging, meandering single-track hiking trails with roots and rocks, and (on the east loop) three, quarter-mile stretches of pavement and a water crossing. It is a good combination of level paths, rolling hills, moderate climbs, and a few very steep ascents. The east and west loops total approximately 1,500 feet of ascent. Aid stations are located approximately every five miles on the east and west loops.  Our races are timed using a chip system courtesy of Sassquad Trail Running.