Description:

SUBSTITUTE SINGLE SQUATCH
Storytime: traditionally we have our two-day Double Squatch trail party the second weekend in March at Stokes State Forest…. Unfortunately, the NJ State Parks are not currently issuing permits for events, so we are going with Plan B and hosting this new “substitute” single day event! Join us at the Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah, NJ on Sunday March 14, 2021 for the “Substitute Single Squatch”! Come squatch 5.5 miles or 11 miles with us! We are proudly supporting our friends at the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference with this event! As always, our trail parties are open to runners and hikers of all ages and paces!

RACE DETAILS
In order to comply with the current NJ Executive Order for outdoor gathering limits, we are doing four waves of 25 runners/hikers. Check out the various start times and check-in times below. All runners/hikers need to park in the main parking lot for the Ramapo Reservation and walk over to the NYNJTC Headquarters, where the start/finish and check-in area is. Please allow a few minutes to walk from the parking lot to the Trail Conference Headquarters. After you finish the race, please grab some snacks from the aid station and then head out to your cars, so we can avoid any large group congregating at the finish line.

***Remember, this is daylights saving weekend! Please set your clocks appropriately!!***
10am 11 miler: check-in between 9:30am-9:45am
10:30am 5.5 miler: check-in between 10:05am-10:20am
11am 11 miler: check-in between 10:35am-10:50am
11:30am 5.5 miler: check-in between 11:15am-11:20am
**In the event that Governor Murphy increase the outdoor gathering limitations, we will consolidate start times. We will communicate any changes with you via email and by updating this registration page.

Our course sweepers will begin sweeping the course at 2:30PM. Since the course is a “lollipop” they will leave the beginning/end trail marked and start taking down ribbons where the lollipop splits. We encourage runners/hikers who do not think they can stay on track with this timeline to register for the earlier waves.

All runners/hikers will take home a handcrafted wood medal as well as a swag item from the Squatch Shop (choice of buff, mug, car magnet, hat etc). The top 3 male and female runners will receive a handcrafted wood award from the Squatch Shop, as well as some delicious baked goods from the shop of one of our club members, Charlotte Aschoff, “Good Eats By Char”.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The race will start/finish at the New York New Jersey Trail Conference Headquarters. All runners/hikers need to park at in the main parking lot for the Reservation and then walk over to HQ using the footpath. We will have a large flag at the start of the footpath so you know which way to go. The race course is a 5.5 mile loop. 5.5 milers will complete the loop once and 11 milers will complete the loop twice. The course has 900 feet of elevation gain – this is NOT a flat course! There is a 550 ft climb over from mile 1-1.9 – so be ready for that! You will be rewarded with some great views and the rest of the course has a few more rolling hills before descending back down. If there is still snow on the trail, please come into the race expecting your mileage to be slower than usual.

From the NYNJTC Headquarters, follow the singletrack trail to the start of the Yellow Trail that will lead you over the foot bridge. Bear right to go halfway around Scarlet Oak Pond (this is the same way our Onesiefest 5K loop goes). When you get halfway around the pond, you will turn right on the Yellow Trail. Here’s where the fun begins – get ready for the biggest climb of the loop. You will climb about 550 feet between mile 1 and 1.9 (woo hoo!). Your hard work will be rewarded with some awesome views along the Yellow Trail, specifically “Cactus Ledge” and “Ridge Overlook”. You will stay on the Yellow Trail until you hit MacMillan Reservoir. At this junction, turn right on the Pink Trail to go around the top of the Reservoir. Your next turn will be a right on the Red Trail. Follow the Red Trail until it ends at the opposite end of the Reservoir where you will make a right on the Blue Trail which then quickly joins the Yellow Trail. Turn right on the Yellow Trail and follow it all the way back to Scarlet Oak Pond and back over the footbridge, returning to the singletrack that will take you back to the NYNJTC Headquarters. Check out the elevation profile in the picture gallery above. You can view the 5.5 mile loop on Strava using this link: https://www.strava.com/routes/2795024771194215612

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
Our squatchtastic “Dream Team Extreme” has been tirelessly working out all of the details to make this trail party safe, fun and an all-around squatchy time. Here are the details you need to know before you register for this trail party!
– Waves are limited to 25 runners per wave start time.
– Although we do not anticipate this, in the event that the county pulls the permit, we will give all pre-registered runners/hikers a 100% credit to any 2021 Sassquad event. Please note, this means that we are not offering refunds on the non-refundable registration fee.
– Runners/hikers will use a mask during check-in, at the start of the race and at the aid station. All runners will need to carry a mask/buff with them and should use them anytime you cannot stay 6 feet apart from other people.
– Please come to the start/finish during your assigned check-in time (listed above). After the race ends and you gather your belongings and snacks from the aid station, please head back to the main parking lot so we can avoid any large gatherings at our race headquarters.

VIRTUAL OPTION
If you are unable to travel to the event or would prefer not to participate in-person, we have a virtual option for you! Get out to your favorite trail (or road, treadmill, backyard etc!) to complete the 5.5M or 11M! We will mail you the handcrafted wood medal shortly after you sign up for the event.

NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE
We are proud to partner with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference! We will make a donation to the Trail Conference after the event. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains, and protects public trails. Did you know that 400,000 volunteer hours over the past 5 years have gone into building and maintaining trails, monitoring invasive species, creating maps and guidebooks, and more? Yeah, that’s pretty squatchtastic! Trail Conference members can receive 10% off of registration; please email [email protected] for the discount code!

FAMILIES, MILITARY, VETERANS and NYNJTC MEMBERS
We want the WHOLE family to come out to our events! We have a special discount code for families registering 3 or more Squatches in the same household. Please email us at [email protected] before you register so we can give you the code! Sassquad Trail Running is proud to offer 20% off all events to all active duty military and Veterans and Frontline Workers. Must provide proof of service. Please email us at [email protected] before you register for an event so we can provide you with a discount code. NYNJ Trail Conference members can receive 10% off of registration; please email [email protected] for the discount code!