About
The Hook Mountain Ultra began as a physical challenge, but has become an official running event sanctioned by USATF and organized by trail runners. In 2025 we had 15 starters, and 0 finishers due to time. Our goal is to organically grow the event while keeping the community group run vibes. This event is for the athlete who wants to test themselves at the 50 mile or marathon distance, needs a qualifier for another event, or is simply looking for an adventure close to home without breaking the bank. You are enough if you start, you are enough if you complete 1 loop or all 4, but only athletes who complete the full 50 mile or 25 mile courses will be listed as official finishers. We will continue to update this registration page with more information leading up to the run. If you have any questions, please email the race director: Phil Germakian at PGERMAKIAN@GMAIL.COM
Course Description
The Hook Mountain Ultra is a 50 mile trail race with approx. 9,600 feet of elevation gain! Our course is trail running heaven offering big climbs, exposed ridges, winding singletrack, scenic river views, runnable gravel, and steep descents! The 50 mile event is intended for experienced ultra runners. If you are new to ultrarunning, please consider our 25 mile Mountain Marathon!
The 50 mile course begins with 1/3 mile of road to spread out the field before entering the singletrack trail, followed by four consecutive 12.3 mile loops that gain ~ 2,400 feet of elevation per loop. The 25 mile marathon option has approx. 4,800 feet of elevation gain! It begins with the same 1/3 mile of road, followed by two consecutive 12.3 mile loops that gain ~ 2,400 feet of elevation per loop. Each loop starts and finishes where the Long Path Trail crosses Landing Road.
Starting from Rockland Lake State Park Parking Field #2, you exit the parking lot, and turn right onto Rockland Lake Road. Then make your first left onto Landing Road. Less than 200m down the road, turn left onto the Long Path Trail (Aqua Blaze).
Continue straight for 2.7 miles on the Long Path Trail moving up and down along the ridge. About 3 miles in you will turn right off the Long Path onto the Treason Trail (White Blaze) down to the river. This is a technical and steep 1/2 mile descent back down to the river trail. When this trail ends, turn left onto the gravel bike path, and continue less than a half-mile to AS#1 (Haverstraw TH). Leaving the Aid Station continue South 5 miles along the Hudson to AS#2 (Nyack Beach).
Leaving AS#2 turn right the Summit Trail (White Blaze), stay to the left at the first junction to continue up. After about 1 mile this trail ends, and make a sharp right turn back onto the Long Path Trail (Aqua Blaze), which you follow up to the summit of Hook Mountain, and down along the top of the Palisades ridge line. After 2.7 miles you will come off the ridge to AS#3 (Landing Road) where you began the loop.
Repeat this loop 3 more times for 50 Milers and 1 more time for Marathoners, then run back to the parking area where you started, and you are finished! Congratulations!
There is a 14 hour cut-off time, because the fun has to end sometime. This decision is to keep you safe, so nobody is out running ridges in the dark. If you don’t finish within 14 hours you will be counted as a DNF. 50 Milers will also have a 7-hour cut-off at half-way (~Mile 25.)
Aid Station
There will be 3 aid stations set-up on the 12.3 mile looping course that you will pass every 3.5 to 5 miles.
Aid Station #1 (Haverstraw TH) will be set-up 3.6 miles into the loop at the North end of the River Trail.
Aid Station #2 (Nyack Beach) will be set-up 8.6 miles into the loop (5 miles between Aid 1 & 2) at the junction of the River Trail and Summit Trail.
Aid Station #3 (Landing Road) will be set-up 12.3 miles into the loop (3.7 miles between Aid 2 & 3) where the Long Path Trail crosses the one and only road on course. This point marks the completion of one loop.
50 Milers will pass each aid station 4 times. Marathoners will pass each aid station 2 times.
All aid stations will be stocked with plain water, Skratch Hydration Mix, and Carbs Fuel (25g. Carb) gels.
Aid Station #3 will also have flat coke, and is the only crew accessible aid station.
All personal drop bags will be stored at Aid Station #3 as well, so you can access it at the completion of each loop. Please label your bag clearly with your name or race number.
Crewing: Allowed at Aid Station #3 Only, due to parking limitations. Please follow parking signs along Landing Road.
Poles: Allowed
Pacers: NOT Allowed
Parking
On Race Day, participants please park at Rockland Lake State Park, Parking Field #2. This will be our start & finish area as well.
Address:
271 Rockland Lake Rd.
Valley Cottage, NY 10989
Event's current local time: 10:04 PM ET
