Events
Stokes Trail Half & 10k Postponed
New Date: TBD
Hi fellow runners,
It's with a very heavy heart that I have to postpone the 2020 edition of the Stokes Trail Half & 10k due to restrictions surrounding COVID-19. When the idea for this race first began, I intentionally kept it small and informal with the hope that a permit would not be needed. Stokes State Forest agreed that a smaller gathering and run for fun would be permissible without a permit. After talking more with them, the event has become legitimate enough to constitute a permit, which they are not giving out due to state restrictions with COVID-19.
I want to apologize for the delayed update as I looked into converting this to a virtual race, but that would need a permit as well. I plan to hold the race (hopefully larger!) next year with a somewhat different route. With that said, I'm inviting you to request a refund or feel free to stay in the race and have your registration deferred to whenever the new date is set. If you decide to receive a refund and have ordered a hat that you'd like to keep, feel free to reach out and I'll work out getting it to you!
I really appreciate your interest and I was really looking forward to sharing the trail with you and some friends, but please get out and enjoy the routes on your own! Once the leaves start to change over you'll get some really great views from the top (give the fire tower a climb). Here are the race routes:
Thank you for your understanding and I wish there was a way around it, but here we are. Feel free to shoot me an email with any questions and hopefully I'll see you next year or bump into you out on the trail!
Cheers,
Ben
Here Are Your Options:
Place
Branchville, NJ US 07826
Description
Welcome to the Stokes Half & 10k! Both courses take you through Stokes and High Point state parks and consist of single track, fire roads, bridge crossings (they're little, but hey...they're still bridges), creek crossings (again, small, but a chance to get muddy and show how tough of a trail runner you truly are!), lots of rocks, a fire tower, scenic views, more rocks, several mainly downhill miles along the Appalachian Trail, and to close it all out, we end at Gyp's, the fan-favorite local dive bar. Who knew...New Jersey has some serious trails!
Registration for both races includes a race sticker, a water station (I'll probably throw in some bars) , a donation to the Stokes State Forest, and a PBR...of course.
TL;DR Description:
HALF - Easy start, nice flatter run along the Big Flat Brook, gradual climb into a mile of steep climb for mile 7, then running on the AT along the ridge through mainly singletrack with great views and a fire tower along the way before a rocky descent to Gyp's Tavern - technical terrain throughout. - Half Route
10K - Easier wide and flat start through pines, followed by a short but steeper climb on Tinsley Trail, then running on the AT along the ridge through mainly singletrack with great views and a fire tower along the way before a rocky descent to Gyp's Tavern - technical terrain throughout. - 10K Route
Full Descriptions:
Half Marathon (really about 13.75 miles) - The half starts at the Stony Lake parking lot and heads north along the relatively flat and piney Stony Brook Trail for about a mile. From there, you'll hop onto the Blue Mountain Trail, which is where you'll be for a good portion of the race. The Blue Mountain Trail offers a wonderful variety of single track, rocky terrain, a faster wider section, and a few short climbs. From mile 2.5 to about 4.5 you'll enjoy running right alongside the Big Flat Brook. Right around mile 4.5 you'll cross Crigger Road and the climbing will begin...don't worry, it's still New Jersey (Pro Tip: There's a spring that is infinitely flowing with deliciously fresh water right before crossing Crigger Road). For the next 3 miles, you'll experience some technical terrain mixed with faster sections of fire road. Warning: you may not enjoy mile 7. This mile is the steepest climb but with the biggest reward - you'll also be done with any bigger climbs at this point. Once you reach the top, you'll intersect with the world-famous Appalachian Trail! You'll remain on the AT for the remainder of the run. The AT section will give some great scenic views, the Sunrise Mountain Pavilion, a fire tower (if time isn't a concern, I highly recommend climbing for the view), bald rock faces, and some fast singletrack sections as you run along the ridge. Starting just before mile 12 you'll begin your descent, where beautiful singletrack turns into a slightly steep and very rocky section right before reaching RT 206. Finally, you'll end up on RT 206 where you'll turn right to find the finish and a cold beer a stone's throw away at Gyp's Tavern.
10K (really about 7.1 miles) - The 10K starts at the Stony Lake parking lot and heads northeast along the Blue Mountain Trail. You'll be on this section of the run for about 1.8 miles, enjoying a mixture of technical and flatter sections through some pines with relatively little elevation gain before intersecting with the Tinsley Trail. The Tinsley Trail is where the real climbing begins, but not to worry, it's only just under a mile with a fun bit of singletrack towards the end. From here you've made it to the Appalachian Trail! The AT section will give some great scenic views, a fire tower (if time isn't a concern, I highly recommend climbing for the view), bald rock faces, and some fast singletrack sections as you run along the ridge. Starting at mile 5 you'll begin your descent, where beautiful singletrack turns into a slightly steep and very rocky section right before reaching RT 206. Finally, you'll end up on RT 206 where you'll turn right to find the finish and a cold beer a stone's throw away at Gyp's Tavern.
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