Rock The Ridge 50-Mile Endurance Challenge

Rock The Ridge 50-Mile Endurance Challenge starts at 6:00 AM on May 1, 2027, in New Paltz, New York. Two options share the same 50-mile (80.5 km) trail course: an individual endurance challenge and a team relay over the same route. No elevation gain is listed.

Choosing between the two deserves some thought. Solo, 50 miles on trail is a full day of effort, best prepared with four- to five-hour long runs and a fueling plan you have already tested in training. As a relay, the same distance becomes reachable for runners used to half marathon efforts, each covering a share of the course at a firmer pace. Either way, a 6:00 AM start means a short night and a very early alarm, so rehearse a pre-dawn run at least once before race day.