Squatchapple - West Orange, NJ
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Squatchapple Trail Race
The Squatchapple is a trail running and hiking event held at the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, New Jersey. It offers four distances: an 11-mile, a 20-mile, a 50K, and a 50-mile race.
The course consists of three distinct trail loops that start and finish at the Tulip Springs/Boy Scout Area trailhead. Participants run combinations of these loops to complete their chosen distance. The loops are the 4-mile Turtleback Loop (Pink), the 5.5-mile Locust Grove Loop (Checkered), and the 7-mile Mayapple Loop (Blue). The terrain is a mix of hard-packed carriage roads and technical singletrack with rocks and roots. The event is known for potentially muddy, early spring conditions, earning it the nickname "The Slopapple."
Registration includes a bib, a finisher's medal, and access to an aid station at the start/finish area with water, hydration drink, and snacks. The event supports the South Mountain Conservancy, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving the reservation.
The event has a participant capacity and has sold out in previous years. Specific rules apply: the event is cupless, headlamps and charged cellphones are mandatory for anyone on course after 5 PM, and pacers are only allowed under certain conditions. Public transportation options are available via NJ Transit bus or train, with a walk required from the stop. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
