Cancelled Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
The NJ Bear Hunt was just reinstated and will be taking place on the day of our scheduled event. We have been working with Wawayanda to troubleshoot this and see how we could reschedule. The problem is that the bear hunt runs from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. So even if we push the start time back, we don't have enough time to mark the course. We have looked at dates the following weekends but we don't want to conflict with other local events that have had their races on the calendar all year. All pre-registered runners/hikers can choose to receive a refund or apply their registration fee to any of our other Trail Parties.
SQUATCHAYANDA
It's about time. The weathaas finally turned. SWEATAA WEATHAA! SWEATAA WEATHAA! SWEATAA WEATHAA! Join us at the beautiful Wawayanda State Park in Hewitt, New Jersey on Saturday December 10, 2022 for an epic night of trail running under the full moon and stars! Come run or hike 8 miles or 4 miles with us. The December Squatchayanda is a UGLY SWEATER party! That's right, embrace the SWEATAA WEATHAA and bring your favorite ugly sweater. Ugliest sweater will take home a squatchtastic award! U.G.L.Y., you ain’t got no alibi, you’re ugly, hey hey, you’re ugly! We are proud to partner with Bigger Than The Trail (BTTT). for this trail party. BTTT is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that is using trail running as a platform to advocate for mental health. Please visit our website for the complete details on this race, course maps, gpx files etc!
RACE DETAILS
If you've never ventured out on the trail after dark, this is the perfect opportunity to jump into the Squatchtastic world of night trail running! Each runner will take home a unique finishers' item along with their handcrafted wood medal, and the top male and female finishers for each distance will receive a special award. We will have a squatchariffic post-race party around a bonfire with roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate (BYO-mug!).
When you get to the park, follow signs for "LAKE" and then "BOAT LAUNCH. The start/finish will be at the Boat Launch. Check-in will be open from 4:45PM-5:15PM. All runners will start at 5:30PM.. All runners are REQUIRED to have a headlamp and/or flashlight. Runners are strongly encouraged to bring an extra headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries. We will not have extra to give out and we cannot permit you to run if you do not have a light. If you fail to bring a headlamp, not only will you not be permitted to run, but you'll also have to answer to David S. Pumpkins. **This is a cupless event; please bring a water bottle/cup. And please bring a mug if you would like to enjoy some hot chocolate after the race
The race starts and finishes at the Boat Launch at Wawayanda State Park. You MUST enter the park at the main entrance. The physical address is 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ. Please look at your gps map first! If your phone wants to take you through the park via the auxilary entrance to Wawayanda Road - you will NOT be able to do this as that gate is closed. Ensure that your phone has you entering the park from Warwick Turnpike, not Wawayanda Road. When you enter the park, the office will be on your left. Follow signs for the LAKE and BOAT LAUNCH.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
There are restrooms at the "Boat Launch". The entire 4 mile course is runnable with very minimal technical terrain; there is 379 ft of gain and all of the trails are doublewide. Runners will start and finish at the Boat Launch parking lot and complete the counterclockwise loop one time for the 4 mile race and 2 times for the 8 mile race. 8 mile runners need to start their second loop by 6:45PM. If any 8 milers do not make it back to the start by 6:45pm, they will be dropped down to the 4 mile event.
Start on the Double Pond trail and make a hard left at the Historic Furnace. This is the only pavement stretch of the loop is about 3/4 of a mi. Cross over Wawayanda Road and bear left to get on Old Wawayanda Rd, which is a grass and packed gravel trail. Turn left on the "Old AT" trail that parallels the AT. Make a left on Iron Mountain Trail and take that all the way back to the Boat Launch parking lot. You will cross back over Wawayanda Road one more time to get to the parking lot. You can view the course map in the pictures gallery above!
BIGGER THAN THE TRAIL
We are proud to partner with Bigger Than The Trail (BTTT). BTTT is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that is using trail running as a platform to advocate for mental health. BTTT's mission is to enrich the lives of individuals struggling with mental health. Through their fundraising efforts, BTTT provides 3 months of free therapy to those in need! Please consider making a donation to BTTT when you register for this squatchy trail party.
