The Squatchy Surprise
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About the race
The Squatchy Surprise is a trail party held at South Mountain Reservation in South Orange, New Jersey on July 24, 2027. The event offers three timed formats : 12-hour, 6-hour, and 3-hour : and uses four distinct trail loops. Before each loop, participants draw a colored golf ball from a bucket to determine which loop they will run or hike; a black golf ball allows the participant to choose any loop. One optional redraw called the Charity-Mulligan is available for a cash donation and supports the event charity partner, Bigger Than The Trail (BTTT).
Course terrain mixes wide, hard-packed carriage trails and technical singletrack with rocks and roots. Loop distances provided as GPX files include:
- 2.0 miles (yellow)
- 2.25 miles (checkered)
- 4.0 miles (blue)
- 4.5 miles (pink)
The event is capped at 250 participants across all formats. There is one central aid station at Squatch HQ (the start/finish area at Summit Field) with first aid supplies and an AED, hydration options including Skratch products, a selection of snacks and some hot food, and portable toilets including an ADA unit. Pacers or guides are allowed for participants age 60 and older and for athletes with disabilities; pacers must be pre-registered. Crew access is limited to Squatch HQ. The organizer notes that participants may stop at any time and that only loops completed before the event timer ends count toward final mileage. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
