Miller Mountain Trail Challenge

About the Event

The Miller Mountain Trail Challenge is a high-difficulty endurance event held in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. Scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, the race is widely considered one of the most grueling sub-ultra trail runs in the state due to its vertical gain and technical terrain. Net profits from the event support local land conservation and community resources through the Countryside Conservancy and the Wyoming County United Way.

Race Categories and Schedule

The event offers three distinct participation formats, each starting and finishing at 156 Jurista Dr S. The courses utilize a mix of private property, old logging roads, and nursery trails.

Distance	Start Time	Elevation Gain	Aid Stations
25K Hike	8:00 AM	~4,700 Feet	4 Total
25K Run	9:00 AM	~4,700 Feet	4 Total
5 Mile	9:15 AM	~2,000 Feet	Varies

Geography and Course Conditions

The geography of Miller Mountain is defined by steep ridges overlooking the Susquehanna River and the Tunkhannock Creek watershed. The 25K course requires four separate ascents of the mountain, each gaining over 1,000 feet. Runners will navigate a variety of technical surfaces, including rocky ravines, wet trails, and steep climbs through private tree farms. In early May, Northeast Pennsylvania typically experiences cool, damp spring conditions, with average daytime highs of 18°C and morning lows of 6°C. The terrain is often slippery and technical, particularly on the descents, which range from flowing dirt roads to steep, rocky sections.

Logistics and Support

Packet pickup is available on Friday, May 8, from 5-7 PM and on race morning starting at 7 AM. While online registration via UltraSignup closes on May 6, race-day registration is offered on-site. Participants receive a customized finisher gift, event swag, and a full post-race meal. Awards are presented only to the top overall finishers, with no age group categories. A basket raffle is also held on-site to generate additional donations for the local charity beneficiaries.

Races Offered

25k Hike

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — 25K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$80.00

25K

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — 25K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

sell

$80.00

5 Mile

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — 8K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:15

sell

$55.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Tunkhannock.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 9.8° / 21.1°

wb_sunny 8.0° / 19.2°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 9.6 /

water_drop 73.6%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 9.8° / 21.1°

wb_sunny 8.0° / 19.2°

air 9.6 km/h

water_drop 73.6%

About Tunkhannock

Learn more about the host city, Tunkhannock.

Tunkhannock is a borough and county seat of Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located 31 miles (50 km) northwest of Wilkes-Barre, Tunkhannock is in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the past, lumbering was carried on extensively. Today, many residents are employed by the Procter & Gamble plant in nearby Washington Township. As of the 2020 census, the borough population was 1,766.