Rothrock Trail Challenge

• Date: June 07, 2009
• Address: , State College, Pennsylvania Get directions
• Country: United States
• Race type: Run (30k)
• Distances: Run (30.00 kms)
• Organization: YMCA of Centre County
• Website: http://www.rothrockchallenge.com
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Description: Course Description:
  
  Mile 0- 0.6 miles: Start out on a paved forest road that takes you into Rothrock State Forest Land. As much as we hate roads, this gives runners/hikers a chance to get spread out before the first climb.
  
  Mile 0.6- 3.8: First, climb the infamous Spruce Gap Trail. It’s a mile climb that will make hikers out of most runners. Expect a 17 minute mile pace going up. Once on top, you’ll get a short breather before heading down the Kettle Trail. Watch your speed because Kettle is steep and rocky. Kettle will bring you across a forest road and then take you up a short hill to the Tuxedo Trail. Tuxedo gives the legs a break as it winds down around the mountain to Water Station #1.
  
  Mile 3.8- 7.8: After fueling up, runners/hikers will follow North Meadows Rd to the Bear Meadows Loop Trail. This trail meandors through thick rodadendrons and through some wet terrain so be prepared for muddy and soggy feet. This 1.65 mile section is relatively flat and an excellent opportunity to gain some ground. Runners/hikers will then start the climb up the Sand Springs Path. This trail offers a gradual climb at first before getting steep towards the top. Legs will be burning here!! Once on top, runners/hikers will jump on the Mid State Trail for a nice mile jaunt over to the Keith Springs Trail. After passing the spring, runners will be led to one of the best downhill sections…Wildcat Gap. Wildcat is a steep, knee-jarring section that will use every once of energy in trying to stop your forward momentum. Quads will take a beating here (If you cramp up later, remember this section). Wildcat brings you out to a dirt road and to Water Station #2.
  
  Mile 7.8- 12.8: We apologize for the brief road section but it’s the only way to link the trails. Just put your head down and bear it. It’s only a half mile of dirt!! This will lead you to the Sand Spring Trail (not Path). It’s a brutal climb that brings you to the Mid State Trail overlooking Shingletown. Get ready for another steep descent as this trail taxes the quads once again. After leveling out, runners will take the Charcoal Flats Trail for the next 2 miles down into Shingletown Gap. This is where the event gets interesting. Once into the Gap, runners will pick their way through a slew of boulders and cliffs that will bring them out to Water Station #3.
  
  Mile 12.8- 15.8: After resting, stretching, and re-fueling, runners will then be challenged with another maze of boulders and cliffs on the north side of the mountain. Many runners will be forced to use their hands to crawl up this section. Be careful where you put your hands, though, this area attracts our little reptile friends that make that nasty rattle!!! Once on top, enjoy the ridge run over to Bald Knob. This trail is technical, but a nice break from the hills. Once to Bald Knob, runners will descend straight down the Clemons Trail, an old grassy logging trail that brings you out to Checkpoint #4.
  
  Mile 15.8- 18.6: The end is almost near. Bad news is that there is still one more climb left. The Shingletown Trail is a gradual climb that brings runners to the Tower Rd. Once there, you’ll have about 30 yards before descending down to the finish. Runners will follow an old logging trail called the Old Laurel Run Trail downhill for a mile to the Three Bridges Trail. This trail winds around and brings runners out to Spruce Gap, where they started earlier in the day. From here it's 3/4 of a mile back to the finish.
  
  Congratulations....you just completed the Rothrock Challenge!!!
• Members who are scheduled to race: