Lost Turkey Trail Races

The Lost Turkey Trail Races are now *cupless.*  You must bring your own cup/bottle/vessel to fill at aid stations. Fully stocked aid stations will have water, electrolytes, candy, chips/pretzels, cookies, crackers.  Water only aid stations may be unmanned, but water will be monitored.

You will be bussed from the Finish Line in Chappell’s Field within Blue Knob State Park to the race start in Windber, PA. The bus leaves promptly at 5am to head to Windber.  We recommend arriving at Chappell's Field no later than 4:45am if you are taking the bus.  You may pick up your packet the morning of the race, but must arrive at Chappell's Field by 4:30am.  There will be portable toilets at both Chappell's Field and the start line in Windber.

The race will begin on a stretch of rocky singletrack that will test your footwork and loosen your legs for what is to come. The trail then turns to grassy doubletrack that will allow you to make up time and stretch out. The LTT will continue to follow the ridge through scenic stretches that will take you past the Highland’s signature bogs, through stands of pine and large swaths of hardwood forests. A water drop will be located at Hollow Rd. in Ogletown, giving you the chance to fill your pack for the next small stretch. The trail has a net descent for the first 17 miles, but don’t let that fool you as long steady climbs will keep you working as you head toward the first manned aid station at Skyline Dr. Make sure you HYDRATE! The trail will be a mixture of single and doubletrack that will continue until you make your way onto a dirt/gravel section that is FAST and relatively flat. You'll soon begin your descent off of the Allegheny Front. This is arguably the most fun section of the race, winding and switch backing down the face of the ridge. Fun, short ridge sections and fast singletrack will drop you off of Round Top into Big Break Hollow, where you will reach a stream and a nice rocky section. This section culminates at our flagship AS at Burnt House. 
Leave Burnt House AS and cross RT. 869 (Burnt House Rd.) to start the first true climb of the race after a small stream crossing. Climb the ridge and be rewarded with a section of doubletrack that gives way to the first “goat path." Traverse along the edge of the ridge with careful footing and round the edge of the ridge, dropping slightly in elevation. Traverse the second goat path with the same careful footing and catch your breath on the moss-covered, gorgeous “green mile”. Cross the stream and make your way toward the LTT as it turns LEFT onto the Fisherman’s Path section that parallels Bob’s Creek for a short time. The trail then reaches Bob’s Creek and the wire bridge that will keep your feet dry as you shimmy across OR cool off in the freestone creek that holds some gorgeous native trout! Catch your breath and climb up the steepest section of trail to the top of the ridge and immediately begin the long, rocky descent to the Lost Children AS. Continue onto Monument Rd. for a short stretch and begin the climb toward the summit of Blue Knob that will last approx. 3 miles. Round the campground and continue on this doubletrack section for 1 mile. Turn right and climb to Blue Knob Rd., which you will then cross and continue your climb to the top. Reach the summit and the white marker stamped with Lost Turkey Trail. At this point, you’ve completed the Lost Turkey Trail, but not the race. A short connector trail winds through a forested section toward the large bend just below the Ski Lodge. Cross the hard road and catch Mountain View Trail, which drops quickly off the top. Hang a right onto “clickity clack” toward the Group Camp and Sawmill Trail. The race will follow Sawmill back to Chappell’s Field, where you will finish strong, catch your breath and eat your turkey dinner!

50k Start Time: 6am at Windber Lost Turkey Trail Trailhead.  There will be a roll-call check-in at the start since we will have some runners riding the bus and some being dropped off at the start.

Transportation: Bus Departure from Chappell's Field (arrive at Chappell's Field at 4:30am if you're taking the bus to the start!).  The bus leaves at *exactly* 0500!!!  If you miss the bus, you can drive yourself to the start, but you will be responsible for finding a ride back for your vehicle when you finish.

50k Finish Time: 6pm (We're proud to have a generous 12 hour cutoff)

Drop bags are permitted at Burnt House Aid Station (mile 17).  Please use a tote or bag that is securely fastened and labeled with your NAME, 50K, and BURNT HOUSE.  Drop bags will be collected at check-in and driven with Scott to the race start in Windber.  Scott will collect any drop bags from those who got their own ride to the start.  Most people do not use trekking poles until after Burnt House, so you may want trekking poles for your drop bag.  Drop bags are returned to the finish after the sweeper has been through the aid station.  The aid station volunteers will pack up everything and take it to the finish.  You are responsible for picking up your drop bag.  

