Catoctin 50k Trail Run & Half Cat

No engineer ribbons. No sympathy. No drop bags. The Catoctin 50k Trail Run & Half Cat returns to Cunningham Falls State Park (Frederick, Maryland) on Saturday, June 20, 2026. 50k (33ish miles) and 25k (Half Cat) out‑and‑back on the rocky, slow, demanding Catoctin Blue Trail. 2026 trail re‑route adds 0.7 miles each way (+1.4 miles total) and +20 minutes to cutoffs. Mandatory: carry at least 20 oz of water (two bottles recommended). No crew outside designated aid stations. No pacing. No refunds after May 19. This race will punish "heads down" running — look up at every intersection or get lost.

The Course — Honest and Brutal:

• Out‑and‑back on the Catoctin Blue Trail — permanently blazed with light blue blazes on trees. No extra ribbon or chalk. Follow the blazes and the runner in front of you (hopefully they're not lost).
• 60% of runners get off course at least once. Penalizes heads‑down running. Stop and look around at every intersection.
• 2026 permanent trail re‑route in the Frederick Watershed (between Hamburg Rd and Delauter Rd): adds 0.7 miles each way (1.4 miles total). New section runs slower and more challenging. Cutoff times increased by 20 minutes total.
• Shade: almost entirely covered by tree foliage.
• Streams: several crossings. In wet years, cool mountain water. In dry years, they wither and tease you. In heavy rain, the trail becomes a waterway.
• Rocks, roots, relentless hills. "No matter the direction it's always uphill."

Weather — Hot, Humid, Grueling:

• Race day will be hot. Rubber‑melting hot, sweat‑buckets hot, "puke your guts out" heat.
• 2019 was the "Hell Cat" — runners crying on course, finish line looked like a MASH unit.
• 2015 (moved to June) still hot, no one heat‑acclimated, runners suffered.
• Humidity under the canopy: "cut it with a knife" — you'll feel like you're swimming.
• Rocks sizzle, dirt turns to throat‑choking dust.
• The Hagerstown Almanac predicts any Catoctin race day will be worthy of ultra lore — hot, humid, hazy, frustrating.

Mandatory Gear & Requirements:

• ALL RUNNERS MUST CARRY AT LEAST ONE 20 oz WATER BOTTLE. Two bottles recommended to finish. Bring hydration equipment to bib pickup — we will verify for safety (and fashion).
• Poles tolerated only if you have balance issues or are prone to falling — otherwise leave them at home.
• No drop bags.
• No personal assistants at aid stations.
• No sympathy.
• No rides back to start/finish.
• No trail sweeps.
• No credit for going off course and adding mileage.

Aid Stations & Cutoffs (2026, with +20 min added):

• Manor (start): 0 miles — 8:00 AM start
• Delauter Rd: 6 miles outbound — cutoff 10:05 AM
• Hamburg Rd: 9 miles outbound — cutoff 11:05 AM
• High Knob (turnaround): 16 miles — cutoff 12:45 PM
• Hamburg Rd (inbound): 22 miles — cutoff 2:45 PM
• Delauter Rd (inbound): 25 miles — cutoff 3:45 PM
• Manor (finish): 33ish miles — cutoff 5:50 PM

Aid stations fully stocked: water, soda, Tailwind sports drink, cookies, pretzels, Pringles, candy, bananas, Succeed! electrolyte caps. Pharmaceutical needs are runner's responsibility.

Crew & Pacing:

• Crews allowed only at Start/Finish (Manor), Hamburg Rd Aid Station, and High Knob (turnaround). NOT ALLOWED at Delauter Rd. Crewing elsewhere = disqualification.
• No pacing, companion runners, mountain bikers, or friends keeping you company. Complete the race on your own motivation.

What You Don't Get (No‑Frills Ultra):

• No engineer ribbons marking the course (no setup/teardown).
• No personal assistants at aid stations.
• No sympathy.
• No drop bags.
• No rides back to start/finish.
• No credit for off‑course detours.
• No trail sweeps.
• No credit if you approach finish from any direction other than the official course.

First‑Time Ultra Runners & Hikers:

• Not the best venue for your first 50k. Relentless rocks and hills have made grown men weep and women curse the day race management was born.
• Hikers: you cannot walk it and finish in time — it's been tried, everyone failed. This is a run, not a hike. Half Cat is perfect for you.
• If you dress like a Swiss alps hiker for the 50k, expect ample heckling from the trail running police.

Half Cat — Origin & Purpose:

• Born in 2015 after RD Kevin Sayers talked with ultrarunning legend Tom Green. He asked if a 25k would bring him back (he was struggling with cutoffs). Green said yes.
• Originally open only to runners 55+ who could no longer complete 50k cutoffs.
• Since 2020, open to all ages. Has sold out every year since.
• Purpose: allow ultrarunning veterans to enjoy the experience without fear of cutoffs, and encourage newcomers without killing them on this humbling course.

Awards & Finish Line:

• Wink, smile, handshake, fist bump. Hugs only given to those about to collapse.
• Prestigious "Cat" or "Half Cat" card — professionally handcrafted wallet‑size card granting bragging rights and a rightful place in ultra running history.

Post‑Race Food:

• Around 11:30 AM — catered by "Friscos" (replacing retired Rogue Chef Bob Fabia). Sandwiches, exploded potatoes, sides, chips, watermelon, lemonade, ice cold water.
• BYOB (beer allowed in and around the Pavilion).

Parking & Carpool:

• More runners than parking spots. Solo drivers asked for $10 cash (goes to Frederick Civitan Organization to provide Christmas gifts for youth). Carpools/drop‑offs free.
• Gates locked until 6:00 AM — do NOT arrive before.

Schedule:

• 6:30–7:30 AM — bib pickup at Manor for both races
• 7:40 AM — pre‑race briefing (sharp — don't be late)
• 8:00 AM — 50k start
• 8:02 AM — Half Cat buses depart Manor for High Knob
• 9:00 AM — Half Cat start at High Knob
• 5:50 PM — finish cutoff for both races (+15 min over previous years)

Refunds, Transfers, Deferrals:

• 75% refund by May 19. Email [email protected] to request.
• No refunds after May 20.
• No bib transfers. No deferrals.
• If race cancelled (pandemic, etc.), refund minus expenses already spent.

Donations:

• Optional donation during registration goes to The Friends of Gambrill and Cunningham State Parks and City of Frederick for trail maintenance.

History & Race Director:

• First "fun run" held March 5, 1994 by Rick and Nancy Hamilton. Official race 1995–1996. Cancelled 1997–1998. Revived March 13, 1999 by Kevin Sayers (current RD).
• Originally run in frigid March, then moved to August (hot, humid, intolerable), then to July.
• Kevin Sayers: Grand Slam of Ultra Running (1998), JFK 50 Mile as a 100 miler (1998, 1999), 39,000 mile running adventure across North America. Aid station captain at Bull Run Run 50 Mile since 1999. RD of Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile (2011‑2022) and other races.
• His mission: "Conduct and promote fun and rewarding running events for entrants, crews and volunteers alike." Considers himself a cheerleader who greets every runner at the finish.