Trail Golf Endurance Challenge
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Event Format
The Trail Golf Endurance Challenge is a trail running event with a unique scoring system based on golf. Participants run routes called "Holes," each approximately 3-4 miles long. Everyone starts a new Hole at the top of each hour. A runner's finish time for each Hole determines a stroke score (e.g., Eagle, Birdie, Par). The goal is to achieve the lowest cumulative stroke score over the event.
Distances and Course
The event offers two main distances:
- 50K: Comprises 9 Holes.
- 10-Miler: Comprises 3 Holes.
On average, each Hole has about 190 feet of elevation gain. The total elevation is approximately 1700 feet for the 50K and 500 feet for the 10-miler.
Rules and Support
All runners start each Hole at the designated "Tee Time." Runners are responsible for their own aid and must carry any needed hydration or fuel on the course, as no aid stations are provided. Water, Tailwind, and coffee are available for runners only at the start/finish area. Runners may set up a small tent (no larger than 10'x10') near the start/finish for themselves and their support crew, or "Caddies." Aid from a crew is only permitted in the area between finishing one Hole and starting the next.
Relay Option
Relay teams of 2 or 3 runners are available for both the 50K and 10-mile distances. Only one team member may be on the course at a time, and teams are not required to rotate runners in a set order or divide the Holes evenly.
Location and Awards
The event starts and finishes at the Trailyard Outpost on 2651 Clifford Rd in Valparaiso, Indiana. Every participant receives a custom finisher award. The top 3 male and female finishers and top teams with the lowest scores at each distance receive an additional podium award. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
