If you enjoy challenges in the outdoors, Clinton County is the place to be. The area has become a mecca for trail runs that pit participants not so much against each other but against challenging terrain! More casual hikes are also available, as are bicycling events, triathlons, sport motorcycling, powerboat racing, golf tournaments, and more. The following is a sampling of the types of events offered!
February 12 - Frozen Snot Trail Race (13.5 miles & 8.3 miles)
119 Pine Mountain Rd., McElhattan. 7:30am (registration 6am). Over a mile of elevation gain. Brutal climbs. Worse descents. Held during the coldest week of the year. A trail race on Bald Eagle Mountain that combines some of the toughest terrain in central Pennsylvania. Both the long and short course start and end at the outdoor pavilion at Restless Oaks Restaurant.
March 12 - Fire on the Rocks 10K
Durty Dabbers Pavilion, McElhattan. 9am. This course utilizes local trails that are part of both the Frozen Snot and Boulder Beast races. Expect about 1,100 feet of climbing throughout the 6.5 miles. The event starts & finishes at the Durty Dabbers pavilion. Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs.
April 9 - Eagleton Trail Challenge (50K, 25K, 25K Ruck & 10K)
Sons of Italy Campground, 44 Sons Rd., Mill Hall. 8am. Trek through the scenic, historic Eagleton Mine Camp Trail in Sproul State Forest on one of three very runnable 10, 25 or 50K trails, each challenging in their own way, or take the ruck option on the 25K course, where participants compete with a weighted backpack in a test of strength, endurance and character. All of the distances follow a loop course and share the same first and last several miles.
April 23 - Hyner View Trail Challenge (25K & 50K)
Eagles Nest, 9582 Renovo Rd., Renovo. 8am. The 15th annual Hyner View Trail Challenge is a course set up to challenge each individual mentally and physically. There are three major climbs and three major descents over a course filled with vistas, stream crossings, and single-track paths. The HVTC 25K is part of the Rocksylvania Trail Series and the 50K is part of the PA Triple Crown of Mountain Running. Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs.
May 7 - Mountain of Hope Trail Challenge (5K & Half Marathon)
Amish School House, 511 Beagle Rd., Mill Hall. 5K starts at 9am; Half-Marathon at 9:30am. A challenging 5K course and a very technical half marathon course through the mountains of East Nittany Valley in Mill Hall. Proceeds benefit Sharing Hope Ministries disaster relief efforts. (570)263-6087.
May 8 - Keystone Challenge Kayak Race
Bald Eagle Boat Launch, Eagle Valley Rd., Mill Hall. The 11th annual race for canoers, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders. Three distances – 20, 5, and 2-mile loop courses to challenge the casual to professional paddler. Hosted by the Tiadaghton Elm Race Committee. (570)660-5085.
May 8 – Collins-Toboz Bridge to Bridge Run/Walk
9am start (registration at 7am). The first annual Collins and Toboz Bridge to Bridge Run is a 5-mile run/walk to honor two local heroes, the late David Collins and Stephen (Turbo) Toboz. The event takes participants from the David Collins Memorial Bridge in Mill Hall, down to the Stephen Toboz Bridge in Lock Haven. Proceeds benefit the planned upgrade to Veterans Park in Lock Haven. $40.
https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/MillHall/BridgeToBridgeRun
June 4 - Slate Run 25K
153 Yoder Lane, Slate Run. 9am. A 25K trail race through the remote and rugged mountains of Tiadaghton State Forest. The course takes runners through the Algerine Wild Area and Red Run sections of the Black Forest Trail that are full of technical single track, streams, and awesome vistas. Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs and part of the Rocksylvania Trail Series of races.
June 4 & 5 - Durty Dabbers Great Adventure & National Dual Sport
Castanea Picnic Grounds, 859 Lower Creek Rd., Lock Haven. Times TBD. ‘100 miles of bad road’ and some of the best scenic views as you ride through the mountains of central PA. For street legal bikes and motorcycle licensed riders only. Sponsored by the Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club. (570)748-9456.
June 18 - Sproul 10K
Western Clinton Sportsman's Association Clubhouse,161 Sportsman's Lane, North Bend. 10am. The 14th annual Sproul 10K, also known as the "Toughest 10K in PA.” Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs and part of the Rocksylvania Trail Series of races.
