Runners line up to start the 10 and 20-mile MTR,   May 21, 2022

Kim Levinsky tracking the runners

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED...

Runners are invited to register for the 15th Mayapple Trail Runs to be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in beautiful South Mountain Reservation in Essex County, N.J.  The races are organized by the volunteers of the South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) with the support of the Essex County Parks Department. The USA Track and Field sanctioned races (pending) provide an informal but supportive trail race environment for runners who are up to the challenge of completing 10 or 20-mile distances, or an ultra-marathon route of 50 kilometers (31 miles), 40 and 50 miles. For the fourth time a 1-mile race for children under 12 is being offered.  The starting times are: 50 and 50K races, 8:30 a.m.; 20 and 10-mile races, 9:30 a.m.; and the 1-mile Kids Race, 10:00 a.m.  All races will end at 9:30 p.m. EDT, 13 hours after the 8:30 start. (Sunset is at 8:05 p.m.) Races take place rain or shine (and over the years we have had  extreme examples of both!).

All proceeds support the mission of the Conservancy as a steward and advocate for the park and its public programs (go to  www.somocon.org for more information).  To register, go to Ultrasignup.com. There are race-day registrations using your smart phone, but we recommend signing up beforehand.

Note: Runners can drop down distances during the race and not be deemed DNF, but will only be counted in the standing for medals if they run the same course at the same time. Specifically, any runner who starts at 8:30 a.m. can drop down to a lesser distance started at that time (50 miles to 50K) and be considered for medals. If these runners complete only 20 miles (E and W loops), their time will be recorded, but they will not be medal eligible. Similarly, a 20-miler who decides to complete only 10 miles can be considered for prizes at the lesser distance. 

COURSE OVERVIEW: All races start at the Locust Grove picnic area in the South Mountain Reservation (197 Glen Ave., Millburn).  The course consists of a 10.5-mile east loop and 10.2-mile west loop through the forested 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation. Following along the valley floor and the two ridges, the course includes long stretches of double-wide gravel roads, technically challenging, meandering single-track hiking trails with roots and rocks, and (on the east loop) three, quarter-mile stretches of pavement and a water crossing. It is a good combination of level paths, rolling hills, moderate climbs, and a few very steep ascents. The east and west loops total approximately 1,500 feet of ascent. Aid stations are located approximately every five miles on the east and west loops.  Again, we are timing the races using a chip system courtesy of Sassquad Trail Running

To download the long-distance course map with the east and west loops, click HERE.

To download a course map for the kids race, click HERE.

If you want to know exactly where you are in the reservation on your smartphone, download the new interactive SMR MAP ON AVENZA.

The 50K and 50-mile runners all start at 8:30 a.m. with the east (E) loop. The 50K runners complete two additional loops (E, W, E in total), and the 50-milers complete four additional loops (E, W, E, W, E in total). The 10 and 20-milers start at 9:30 a.m. on the west loop. The 10-milers run only that loop; the 20-milers then complete the east loop as well. The Kids Run is on a separate 1.15 mile course that overlaps the east loop for its first half.  (Note: For lack of registrants, the 40-mile distance will not have runners.)

These start times allow runners to travel via train from Penn Station, NYC, to Millburn on New Jersey Transit's Morris-Essex Line. There are 7:11 a.m. and 8:11 a.m. trains leaving Penn Station, NYC, to Millburn for the 40-minute trip. The Millburn station is two blocks away from the Locust Grove starting point. Return trains run every hour.  

PARKING: Some parking spaces are available at Locust Grove, but these are limited.  It is strongly recommended that cars be parked across Glen Avenue at the lots between the First Aid Station and the Millburn Library.  Parking in these lots is free on  weekends. Cars irregularly parked at Locust Grove will be ticketed.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A full description of the long-distance course is available HERE.  The course is nearly identical to our earlier races, except that the east loop will run along  Glen Avenue to the Elmdale Trail in order to avoid the often congested Rahway Fairy Trail. (See race course description for details.) 

The 1-mile Kids Race for ages 5-13 also starts at the Locust Grove Parking Lot and follows the wide River Trail for a half mile before turning uphill onto the Sunset Trail and descending along the broad steps of the Quarry Trail.  The actual distance is 1.15 miles.   Ribbons are solid yellow  for the entire course. 

RACE REPORTS:  This year we are again collecting race reports. After the race, please send your report to mayappletrailruns@somocon.org.  In the subject line please put Race Report - [distance run]. We will post them on the website. 

DROP BAGS: There are aid stations roughly every five miles where runners can have bags dropped off. At the stations, we offer electrolyte drinks and water, granola bars, pretzels and snacks. If you have a special request, please let us know; we will do our best. 

 YOU CAN VOLUNTEER: We are always looking for volunteers to help out on the day of the race at the stations. (See below.)

FINAL REMINDER: There are no refunds. 

For 2022 Results: CLICK HERE

SPONSORS

http://www.sneakerfactory.com/

SPONSORS:

Special Promotion for Mayapple Trail Runners from the Sneaker Factory 

(308 Millburn Ave., Millburn, Ave. - 900 feet from the Locust Grove starting point)

Runners who register beforehand may pick up their race packets 30-45 minutes before your race.

VOLUNTEERS:

We love our volunteers and this year we're showing the love with some help from our good friends at the Sneaker Factory.  All volunteers who help out for at least 4 hours (trail marking, aid stations, trail marking clean up) will receive a $25 gift certificate from the Sneaker Factory and free registration to next year's  Mayapple Trail Runs!  Plus, you'll get a pizza lunch and be a hero to all the runners and the good folks who enjoy the South Mountain Reservation throughout the year.

You can also earn free registration to the Mayapple Trail Runs by volunteering at two trail maintenance or forest regeneration events organized by the South Mountain Conservancy.  Full details are available here.

For questions, please email mayappletrailruns@somocon.org

ABOUT US:

The South Mountain Conservancy is a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation started in 2000.   Through volunteer activities, public programs and a partnership with the Essex County Parks Department, the SMC serves as a steward and advocate for the South Mountain Reservation. The SMC strives to preserve, protect, and enhance the ecology, infrastructure and natural beauty of this regional park and to foster public engagement with, appreciation of, and support for it. The trails are kept clear of fallen trees because of some four dozen volunteers who  report and remove them. For more information about joining and supporting the SMC, visit www.somocon.org.

 The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 20 parks, five more natural reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, paddle boats, three public golf courses, golf driving range, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. The South Mountain Reservation is Essex County’s largest park and covers parts of Millburn, West Orange and Maplewood and abuts South Orange.