Worlds End Ultramarathon

The Worlds End Ultramarathon is a challenging foot race that explores the Loyalsock Trail, Loyalsock State Forest, and Worlds End State Park in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. The routes are largely rugged, scenery-dense single-track trails with some fairly remote sections, several waterfalls, and multiple vistas of the beautiful Endless Mountains. This is not a beginner-level ultra and participation in the race should not be taken lightly. As John Young writes in Hike Pennsylvania, “If you want to do some hiking in the Worlds End region, you should know that hiking here means climbing”.

RACE DETAILS

Race date: 6/03/2023

100k start time: 5:00am

100k cut-off: 12 midnight (19 hours)

50k start time: 7:00am

50k cut-off: 7:00pm (12 hours)

There is no day-of registration.

SCHEDULE

PACKET PICK-UP (CLIFF PAVILION)

Friday 5:30-7:45pm: Race bib pick up (Mandatory for all runners.)

7:15pm: Race Pre-race meeting (Highly reccommended.)

RACE MORNING SCHEDULE (CLIFF PAVILION)

Saturday 4:00am: Check-in station opens.

*All 100k runners must check in.

*There is no bib pick up.

Fresh-brewed Bason Coffee and breakfast available!

5:00am: 100k Start

5:30am: Check-in station re-opens.

*All 50k runners must check in.

*There is no bib pick up.

Fresh-brewed Bason Coffee and breakfast available!

7:00am: 50k Start

Worlds End State Park

- Parking is limited in the lot nearest the Visitor Center – please use the large main parking area at the park entrance first. Once that lot is full, use the overflow parking up at the Visitor Center.

- Race check-in and the start/finish line are at the Cliff pavilion on the north edge of the main parking lot. There are also trails down to the Loyalsock Creek, picnic tables, and a great playground near the pavilion.

- The drop bag collection point is at the Playground Pavilion located across from the overflow parking.

- We’ll have 5 porta-johns near the Cliff Pavilion, there is a bathroom building to the right of the start/finish line and the Visitor Center facilities will also be open during normal park hours.

- Please remember that alcohol is not permitted in the State Park, except at the Cliff Pavilion during the race. We need to be good guests and respect this. Alcohol is permitted in the State Forest, which means you can have a cold one at any aid station except for Worlds End and Canyon Vista.

Use drop bags if you have things you need but don’t want to carry the whole way – warm/dry clothing, a special snack, head lamp, etc. We’ll transport your bags to designated aid stations and have them waiting for you. The drop off location will be at the Playground Pavilion for Friday evening and race morning.

- 50k: We’ll take drop bags to AS4-Worlds End (only one 50k drop bag site). AS4 is at the picnic tables across the road from the overflow parking lot; please DO NOT go to the finish line!!

- 100k: We’ll take drop bags to the following 3 aids stations (use as many or as few as you’d like):

AS4-Worlds End

AS7-High Knob

AS10-Brunnerdale

Drop bag guidelines:

- Close your bag securely and label it clearly with name, bib #, and the aid station it’s meant for.

- Drop off at the collection point no later than the start of your race.

- We can’t promise to protect your bag from the weather, so a waterproof bag is best .

- We’ll get them back to the Playground Pavilion as soon as possible.

Communications

Worlds End is a remote area and cell phone service is very limited – it’s unlikely you will be able to talk with your runner, crew, etc., by phone. We will have radio communication with each aid station through our communications command bus – if you have an urgent need to contact a runner or crew, please see a race official at the finish line or any personnel at the communications command bus.

Spectators are welcomed and encouraged. The start, finish, and AS4 are all easily accessible on foot from the main parking lot. Other aid stations with easy access and adequate parking are AS5-Canyon Vista, AS7-High Knob, and AS12-Fern Rock. See “Guide to Crew Accessible Aid Stations” below for directions. We expect spectators/guests to follow the same rules as our participants – no littering, courtesy and respect for all trail users, etc.

Post-race Food

Finish line food and refreshments are for registered runners only (and a pacer if you finish with one.) Crews and pacers are more than welcome to participate in the finish line celebration but please come prepared and bring your own food to the party.