June 19 - Little Loggers Trails Fest
Western Clinton Sportsman's Association Clubhouse,161 Sportsman's Lane, North Bend. 10am. Designed just like the adult races, this trail run is for kids 12 and under, aimed at getting them outdoors and giving them an opportunity to try the sport of trail running. The course is about 2.75 miles with a few small hills to challenge participants. Food and family fun afterward. Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs and ReVibe Outdoors.
June 24 & 25 - Great Island Race Series
Lockport Boat Launch, Woodward Township. Mini-Triathlon is 6:30pm Friday; Great Island Adventure and Swim Triathlons start Saturday at 8am. The Lock Haven Rotary Club hosts this annual triathlon series, and all events are open to individuals as well as teams. Friday night’s Mini-Tri includes a 1K paddle, 5-mile pedal and 2K run. Saturday, the races include a 5K paddle on the Susquehanna River, a 14-mile pedal and 5K run on the levee Riverwalk, or you can swim a 750-yard course instead of paddle. (570)660-5657.
July 2 - Tiadaghton Elm Canoe/Kayak Classic
Start/finish from the Pine Access Boat Launch, River View Rd., McElhattan. The 58th annual, this race has both a 5 and a 2-mile loop course on the Susquehanna River. Sponsored by the Tiadaghton Elm Race Committee. (570)660-5085.
July 23 - Renovo Heritage Kayak/Canoe Poker Float
Route to be determined. A canoe/kayak paddle in the Renovo area, sponsored by the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park Association. (570)484-7000.
July 24 - Rattlesnake National Enduro
Quite Oaks Campground, 88 Quiet Oaks Lane, Cross Fork. 9am-4pm. The Rattlesnake National is the fifth in a 10-race series, part of the KENDA American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) National Enduro Championship Series. Sponsored by the Brandywine Enduro Riders. (610)883-7607.
August 6 - Central Mountains ATV Association Poker Run
9am-3pm (registration opens 8am). Departing from either Quiet Oaks Campground or the Potter County Family Campground at 9am, each ATV receives a map to ride on their own or in small groups between the two campgrounds. $800 in prize money. Ride rated: Easy.
August 27 - Hyner Half Trail Race
Hyner Run State Park, 86 Hyner Park Rd., North Bend. 8am. A 14-mile trail race in the heart of the PA Wilds. This course in Sproul State Forest includes of some of the Eastern States 100 course. A runner-only event with a strict 4.5-hour time limit. Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs.
September 10 & 11 - Durty Dabbers Vintage & Modern Mototrials
274 Reservoir Rd., McElhattan. Vintage motorcycle trials begin 12pm Saturday; modern bike mototrials at 11am Sunday. A motorcycle trials event in the woods of McElhattan where competitors ride over logs, rocks and other challenging obstacles. $20/rider. Spectators welcome. (570)726-6389.
September 24 - Boulder Beast Trail Challenge (24 Miler & 25K)
Castanea Fire Company Picnic Grounds, 859 Lower Creek Rd, Lock Haven. 7am. The course that started the trail racing craze in central PA! An approximate 24-mile course with about 6,000 feet of vertical gain. A shorter, 25K course is also offered for those not ready for 24 miles, but who still want to tackle the infamous boulder field. Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs.
October 22 - Little Pine 5 Miler
Little Pine State Park, 4205 Little Pine Creek Rd., Waterville. 10am. A beginner trail race that is suitable for runners/hikers of all ages and skill levels. Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs.
October 23 - Call of the Wilds Mountain Fest
Little Pine State Park, 4205 Little Pine Creek Rd., Waterville. 50K starts at 6am. 25K starts at 9am. Both courses use portions of the Mid State, Spiked Buck, Tiadaghton, Pesto, Panther Run and Torbert trails. Be prepared to take on some of the toughest terrain in PA with over 5,000 feet of vertical for the 25K and 8,000 for the 50K. Sponsored by the PA Trail Dogs.
November 6 - The View 25K
Western Clinton County Sportsman’s Club, 161 Sportsman’s Lane, North Bend. 9am. This trail race gives runners a chance to take on parts of the infamous Hyner Challenge course, but in the fall of the year. The course still takes participants up The View, Post Draft, SOB, and Huff Run. Hosted by the PA Trail Dogs.
Visit our Calendar of Events for more on what’s happening locally, or call us 570-748-5782