Crews are not permitted for the 50k distance.  You may have friends or family members visit you at Burnt House or Hairpin. We ask that they do not go to Lost Children, as that is a narrow back road, and we will have volunteers going up and down it throughout the day.  

Bibs must be worn on the front of the body, clearly visible.  There will be radio operators at each aid station.  Please make sure your bib is visible to them as they check you in at each station.

Packet Pickup will be Friday, July 26th, 3pm-5pm.  50k Packets may also be picked up the morning of the race at 4:30am at Chappell's Field or at 5:30am at the Windber Trailhead for the start.  At packet pickup, you will need to make sure you have at least one emergency contact listed (you may have an additional person if your typical emergency contact is also running the event).

GPX File: Email us and we can send you the GPX file to upload to your watch!

Port-a-potties are at the start in Windber as well as the finish at Chappell's Field.  

GPX File: Email us and we can send you the GPX file to upload to your watch!

The Lost Turkey Trail Races are now *cupless.*  You must bring your own cup/bottle/vessel to fill at aid stations. Fully stocked aid stations will have water, electrolytes, candy, chips/pretzels, cookies, crackers.  Water only aid stations may be unmanned, but water will be monitored.

Additional meals for your crew or friends/family may be purchased in advance (these can be added and/or edited in your registration during the "giveaway/add-on" section.  You may also email Jenn to let her know.  We are happy to accommodate any dietary needs.  Please let Jenn know if you need a vegan/vegetarian meal by 7/13/2024 so we can plan accordingly.

Camping is available at Blue Knob State Park (the campground is across the road from Chappell's Field!).  
Reservations can be made on reserveamerica.com at: Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - Camping & Reservations | ReserveAmerica

Condominiums are available at: Blue Knob Condo Rental - Claysburg, PA | Feel at home while escaping to the mountains of Pennsylvania

If you prefer a hotel, the Hampton Inn in Altoona is always a good choice.

Showers are included at the bath house at the state park campground if you're camping.  If you are not camping, we ask for a $5 donation to the park to use the showers.

This is a *cupless* race!  Aid stations will be able to refill a reusable cup/water bottle/hydration pack/whatever vessel you choose to bring!

Packet Pickup: Packets may be picked up 8:30am-9:45am the morning of the race

The Lost Turkey Half-Marathon is hiker friendly and a great beginner trail half!  This is a loop course so participants start and end at Chappell's Field in Blue Knob State Park.  From Chappell's Field, participants make a right onto the Chappell's Field Trail for their first mile then make a left onto the Lost Turkey Trail (this turn will be at a 3-way intersection so make sure you pay attention to the sign and/or course marshal) to begin their descent to Monument Road.  Make a left on Monument Road (watch for the sign at the bottom of Lost Turkey!) and then a right onto Fisherman's Path.  Depending on water levels, there will be a few water crossings, with the largest one at Bob's Creek. You'll catch the Fisherman's Path again and head toward the Lost Turkey Trail again.  You may be meeting up with some 50k and 100k runners at this point!  Enjoy the wire bridge or splash through Bob's Creek before beginning a steep climb.  From there, it's a rolling descent down to your first aid station at Lost Children.  Fuel up because you'll begin your climb back up to the campground, and then a left to stay on the Lost Turkey Trail.  You'll be heading to Herman Point, the Blue Knob trailhead of the Lost Turkey Trail!  Reach the top then head down the road briefly before making a left onto the Connector Trail.  At the bottom of the Connector Trail awaits your second and final aid station, Hairpin.  Continue on and make a right on the Pavia Lookout Loop.  At the 4-way, bear left, but watch out for the rock trolls! Take a look at the view at the Pavia Overlook.  At the 4-way, make a left down Mountain View for a little bit, then make a right onto Sawmill, also known as "Clickety Clack."  You'll pass through the group camp and stay on Sawmill.  As you reach Park Rd, bear left onto Chappell's Field Trail to head to the finish!

There will be radio operators at each station to check you in/out.  You must check in/out with them!