Welcome to the Kingwood Ultras

Kingwood Ultras turns a short loop into a full-on trail adventure. Instead of disappearing deep into the mountains, you stay connected to the heart of the event: a two-mile circuit where woods, fields, wooden bridges, and cool stream crossings keep each lap scenic while Base Camp is never far away.

That is the real draw here. The course is built for runners who want the challenge of ultra distances without the stress of being far from their gear, crew, food, or shelter. Every loop brings you back to your own camp setup, the main aid station, and a race atmosphere that feels equal parts endurance event and weekend trail retreat.

Who this race is for? This race is a strong fit for runners who like the idea of a simple, repeatable course and an all-day trail camp atmosphere instead of remote point-to-point logistics. Newer trail runners should expect roots, rocks, small stream crossings, and steady climbing, but they will also get the comfort of returning to the same fully stocked base camp every two miles.

Course Description

The course is a two-mile loop at Horseshoe Bend Park, about three miles from Frenchtown, New Jersey. It winds through forest and open field, crosses small streams, and includes quaint wooden bridges that give the route a distinctive, memorable feel.

Underfoot, runners should expect a quasi-technical trail with roots and rocks that reward attention and make trail shoes the smart choice. The short-loop format keeps things approachable, but it is not flat or effortless: each lap includes about 300 feet of elevation gain, which adds up quickly over longer distances and timed efforts.

That climbing is part of the race’s personality. On paper, it is “just” a two-mile loop; in practice, it becomes a surprisingly honest test of pacing, durability, and mental focus. The repeated return to familiar terrain can help newer runners settle in, while experienced runners can use the loop to manage effort, fueling, and rest with precision.

At night, the course remains clearly marked with glow sticks and reflective ribbons, and mileage markers appear every quarter mile. That setup makes the route feel more manageable for overnight runners, especially those trying a first long timed event or first 100-mile effort.

Aid Stations & Support

Kingwood keeps support simple: one central Base Camp aid station that runners see every two miles. That means less guesswork about when your next refill is coming and more opportunities to adjust layers, charge devices, grab food, or reset mentally before heading back out.

The aid station goes well beyond basic fuel. In addition to standard ultra fare like fruit, cookies, candy, chips, PB&J, potatoes, water, sports drink, and soda, runners can expect gourmet breakfast, lunch, and dinner service throughout the weekend. Each runner also gets a 10' x 10' Base Camp space right along the course, with nearby parking and access to porta-potties; limited indoor-style sleeping cots are available first come, first served for overnight rest.

Runner Experience

This race leans hard into the “camp ultra” vibe. You are not just showing up to run; you are moving into a temporary trail village where runners, crews, family, and staff share the same central hub. That creates a more social, less isolated experience than many ultras, especially for first-timers who want the reassurance of seeing people, supplies, and familiar faces every lap.

The handcrafted awards reinforce that local, personal feel. Finishers receive one-of-a-kind wood-based awards made from species found on the course, and longer-distance milestone finishers can earn handcrafted buckles using reclaimed wood from the race setting itself. It is a detail that makes the event feel rooted in place rather than generic.

Practical Details

• Camping opens Thursday at 4:00 PM.
• Check-in and bib pickup begins 2 hours before each race start.
• 48 Hour Race Start: Friday at 12:00 PM.
• 100 Mile Race Start: Friday at 12:00 PM. 100 Mile cutoff: Sunday at 12:00 PM.
• 24 Hour Race Start: Saturday at 12:00 PM.
• 50 Mile Race Start: Saturday at 7:00 AM.
• 12 Hour Race Start: Saturday at 7:00 AM.
• 6 Hour Race Start: Saturday at 7:00 AM.
• 10K Race Start Option 1: Saturday at 10:00 AM. Cutoff: 1:00 PM.
• 10K Race Start Option 2: Sunday at 1:00 PM. Cutoff: 4:00 PM.
• All runners, crew, and campers must be out of the park by Sunday at 6:00 PM.
• Parking is close to camp, generally within a few hundred feet.
• This is a cup-free race, so runners need to bring their own bottle, cup, or hydration pack.

Awards

All Kingwood Ultra race finishers will receive one of a kind hand made finishers awards which encoperates various species of wood from the actual race course. 100 Mile, 100 Mile+ and 150 Mile+ finishers will each receive handcrafted belt buckles also utilizing wood reclaimed from the race course. Each one different...Oak, Cedar, Walnut and Ash...Maybe an odd ball Hickory or Beech for good measure.

Hourly race runners (6hr, 12hr, 24hr and 48hr) who complete more than 26.2, 50k, 50 mile,100K and 100 miles will receive an awards for the maximum one of those distances that they completed. 10K finishers all receive their own unique award.

All registered runners also receive a Kingwood Ultra T-Shirt

Charity Partner

We're excited and grateful to be able to give back to the good folks at the Friends of Horseshoe Bend Park who work to keep the beautiful trails clear and accessible. A portion of race registration fees will go towards supporting these good folks and the work they do..

About Spirit Trips

Spirit Trips puts races in places worth going. Not just scenic backdrops — actual landscapes with history, character, and something to protect.

Every Spirit Trips race is built around a trail or place that earns your attention. The kind of places you'd want to spend a weekend in even if there wasn't a race. A portion of every registration goes to the nonprofits keeping these trails open and intact — because the course is only as good as the land it runs through.

Spirit Trips races are built for people who want more than a finisher medal — although we still give you a pretty damn good and unique one!

Visit Spirit-Trips.com for more info.

Event's current local time: 8:48 PM ET