The Squatchy Surprise
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Squatchy Surprise
The Squatchy Surprise is a timed trail event at South Mountain Reservation in South Orange, New Jersey on July 24, 2027. The event runs in three formats: 12H, 6H, and 3H, and is capped at 250 participants across all formats. The event supports the charity partner Bigger Than The Trail (BTTT).
The course is organized as four distinct loops. Before each loop, participants draw a colored golf ball from a bucket to determine which loop they will run; a black golf ball allows the participant to choose any loop. Participants repeat the draw after every loop until their event time ends. Any loop not completed before the timer ends does not count. One optional Charity-Mulligan is available for a cash donation; proceeds are used for additional donations to BTTT.
Terrain mixes hard-packed carriage roads and technical singletrack with rocks and roots. Specific loop lengths published as GPX files include:
- 2.0 mile yellow loop
- 2.25 mile checkered loop
- 4.0 mile blue loop
- 4.5 mile pink loop
Squatch HQ at the Start/Finish is the only aid station on course and provides hydration, a variety of food (including gluten-free and vegan options on request), a first aid kit and AED, portable toilets including an ADA unit, private changing tents, and a quiet Jackalope Tent. Skratch supplies hydration at the aid station. Adaptive athletes may have guides or pacers race free; pre-registration for pacers/guides is required. Public transit access is via NJ Transit to Maplewood Station plus a 1.2 mile walk. Crew access is limited to Squatch HQ only. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
