Steel City Human and Horse Endurance Festival
A three day festival celebrating time spent in the woods whether on foot or on hoof. Each day will feature a unique sport that combines trail running/hiking and horseback riding. Join for one day or stay for all three. Located at Hillman State Park near Pittsburgh PA and all events include free primitive camping Thursday-Sunday. Volunteer one day for a discount on another event (stay tuned for details).
Fri July 30 Hillman Ride and Fly: Ride & Tie
Teams of two people and one horse work together to complete the course by leapfrogging each other, trading off running and riding.
Sat July 31 Steel City Human vs Horse: equestrian endurance ride and trail running race
Participants enter as individuals and either run/hike or ride.
Sun Aug 1 Hillman Ride & Fly: Equathon
Relay race with first loop on horseback, second loop on foot. Team (one person rides, one person runs) or iron (same person rides and runs) divisions. Partner matching available.
Steel City Human vs Horse
Who is faster – human or horse? It’s anyone’s race at the Steel City Human vs Horse!
Modeled after similar race formats in the UK and Arizona, this is a simultaneous trail running race and horseback endurance race with runners and riders sharing the trails.
Distances for both runners and riders: Half Marathon (13 mile intro ride), 50k (30 mile limited distance LD), 50M
For runners there will also be a 50M relay.
Hikers welcome in the half and 50k distances.
This is a trail race and will be a mix of single track, gravel road, and grassy meadow. Runners, no experience with horses is necessary. All runners and riders will be required to attend a pre-race safety meeting to discuss trail etiquette.
The equestrian race is sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and will follow all AERC rules.
Free primitive camping will be available for horses and human Thurs-Sun in a large, flat open field.
2026 Rider briefing
2026 Runner briefing
Questions? Contact us at pghrunandride@gmail.com
Course
50k: 18 mile loop, 13 mile loop
50M: 18 mile loop, 13 mile loop, 18 mile loop
2027 routes coming soon, will be similar to the 2026 routes. Aid stations every 5-7 miles
2026 18 mile loop
2026 13 mile loop
50M Runner Relay
New for this year we are adding a 50M relay option for runners! Teams of 2-5 runners. Exchanges will be allowed after each loop and halfway through the 18 mile loop at an aid station, exact location and distances TBD. Limited to 10 teams to manage traffic on course.
Leg 1/4: 8-10
Leg 2/5: 8-10
Leg 3: 13
Time Limit
All participants must be off the course by 8:30pm (sunset).
Runners
50 miles: 14 hours
50k: 13 hours
Half Marathon: 8 hours
These cutoffs mean that both the Half Marathon and 50k are hiker friendly!
Riders: Cutoffs follow AERC rules
50 Miles: 12 hours
50K/31 miles: 7:15 hours
Intro/Half Marathon: 8 hours
Refund Policy
Late Fee
A late fee of $25 will apply to entries received after July 11 (included in the UltraSignup pricing).
Cancellations
Full refund less processing fees until July 11
Full refund less $50 and processing fees for ride expenses until July 24
No refunds after July 24
No refund for no shows
Switching Distances
You are welcome to switch distances.
If you switch from a shorter to a longer distance, you will pay the fee difference.
If you switch from a longer to a shorter distance before July 1, the difference will be refunded less processing fees. If you switch after July 1, no refund for the price difference.
All requests to switch distances must be received by July 27.
Bib Transfer
Bib transfers and horse changes are free and allowed until July 27.
Weather
This event is rain or shine, there will be no refunds due to poor weather conditions. If trail conditions are dangerous or would damage the trails, we will reroute to gravel roads.
Pregnancy and Postpartum
Please email pghrunandride@gmail.com if you need to cancel your race registration due to pregnancy or postpartum needs. We will refund your race entry and save you a spot on the starting line next year!
Notes for Horse Riders
Non AERC members riding in the 50K (30 mile LD) or 50M must pay a $20 one-day membership. Purchase one day membership with ride entry or join online at https://aerc.org/compete/join-aerc/. No membership required for the Intro ride (Half Marathon).
Entry is not complete without current coggins.
Vet in will be available Fri afternoon and Sat morning, timing TBD.
This is "min frills" ride. We will have finisher prizes, podium awards and snacks at Aid Stations, but no full dinners or breakfast.
Event's current local time: 7:15 PM ET
