The Squatchy Surprise
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The Squatchy Surprise
The Squatchy Surprise is a trail running event on July 25, 2026 at South Mountain Reservation in South Orange, New Jersey. The event offers three timed formats: 12 hour, 6 hour, and 3 hour options with a total capacity capped at 250 participants.
The course uses four distinct loops. Before each loop runners draw a colored golf ball from a bucket to determine which loop they will run; a black ball allows the runner to choose their loop. One re-draw option called the Charity-Mulligan is available for a $20 cash donation, with 100 percent of those proceeds going to the event charity partner, Bigger Than The Trail.
Distances for the loops include:
- 2.0 miles (yellow)
- 2.25 miles (checkered)
- 4.0 miles (blue)
- 5.0 miles (pink)
Terrain is a mix of wide, hard-packed carriage roads and technical singletrack with rocks and roots. There is one very short paved stretch under 0.20 miles and two legal road crossings at stoplights. The event hub hosts the sole aid station for the race, equipped with a first aid kit and AED, a range of beverages and snacks, and several hot and gluten-free or vegan options on request.
Support and accessibility provisions include pacers for athletes over 60 and for athletes with disabilities, crew access at the event hub only, private changing tents, a quiet Jackalope Tent for sensory support and breastfeeding, and portable toilets including an ADA unit. Public transit access is available via NJ Transit to Maplewood Station plus a 1.2 mile walk. Additional accommodation and guide registration options are provided for adaptive athletes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
