Where: Highland Forest County Park near Fabius

When: Sunday, 26 May 2024

- Round 1 starts at 7 am.

What: Elimination Trail Race.

Parking: Main Lot at the Skyline Lodge.

Start/Finish Line: Located at the Community Shelter near the Pioneer Museum.

How:

Step 1 - Register your team. Teams must include 1 female and 1 male runner.

Step 2 - Pick up your packets on race day.

2a. Strategize with your chosen partner.

Step 3 - Run!

Registration Includes:

- Race Swag

- Marked Course

- Stocked Aid Station

- Post-Race Meal

- Professionally organized and operated race experience

Here’s how the tournament is structured:

Round 1:

All registered teams start together at 7 am and run 2 laps of a 4-mile marked course. The teams with the fastest combined times after 2 laps will advance to Round 2.

Round 2:

At about 9:30 (flexible based on finish times), the advancing teams will start. These teams will complete 2 laps of a 3-mile marked course. The teams with the fastest combined times will advance to the final round.

Final Round:

Around 11 am, the top teams will start. These teams will run 2 laps of the same 3-mile marked course. The team that finishes with the fastest combined time of the final 2 laps will be crowned the 2024 TRAIL PROM Champions!

There are a couple of things to note as you begin your preparation for TRAIL PROM!

1. There will be a break in between each round. Depending on when you finish your two laps, the break could range between 15-45 minutes.

2. The number of teams advancing are subject to change based on the number of teams participating in TRAIL PROM.

Timing:

Timing this event will be administered by the Race Director. We’ll use chipped bibs, so please make sure to run across the mat at the start/finish line.

In each round, the fastest combined team times will advance to the next round. Here’s how the timing will be calculated:

Ex.

Round 1:

Team - I Luv Trail Running

- Runner A - completes 8 miles in 1 hr 45 min

- Runner B - completes 8 miles in 2 hr 00 min

“I Luv Trail Running” combined team time = 3 hrs 45 min

Team - I Despise Trail Running

- Runner A - completes 8 miles in 1 hr 30 min

- Runner B - completes 8 miles in 2 hrs 14 min

“I Despise Trail Running” combined team time = 3 hrs 44 min

If it happens to come down to an elimination, then “I Despise Trail Running” (3:44:00) would advance because they finished 1 minute faster than “I Luv Trail Running” (3:45:00). “I Luv Trail Running” would then be eliminated from the next round.

Rules:

1. Teams must be comprised of 1 female and 1 male.

2. Have Fun and Support your fellow trail runners!

3. Leave No Trace. Help take care of our beautiful parks and forests!

4. Follow Course Marking as set by the Race Director.

5. Maintain Trail Running etiquette at all times.

6. Follow the direction of the RD.

7. Have Fun and Support your fellow trail runners!

Highland Forest is one of the prettiest parks in Onondaga County and is home to a number of different activities throughout the year!

TRAIL PROM is a single-elimination trail race taking place on the various terrains that Highland Forest has to offer.

Round 1: ~4-mile loop.

Rounds 2 and 3: ~3-mile/5k loop.

All runners will complete the first 8 miles to determine which teams continue to Round 2.

The trails at Highland Forest vary in both technicality and elevation. On the 4-mile loop, you’ll find single track, double track, and Forest Service road. The elevation change on each 4-mile lap is around 400 ft, so at the end of your 8 miles, you should expect to be around 800 feet of elevation change.

The 5k loop used in rounds 2 and 3 is slightly more technical but also includes a mixture of single track, double track, and service roads. The elevation change on the 3-mile loop is roughly the same at just under 400’ but will be more challenging as the same elevation is squeezed into a shorter distance!

Teams advancing to the 3rd and Final round will have completed about 20 miles and 2400’ of elevation gain!

Links to the courses can be found here:

4-mile (ROUND 1 ONLY):

https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/6b9caf32-39c1-4d13-8924-43e74ae314c2/?layer=usparcels,GaiaTopoRasterMeters,gaiapubliclandOpenBounds

3-mile (ROUNDS 2 AND 3):

https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/0f4ffd92-8c8c-4dd3-914a-9a666bb46835/?layer=GaiaTopoRasterFeet

The best part of trail and ultra running is by far the food and snacks available for noshing on during and after the race! As expected and standard form for Reluctant Runner Racing events, TRAIL PROM will be no exception! Every attempt will be made to offer gluten-free, vegan, and vegan-free options to race participants.

***Water, Skratch,, and Soda for the race and post-race.***

Beer and alcohol will NOT be provided by the race.

Racing Aid Station:

Whole Fruit (Seasonal)

- Apples

- Bananas

- Oranges

- Grapes

- Watermelon

Sweets (Assorted Candy)

- Fig Newtons

- Oreos

- Gummy Bears

- Peanut M&M’s

- Sour Patch Kids

Snacks (Assorted)

- Pretzels

- Trail Mix

- Crackers

Sandwiches

- PB&J

- Nutella Wrap

- Deli Meat

POST-RACE FOOD

In each of our first two years, our winning teams opted for the Filet Mignon, Asparagus, and Potatoes! While the other runners had an option of hamburgers and hotdogs. Stay hungry my friends!

Trail races could not happen without the dedicated support of volunteers like you! If this is an event you’re interested in helping with, please reach out. There are a number of areas that will require assistance, including but not limited to:

- Aid Station

- Packet Pickup

- Course Marking/Sweeping/Marshalling

- Timing

Contact the Race Director at iain.nelson@reluctantrunnerracing.com if you’d like to volunteer for part or all of the “Trail Prom” experience.

Thank you!