Overview
The Connecticut Ultra Traverse (CUT) is a point to point trail running event with three options: 112 Miles, or 50 Mile. The #CUT112 is a 112 mile trail running event following the Blue Blazes of the New England Trail (NET) from the MA-CT border to the Long Island Sound in Guilford, CT starting at 8:00AM on Friday May 31, 2024 .
The #CUT50 is a 50 mile trail running event following the Blue Blazes of the New England Trail (NET) from MUT's End at the Berlin Turnpike to the Long Island Sound in Guilford, CT starting at Sunrise 5:18AM on Saturday June 1st 2024 Following the Mattabesset and Menucatuck trails which is the last part (rear end) of the CUT 112 course.
The Challenge of the #CUT112 is to run down through the entire State of Connecticut from the MA Border to Long Island Sound in Guilford without stopping to sleep. Although we will help coordinate aid and your crews on the course, ultimately all runners are expected to provide or arrange for their own safety and support, and to respect the landowners along the trail. The #CUT112 is not so much a race, and does not have Permits. Although it has never happened, runners may be required to leave the course if asked by land owners or law enforcement, RD will be asking each runner about their support plan in advance of race date. If your are too flaky, don't communicate or are annoying AF, the RD reserves the right to fill your spot with someone else who is not gonna duck everything up. We love you and want you to do well, but need to live our own lives too. These blue blaze trails are all maintained by Connecticut Forest and Parks Association and this run is being done to help raise funds to help support the trails we love and this great organization. 100% of the $112 or $100 entry fee will be donated to CFPA. We will not issue refunds for any reason, unless you are not accepted based on lack of experience, so think hard before entering. Eventually this event may, or may not grow to become a more traditional race. Runners may choose to run socially distanced together or race, and try to set a new FKT. There are no formal prizes, but we always have awesome entry swag and finishers buckles for the 112 mile folks and other high quality mementos provided by Ragged Cuts.
Support
We will provide spreadsheets and guidance, but you need to have a dedicated crew to act as a rolling aid station for you and your gear. They will meet you at the road crossings with your gear, and tell you good jokes as they watch you devour junk food. They may even help post bail if you get arrested for loitering or disturbing the peace. We will work out the details on our face book page after we know exactly who will be running. Finishing times are typically between 30 and 45 hours, so do not plan on driving home.
Donate to the Trails
The CUT112 is a fun razor, and we are donating 100% of the $112 entry to Connecticut Forest & Parks Association. All other costs will be absorbed by Cultra Trail Running, LLC and our sponsors. There are no refunds.
The Course
This route strings together some of the best trail running in Connecticut including Suffield Mountain, Peak Mountain, Hatchet Hill, Wilcox Park, Penwood State Park (Traprock 50k), Heublein Tower, MDC Reservoirs, Rattlesnake Mountain, Pinnacle Rock, Crescent Lake, Ragged Mountain (Run Ragged), Castle Craig, Lamentation Mountain, Chauncey Peak, Mount Higby, Powder Ridge, Tri-Mountain State Park, Bluff Head (Bimblers Bluff 50k) , Cockaponset State Forest, East River Preserve, and the Guilford Point waterfront. The Course is not marked except by the blue blazes of Connecticut Forest and Parks. Runners need to navigate themselves and know the route. All roads are open to traffic, so runners need to be cautious. The route will be changed slightly every year as the trail changes, but stay on the Blue Blazes. Also do not forget to make the right hand turn onto the Menuncatuck Trail in Guilford, or you will end up in Middletown not Guilford. https://www.strava.com/activities/1032755139
Caution
Please know that this is not an easy course, as over the last 7 years many of the experienced field DNF'd. The traprock ridges of Connecticut will test the feet and ankles with miles of challenging technical singletrack. Runners must be experienced at traveling on trails at night, and will need to be well versed in following the blue blazes of the New England Trail. This course has at least 16,722” Ft of Vertical gain and is pure Beast coast. And even has 2 elevators! Road sections are open to traffic, so runners and crews need to be cautious and need to bring reflective gear. This will likely take you in excess of 30 hours. Runners will be asked about their past trail ultra experiences to support a finish time of the CUT112 in 45 hours or less. This run is intended to be done without stopping to sleep. The intent is to complete the CUT112 in one effort. RD reserves the right to deny entry to anyone for any reason. This applies to both routes. Be very thorough in answering your past experience questions.
Event's current local time: 10:15 AM ET
