Steep Rock Trail Series

Just a little over an hour from the northern suburbs of NYC, in the northwest hills of Connecticut lies one of the best kept secrets in trail running around! If you are ready for a new challenge of some awesome trails, then the Steep Rock Trail Series brought to you by Steep Endurance is for you! In cooperation with the Steep Rock Association, the Steep Rock Trail Series gives runners a chance to experience the idyllic trails of the Steep Rock Preserves in Washington, CT. Each preserve and race offer its own sweeping viewpoints, lush forest single track trails and hillsides, babbling brooks and streams, old rail beds, rural landscapes, and of course the ever present New England fall foliage. With each subsequent race, runners will progress from a 10K up to a Half Marathon.

Steep Rock 10K: Sunday, September 29, 2019
Hidden Valley 15K: Sunday, November 3, 2019
Steep Rock Half Marathon: Sunday, November 17, 2019

About the Event

In the first race of the series, the Steep Rock 10K, runners will get to experience the largest of the three preserves, with its amazing mix of single track, rail trails, and technical trails on the east side of the Shepaug River.

Registration

Registration starts on Monday, April 1 for all 3 races in the series.

**Runners can sign up for all 3 (10K, 15K, Half Marathon) at a discounted price for the trail series! Please see registration link above or go to the ultrasignup links below!

Steep Rock 10K
Hidden Valley 15K
Steep Rock Half Marathon

T-shirts will be offered to the first 100 pre-registered runners in the 10K before September 20. Additional Shirts can be purchased for $20. Please see event store link above.

The following non-profits will benefit from the Steep Rock Trail Series:
Steep Rock Association, Families United in Newtown, Washington Ambulance Association, and Washington Volunteer Fire Department.

Refund Policy: There will no refunds and/or no transfers of your registration or bib to any other person. Entry fees collected are used to develop and produce the event, starting well in advance of the race date--including course preparation, race supplies, permits, and administration.

Course Description

The first race in the Steep Rock Trail Series, the Steep Rock 10K starts near the entrance to the preserve where runners will begin with about 2 miles of flat terrain on Tunnel Rd., before entering the Steep Rock Tunnel. After exiting the tunnel, runners continue straight until a couple of quick left turns to enter the southern end of the preserve. A long grinding climb up to the high point of the course at the top of the Pinney Loop Trail. A beautiful descent through the fern lined trail and then it’s back onto the rail trail. A couple of quick up and downs with the last one a gentle descent on Spring Hill Rd. After crossing the new Spring Hill Bridge, runners re-enter the trail to work their way up to the Holiday House on their left. A quick left down a somewhat technical descent and runners are in the home stretch along the river, through the parking lot and to the finish at the horse corral. This course is starts off easy in the first few miles, but is very challenging in the last ⅔ of the course with several climbs on the awesome flowy and sometimes technical singletrack trails of the Steep Rock Preserve.

Awards

Each race in the Steep Rock Trail Series will offer awards in the following age groups for both men and women:
Overall, 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and up.

Special “Steep Rock Trail Series” awards will be given for series winners in the following categories:
Overall Male/Female (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), Masters Male/Female (1st).

Specially designed awards will also be given to any participant who signs up for IN ADVANCE and RUNS in each of the three Steep Rock Trail Series events.

Post Race Celebration

You’ve just finished a super challenging course! Enjoy your accomplishment, sit back, relax, and don’t forget to cheer on all the runners coming in behind you! We will have the usual spread including bagels, bananas, pizza, non-alcoholic hydration options. **There is no alcohol permitted in any of the Steep Rock Association Preserves.

Additional Info

For more info, please go to www.steependurance.com/steep-rock-trail-series-2019

Event's current local time: 10:26 PM ET