Event Description

Come join the CT Trailmixers and Southington YMCA Camp Sloper for the fifth annual Spring Fling 600 trail ultramarathon on Saturday May 8 starting at 8:00 am ET. We’re back after taking last year off!

This year, we’re offering both in-person and virtual options.

--100 spots will be available for the in-person race at YMCA Camp Sloper on a first-come, first-served basis.
--If you prefer to run on your own virtually, that’s totally fine too!

Total registration across both races will be capped at 200.

HOW IT WORKS

The idea is simple: Run as many loops as you’d like of a roughly three-mile trail course as long as you're done within 600 minutes (10 hours). You’re not required to run ultra distance — at least 27 miles (or nine loops) — although many people will. Whether you want to try your first three-mile trail race, or go for 50 or more miles, this event is for you.

VIRTUAL RACE

Same idea, just on your own. Find a trail or road loop course somewhere and see how far you can run in ten hours. You must run your virtual race anytime between Saturday May 1 and Sunday May 9, and submit proof of your distance and time afterwards.

RACING AND COVID-19: EXPECTATIONS

As with everything else in our lives, we are making changes to ensure your health and safety during the pandemic. We’ll adhere to all federal, state, and local guidelines. We’ll keep an eye on any changes and communicate updates with registered runners closer to the race. While we’re still working out the details, here are some things you can expect.

--We will adhere to all federal, state, and local guidelines.
--Be aware of any travel restrictions and quarantine guidelines, both for Connecticut and your own state. https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/travel
--We hope to provide some limited hydration and light snacks, but just in case, plan to bring your own food and hydration.
--There will not be any race-day registration.
--All participants must wear a mask at the start and finish, and if you’re passing others throughout the day.
--Practice physical distancing throughout the day.

LOCATION

YMCA Camp Sloper
1000 East St, Southington, CT 06489

START TIMES / SCHEDULE

7:45 am: Pre-race briefing
8:00 am: Race begins.
6:00 pm: Race ends.

REGISTRATION FEES

Online pre-registration only for both the in-person and virtual race: $30 for members, $50 for non-members. Registration closes April 23. There is no race-day registration.

Your credit card will not be charged until closer to race day, in the (hopefully unlikely) event that we need to cancel the race for pandemic-related reasons.

MEMBERSHIP

Interested in becoming a member of the CT Trailmixers? $20 a year gets you a $20 discount off the Spring Fling and many of our other races, and a discount on gear. To become a member, register at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/2020-ct-trailmixers-membership-registration.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is a roughly three-mile loop around the grounds of YMCA Camp Sloper. It's run mostly on single-track wooded trails, but includes some grass and dirt road sections with rolling hills throughout. Parts of the course are covered with rocks and roots, while other sections are smoother. You’ll experience a wide variety of terrain and scenery. The course will be marked with flags and ribbons.

CHIP TIMING

The race will be timed, and your laps will be counted, using chip timing. You can check your lap counts on a large monitor that will be on display at the start/finish area. We will likely implement a wave start to encourage physical distancing.

Only laps completed within the 600 minutes will count. If you finish your last lap and it’s past 6:00 pm, it won’t count.

The course will start and finish at the main pavilion at Camp Sloper. When you’re done with racing, please tell the volunteers so we know you’re leaving the course. You can take breaks during the day and rejoin the race whenever you like.

PRIZES

All participants will get a CT Trailmixers-branded gift and a finisher’s medal upon completing their race.

Additionally, we’ll recognize the top male and female who complete the most full loops in the shortest time within 10 hours (600 minutes). If more than one runner completes the same longest distance, the winner will be the runner who finishes that distance first. Separate prizes will be awarded for both the in-person and virtual races.

RACE PROCEEDS

Race proceeds will go to a variety of local organizations, including the Southington YMCA and the Connecticut Forest & Parks Association. They will also go to the CT Trailmixers Shoe Scholarship Program, which gives free shoes to kids in need who want to run cross-country or track in school.

WEATHER

Connecticut weather in early May can be cool and rainy or sunny and warm. The Spring Fling has historically been a wet and muddy affair, so come prepared. Pay attention to the forecast.

ABOUT THE CTTRAILMIXERS

The CT Trailmixers are a trail running club based in central Connecticut. Our members are passionate about sharing Connecticut’s many wonderful trails with friends and visitors, and the trails at Camp Sloper offer a wide variety of beautiful terrain with varying difficulty levels. For more information on the CT Trailmixers, visit www.cttrailmixers.com. And special thanks to the Southington Community YMCA for their partnership!

Event's current local time: 6:12 AM ET