IMPORTANT CHANGES for 2024
Two important changes have been put in place for 2024:
1. There is a cutoff of 11:00 a.m. for Aid Station 2, Sharp Top Vista for both the 25k and 50k. This gives participants 3 hours to traverse the first 8.4 miles of the course. Anyone arriving at AS2 after 11 a.m. will be given a ride back to the start/finish.
2. Each entry will be given a ticket for their post-race meal, no additional ticket will be necessary. Additional meal tickets (for the entry if one wishes to have more than one meal, family, friends etc.) may be purchased for $5 each during the checkout process. With the remote location of the race, we need to have an accurate count to ensure we have plenty of food for each participant, volunteer, and spectator.
About the Course
The Sharp Top 25k and 50k are part of the Rocksylvania Trail Series for 2024.
Sharp Top 25k and 50k races utilize the Old Loggers Path in northern Lycoming County. The Old Loggers Path is a 27-mile loop with its trail head in the ghost town of Masten, Pa. The 50k utilizes the entirety of the Old Loggers path with additional trails to bring the race to the 50k mark. Elevation is 4700 ft and the course is almost entirely trail. The highlight of the course is the namesake of the race, the Sharp Top Vista. At 2080 ft above sea level, be sure to take some time at the aid station and take in the extensive view southward over the Allegheny Plateau.
The 25k course follows the 50k course on the Old Loggers Path, but will split to make a shorter loop ending at Masten while still affording participants the opportunity to experience Sharp Top. In addition to experiencing Sharp Top Vista and several other scenic views participants will enjoy sections of the course that allow for amazing views of Pleasant Stream, Long Run, Doe Run and Rock Run throughout the course. You will be crossing Pleasant Stream and your feet will most likely get wet!
The Start/Finish
The race headquarters and start/finish will be located in the ghost town of Masten. Yes, a true ghost town. Please don’t expect to have cell service. This race is completely off the grid with no electricity or running water available. While this adds complexity to the race, we are very thorough in our planning and will have adequate facilities and potable water along with a great post-race party.
Accessing the Start/Finish (AKA Masten):
There are several ways to access Masten. Those traveling from the south, Rt. 87 headed north out of Montoursville or Rt. 15 to Rt 14 out of Williamsport are both viable options. Please note that those traveling from Rt. 14 will turn onto Pleasant Stream Rd. In two miles, you will veer left onto Masten Rd. This portion of the road has been reconstructed due to flooding and still may show as Pleasant Stream on some GPS/maps. Those coming from the north will have the best access from Rt. 14 to Grover Rd. to Ellenton Mountain Rd. There is plenty of parking at Masten, however parking is in a mowed field so plan accordingly. This is not a sports car friendly race! Regardless of which direction you travel to Masten, you will be on dirt roads for several miles and will not have cell service.
We will be sending detailed directions to those who register for the race as race day approaches.
Accommodations
Primitive camping is available in Masten. We reserve all of the primitive sites and handle the reservations on a first-come-first-serve basis based on size of vehicle and tenting. There is no charge for camping. Overflow tent camping is available in a large field. Please be mindful, this area is not a larger RV/travel trailer accessible area. There is no water, electric or sewer, so please plan accordingly. Squarewood Acres Campground is located 8.5 miles from Masten at the junction of Rt. 14 and Pleasant Stream Rd and has a variety of sites available including full hook-up sites. We encourage those interested in bringing travel trailers and RV's to reserve a site at Squarewood Acres and make the short drive up Pleasant Stream to Masten for the event. Information about Squarewood Acres can be found here. https://squarewoodacrescampground.com/
There appear to be several Airbnb rentals within 30 minutes of Masten, however please book at your own risk. We are not endorsing them for the race, just letting you know they exist. Major hotel chains of all varieties can be found in Williamsport, 45 minutes from the race start/finish.
Time Cutoffs
**NEW** Aid Station #2 Sharp Top Vista (Mile 8.4): All participants (25k and 50k) must make Sharp Top Vista by 11:00 a.m. (3 hours after start).
Aid Station #3 (Mile 13.31) 4hrs 30 min
**Those not making AS3 by 12:30 p.m. (4h 30min after start) will be diverted to the 25k course and record a 25k finish.
Aid Station #4 (Mile 22.1) 7hrs 30 min
**Those not making AS4 by 3:30 p.m. (7.5 hrs after start) will be pulled from the course.
Finish – (Mile 31.1) 6:30 p.m. (10.5 hrs after start)
Local History
This area of Pennsylvania is steeped in logging history and Masten was once a bustling community of over 300 people that sprung up as a result of this once booming industry in 1905. It thrived until 1930 when most of the valuable timber had been harvested and the last resident left in 1941. The residents of Masten harvested mostly Eastern Hemlock necessary for tanning leather and the abundant hardwoods. In addition, there was also a clothespin factory on site producing 2 railroad cars of pins a day. The timber was transported on two narrow gauge railroad lines, which now are partly incorporated into the Old Loggers Path. Masten became the site of CCC Camp #S-80 and was responsible for forest restoration and the hemlock farm the at the start-finish. Currently, Masten serves as the official trail head of the Old Loggers Path and has plenty of camp sites within the former CCC camp footprint. The largest relic of CCC Camp is the large stone chimney that stands to this day. The course of Pleasant Stream has changed over the years eliminating most of the foundations of the homes that stretched for almost a mile along its banks, however some can still be found with some persistence.
Special Considerations
With the remote location we ask you consider the following to help us make this race a success:
• Have your directions ready before you head out if you are unfamiliar with the area. Plan on not having cell service long before you arrive at Masten.
• Every piece of trash must be transported out of the start/finish by the organizers. There is no trash pick-up by DCNR in Masten. Please do what is within our power to reduce trash.
• Every drop of water has to be transported to the start/finish and the aid stations. Please use potable water for drinking only.
• Not only is this race remote, but so are the aid stations. We will be providing great aid stations so please be sure to thank the volunteers who are willing make sure you have what you need throughout the day.
• Enjoy the beauty of Lycoming County. We are truly excited to share the Old Loggers Path with the trail community during this event! We wouldn’t be doing the race at this location if we didn’t think it would be worth it to the participants.
ReVibe Wild Runners & Kids 14 & Under
Sharp Top 25k is part of the ReVibe Wild Runners! ReVibe Wild Runners was created by two of the Co-RD's kids while our families were camping in October of 2022. They pitched their idea to Tania Jacobsen of Revibe Gear and she worked diligently to make this happen for our young trail athletes! ReVibe Wild Runners is free to join for all kids 17& under and allows them to earn tokens to be "cashed in" for gear. Check it out at https://www.revibewildrunners.org/
As families with young kids, we encourage kids to become active in trail running/hiking. Kids 14 & under are welcome to register for the 25k free of charge using the code TrailKids2024. Please note, you must register your child under "guest" unless they have an UltraSignup account. This code applies only to kids 14 and under wishing to complete the 25k distance.
**Please note, your child should be prepared to tackle almost 17 miles, 2500ft of elevation and a stream crossing. We have had children as young as 9 complete the 25k course, but this should not be your child's first exposure to the trails and hiking a long distance. If you are unsure of your child's ability, please register yourself and accompany your child for the day.
Photography
We are pleased to have Kyle Reynolds of KRNatural Photography as the the official race photographer. Be sure to check out his work at https://krnaturalphoto.com/about/
Refunds
This event is a rain or shine event. There will not be refunds or deferrals. There is no transferring of bibs.
Event's current local time: 3:40 PM ET
