Event Information
Tussey Mountainback Race Weekend consists of several events for an inspiring and memorable
weekend experience! (See below for a complete schedule.) The weekend begins with our Pre-race
Dinner on Friday, 10/25. Saturday 10/26 features our 2024 USA National Championships Elite Panel,
a free event for all runners and the general public. Saturday evening will see the start of the
inaugural Tussey Mountainback Hundred Miler, featuring two circuits of our signature 50-mile loop
on the scenic and mostly unpaved roads of Rothrock State Forest. Sunday 10/27 brings several
events for the big and small appetite, including the 25 th running of the Tussey Mountainback 50
Miler, the 3 rd running of the Tussey Mountainback 50K, the 1 st running of the Tussey Mountainback
Half Marathon, and the 1 st running of the Tussey Mountainback Kids’ 1-Mile Run.
All proceeds and your generous donations support the Centre Region Down Syndrome Society, a
hands-on organization that provides individuals with Down syndrome and their families the tools,
resources and support necessary to participate in, contribute to, and achieve personal health and
fulfillment. CRDSS serves families throughout the central PA region, with a majority in Centre
County. Their services are focused on health enhancement, social connection, family support, and
advocacy.
All of the races start and finish at Tussey Mountain Ski and Family Fun Center, just south of
Boalsburg on state route 322, whose address is 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA 16827. The
race location is easily accessed by air (University Park Airport) and interstate (I-80 and I-99). Visit our
Accommodations page for suggestions on where to stay.
Start Time / Planning Your Day
Friday, 10/25/24
Tussey Mountainback Pre-race Dinner (6:30–8:00pm) with featured speaker Connie Gardner, 11 time National Champion and 2-time winner of the Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Ultramarathon. 6:30–8:00 p.m., Wyndham Garden State College, 310 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg, PA. Seating is limited, reservations required, $35 a person or $350 to reserve a table for ten. Reserve your seat when registering.
Tussey Mountainback Check-In and Packet Pickup (5:00–8:00pm), required for all runners and relay teams. 5:00–8:00 p.m. Wyndham Garden State College, 310 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg, PA.
Tussey Mountainback Raffle Ticket Sales (5:00–8:00pm), Wyndham Garden State College, 310 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg, PA. Winners will be drawn on Sunday at 5:00pm at the post-race celebration.
Tussey Mountainback Ultramarathoner Drop Bags and USATF Memberships (5:00–8:00pm), Wyndham Garden State College, 310 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg, PA.
Saturday, 10/26/24
Tussey Mountainback National Championships Elite Panel (5:00–6:15pm), Tussey Mountain Ski Lodge, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA. Free. Open to the public.
Tussey Mountainback 100 Mile Ultramarathon (starts 6:30pm), Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA. Finish time: Sunday, no later than 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, 10/27/24
2024 USA 50 Mile Road Championships: Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Ultramarathon (starts 7:00am), Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA. Finish time: no later than 7 p.m.
Tussey Mountainback 50 Kilometer Ultramarathon (starts 7:30am), Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA. Finish time: no later than 7 p.m.
Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Relay (first wave starts 8:00am), Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA. There will be a staggered start for the relay based on overall team pace. Because the relay start includes several waves, runners participating in the relay should plan to have the whole day available. We regret that we cannot plan the start based on personal schedules. Finish time: no later than 7 p.m.
Tussey Mountainback Half Marathon (starts 10:00am), Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA.
Tussey Mountainback Kids’ Mile Run (starts 10:15am), Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA.
Format
The 2024 races will be run in the counterclockwise (traditional) course direction. The 50-mile/100-
mile course is a USATF-certified, 50-mile loop on mostly unpaved fire roads through central
Pennsylvania's scenic Rothrock State Forest during peak foliage season. Ultramarathons: Support
vehicle and drop bag options. Stocked, staffed aid stations available to all ultra participants are
provided at predetermined locations every 2.9 to 5.6 miles along the course. Team Relay: The 50M
relay course consists of 12 pre-determined legs of lengths varying from 2.9 to 5.6 miles. Relay teams
select and provide a specific runner rotation order, rotating to the next runner at each transition
point, and maintain that same order through all 12 race legs. ALL teams must provide ONE team
vehicle to transport runners to transition points where the batons are exchanged. No exceptions.
Course
The races take place on mostly unpaved roads (the 50M loop is 82% dirt, 18% paved) in Rothrock
State Forest. The terrain includes uphill, level, and downhill grades, with shaded and open segments
and some overlook vistas. The 50M loop course takes in Whipple Dam State Park, Alan Seeger
Natural Area, Penn Roosevelt State Park, Colyer Lake, and Bear Meadows Natural Area. Total
Elevation Gain: 5,485 ft.
Event's current local time: 6:11 PM ET
