Trip 'n' Tumble 10K and 13M trail races

FLINTSTONE, MARYLAND — Join the Potomac Highlands Distance Club and friends for the area’s newest trail run and hike on Mother’s Day 2021, Saturday, May 8, for the Trip ‘n’ Tumble Trail Run and Hike in Green Ridge State Forest.

Official race site - click here. 

Course descriptions:

10K (c. 6.7 miles) for runners and hikers

There will be a combined start at Green Ridge State Forest Headquarters before heading onto single track trail of the Pine Lick Trail. Runners will generally head west for the first mile or so, then turn north towards the Pennsylvania border. After following Fifteen Mile Creek and crossing under Interstate 68, runners and hikers eventually will come to a wood bridge that spans the creek. This is about the 3.1 mile point, and shortly after reaching the other side of this bridge is where the 10K runners and hikers will turn around.

13-mile-ish (for runners)

Runners only. Combined start at Green Ridge State Forest Headquarters before heading onto single track trail of the Pine Lick Trail. Runners will generally head west for the first mile or so, then turn north towards the Pennsylvania border. After following Fifteen Mile Creek and crossing under Interstate 68, runners and hikers eventually will come to a wood bridge that spans the creek. This is about the 3.1 mile point

There are two distances, a 10K (6.2-mile) option for runners and hikers as well as a 13-mile (give or take) option for runners. There will be a combined start at Green Ridge State Forest Headquarters before heading onto single track trail of the Pine Lick Trail. Runners will generally head west for the first mile or so, then turn north towards the Pennsylvania border. After following Fifteen Mile Creek and crossing under Interstate 68, runners and hikers eventually will come to a wood bridge that spans the creek. This is about the 3.1 mile point, and shortly after reaching the other side of this bridge is where the 10K runners and hikers will turn around.

The long distance runners, however, will turn right (and up) onto the Twin Oaks Trail until they see the Twin Oaks Schoolhouse. Built around 1887, it is the last one of about 20 schoolhouses that used to sit in the area now known as Green Ridge State Forest. After that, it’s a smooth downhill jaunt to the valley floor. Then runners hop back onto the Pine Lick (blue) Trail and head back to the start area.

Aid Stations

As with any trail event in the wilderness, you are strongly encouraged to carry with you all the supplies/goodies you think you might need to safely complete the journey. However, there will be one aid station on the 10K course (at the midway point) and three aid stations on the longer distances (roughly miles 3.1, 6.5 and 9.6).

Awards

Overall male and female winners for each distance, as well as top masters (40-plus) and top grand masters (50-plus) for each gender also will be recognized. Further age group awards will be based on details of registered runners six weeks before race day.

There will be special recognition for the following teams: top mother-daughter and top mother-son (based on combined time, not place – no duplication of awards). Yes, in-laws count as family.

COVID-19 Statement

The planning for this race is beginning in late November 2020 in Allegany County, Maryland. At this moment, Allegany County has the highest infection rate in the state. Only two weeks ago, we successfully staged the 10th Fire on the Mountain 50K (and 25K) with COVID restrictions in place (social distancing wherever possible, no-touch aid stations, face coverings by volunteers, and by runners at start and finish, etc.) …

If the event cannot be staged on the original date due to state or local public health restrictions, the Plan B date is Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.