Kilkenny Ridge Race

Kilkenny Ridge Race

Kilkenny Ridge Race is a trail event held at South Pond Recreational Area in Stark, New Hampshire, offering three distances:

• 50 Mile course following the Kilkenny Ridge Trail end to end, about 15,000 ft total gain
• 25 Mile course along the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, about 7,580 ft gain
• 25K course from York Pond to Route 2, about 4,048 ft gain

All courses follow the Kilkenny Ridge Trail on remote ridgelines and forested sections. The 25 and 50 mile routes each gain roughly 7,500 ft per direction and the 50 mile course includes a turnaround at the Jefferson Inn. Courses are unmarked on race day; organizers provide GPS tracks and maps at bib pickup and recommend studying them in advance.

Aid stations include backcountry locations such as Willard Notch and Unknown Pond with limited supplies; turnaround and finish aids provide fuller food and drinks. Mandatory gear is checked at bib pickup and includes water, minimum calories, a windbreaker or rain shell, a space blanket, a headlamp with spare batteries, winter hat and gloves, and a water filter. Crews may access the Jefferson Inn and the South Pond finish but are not permitted at some trailheads. Pacers are not allowed. Qualifications vary by distance and require prior mountain trail experience and recent long trail finishes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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