FAMILIES, MILITARY, FRONTLINE & CLUB MEMBERS
We want the WHOLE family to come out to our events! We have a special discount code for families registering 3 or more Squatches in the same household. Please email trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com before you register so we can give you the code! Sassquad Trail Running is proud to offer 20% off all events to all active duty military and Veterans and Frontline Workers (Fire, EMS, Healthcare). Please email trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com before you register for an event so we can provide you with a discount code. NYNJ Trail Conference and South Mountain Conservancy members can receive 10% off of registration; please email us for the discount code!
FAQs
Q: I don't have a headlamp or a flashlight, will there be any extra at the race?
A: We will not have extra headlamps/flashlights and we will not have extra batteries. You gotta bring your own and make sure that it has fresh batteries.
Q: What happens if I get to the race and find out that my headlamp and/or flashlight is dead?
A: So sorry, but we can't let you run without a headlamp... We suggest you start shouting to the other runners and beg for an extra light!
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Negative. Max the Pug has to stay home for this event.
Q: Can I sign my kids up for Squatchayanda?
A: Yes! This is a family friendly event. However, YOU are responsible for your kids and need to run with them. Be sure to register your child separately and agree to the waiver for minors. Please keep track of Stefon and Debbie before, during and after the race. We only have 1 search-party and they're already out there looking for Sasquatch.
Q: What's the weather like in Hewitt, NJ in December?
A: Yeah. What a wow it's been out in that side. This year 's got temps in this simple dip it. Why? Global warm it. Be sure to keep it safety. And, hey if you've got to go car on that icy road slowing it right down, Mmay? Hat.
Q: What??!
A: It'll likely be cold and maybe snow. Dress warm and bring layers. DON'T FORGET YOUR UGLY SWEATAAA! Oh, and we recommend leaving those generously cut mom jeans at home.
Post-race party. What food will you be serving?
A: Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger! No fries, chips, no Coke, Pepsi. Definitely NOT cheeseburgers. Ever since they found Mad Cow disease in the US, we're not taking any chances. It can live in your body for years before it ravages your brain. Just Kidding..... We will be serving roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate BYO-Mug!!!!
Q: I could get lost in a brown paper bag and I'm worried that I'm going to get lost in the woods and be stranded alone in the dark. Will the course be marked?
Q: Whenever I get lost, I put my fingers under my arms, and then smell them like this…
Q: Ummmm... What?
A: Don't be worried about getting lost. Focus on following the reflective ribbons along the course. The light from your headlamp/flashlight will make the ribbons very visible.
Q: Speaking of directions, what’s the best address for me to use to get to the start/finish?
A: 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ 07421. When you get to the park, follow signs for the Wawayanda Beach. YOU MUST ENTER THE PARK THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE ON WARWICK TURNPIKE, WHERE THE PARK OFFICE IS LOCATED. THE UTILITY ENTRANCE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARK WILL NOT BE OPENED. IF YOU GO TO THAT ENTRANCE, IT WILL TAKE YOU AT LEAST 15 MINUTES TO GET TO THE MAIN PARK ENTRANCE ON WARWICK TURNPIKE!
Q: Me and my friend aren't registered for the race, but we're still planning on coming to run. We won't eat from the aid station or take a medal or swag. This is okay, right?
A: NO THIS IS NOT OKAY. This is called being a "race bandit" and it is stealing. Not paying for a race and running the race is stealing from the race organization (even if you're not taking food or swag). Don't do this at a Sassquad trail party or ANY other race. It's not okay. And if you hear about someone else doing this, call them out. If you bandit a race, you will be banned from registering for any of our Sassquad events.
SNEAKER FACTORY
Thank you to our friends at Sneaker Factory, NJ! Sneaker Factory supports Sassquad Trail Running on and off the trails to help make the events as squatchtastic as possible! The Sneaker Factory is NJ's source for all things running: New Jersey's oldest and most well-known running store, originally opened in Millburn in 1978. Stop by one of our three convenient neighborhood locations and let us help you find the "perfect ride for every stride." Millburn, Florham Park and Basking Ridge.
SASSQUAD TRAIL RUNNING
We are a community of SASQUATCH-lovin' trail runners. Our goal is to provide FUN and challenging events for runners of all ages and paces. We like to think that we have a good sense of humor, a full arsenal of sarcastic wit, useless trivia facts and a deep appreciation for cinematic masterpieces (as evidenced multiple times already). Follow us on Instagram , and like us on Facebook to get all of our Squatchy updates. You can also join our Facebook group, "Sassquad Trail Runners" to connect with other runners and hikers!
Event's current local time: 7:18 AM ET
