TARCtic Frozen Yeti Trail Races

Punxsutawney Phil won’t be the only trail animal out of hibernation on Groundhog Day. Come run with all your Trail Animal Running Club friends at the TARCtic Frozen Yeti Trail Races.

If you’ve run the Frozen Yeti before, there are a few things we really want to highlight about this year's events. Please refer to the Runner’s Manual for all the details. 

The 15 mile race will be a NIGHTTIME START on SATURDAY NIGHT 8 PM.Runners (and pacers, during their pacing duties) will likely again have lodge access this year, but crew’s will not.Runners will be allowed to have crews again this year, but they will not have lodge access. We should have at least one bonfire going outside, as well as porto-potties. You and your crew will be allowed to set up a tent in the field adjacent to the lodge. We will not be running shuttles from parking to the lodge (start/finish area). You will be able to drop your gear off at the lodge, but will then need to walk back to the lodge from the parking lot (up to 1.5miles).Runner’s will not be allowed to leave the race and then return to the course. If you need to take a break to warm up or catch some zz’s, you’ll need to do so at Powissett Lodge or in the camping area adjacent to the lodge

REFUND POLICY:

Note before you register: TARC races maintain a no refund policy. There will be no refunds for any reason. Any requests for a refund will be politely directed to this blurb. Please consider your race entry a donation to the trails, but one where you also get a chance to challenge yourself physically and mentally while taking in all the beauty the landscape has to offer. In the event of inclement weather that forces Hale to close its gates, the race's snow dates are February 8-9. In the event that there is additional inclement weather on February 8-9,  the race committee will do its best to come up with another alternative, but there are no guarantees. To reiterate, no refunds are provided, even in the event of race postponement or race cancellation, even if that is because the race dates are changed because of weather! If you register, set aside BOTH of those weekends, just in case we have crazy weather like in 2022!

RACES: There will be two categories to choose from, “Ultra” or “15 mile.”

In the “Ultra” category, you will have 30 hours to run the 15 mile tri-lobe course as many times as you want, 30 to 100+miles. Minimum distance for the Ultra category is 30 Miles to count as a finish, but the completion of any additional ~5 mile loop will count towards accumulated mileage. The course (see detailed description below) must be run in the designated loop order, no skipping of loops will be allowed to accumulate miles. The Ultra race starts SATURDAY MORNING at 8 AM.

For those who want to join in the fun for a single time around the course, we offer a “15 mile” race starting SATURDAY EVENING at 8 PM.

Race Dates and Times:

“Ultra” Race: 

Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM on Saturday to 2:00 PM on Sunday (30 hour time limit)

Check-in: 6:00 AM - 7:50 AM

Distance: A minimum of 30 miles must be completed to finish the ultra. The course is in the shape of a clover leaf and each ~5 mile leaf will count as accumulated mileage. We will email you leading up to the race to find out how far you think you may be running so we can plan accordingly, but you can run however far you want. NO CUPS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR HOT OR COLD BEVERAGES! PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE CUP FOR HOT AND COLD DRINKS/FOOD. This has a huge impact on the amount of trash generated over the course of this event, so thank you in advance for your help!

Pacers are allowed for the ultra after 60 miles or sundown. Pacers will only have access to the lodge during the time they are pacing. They may not remain in the lodge for long after / before their pacing duties. 

15 Mile Race: 

Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025

Time: 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM (six hour time limit)

Check-in: 6:00 PM to 7:50 PM

Distance: 15 miles (one full lap of the tri-loop). NO CUPS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR HOT OR COLD BEVERAGES! PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE CUP FOR HOT AND COLD DRINKS/FOOD. This has a huge impact on the amount of trash generated over the course of this event, so thank you in advance for your help!

COURSE: The course was created by our very own Josh Katzman and is a tri-loop design with a heated lodge at the center (think of a cloverleaf). With each leaf of the clover being about 5 miles, you will never be more than 2 to 2.5 miles from a heated lodge as you explore the varied terrain and scenery of Hale Education. Please note that the course must be run as designed and in the proper loop order, and no skipping of loops will be allowed to accumulate miles.

GPX file of the course is available HERE.

AID STATION: There will be ONE centrally located aid station (the heated Lodge) with food, water, and your drop bag.

PACERS: Pacers are allowed for participants in the 30 hour when they reach 60 miles or sundown, and they are encouraged for anyone going through the night. Pacers must follow the same rules as runners, and are required to carry the same gear as runners. Pacers must sign a waiver at the timing table before heading out on course. Pacers will only have access to the lodge during the time they are pacing. Pacers may not remain in the lodge for long after / before their pacing duties.

DROP BAGS: You will be able to have two drop bags: an INSIDE and OUTSIDE drop bag.

SAFETY AND OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF: February weather in New England can be anywhere from cold to deadly. Every runner is ultimately 100% responsible for themselves out on the course and must know their own cold weather running needs and limitations. That being said, we are taking safety VERY seriously as you will be in below freezing temperatures for extended periods of time and an injury can quickly turn into a life or death situation without the proper supplies. There WILL be required gear every runner MUST carry at ALL times during the event. You can expect this list to contain logical items that most of us would carry on a long, long, long run alone on winter trails.. 

Both races have required gear lists that will be finalized as we get closer to race date but will most likely include common basic cold weather race requirements like: 2 pairs of gloves, 2 hats, midweight warm layer, waterproof shell, hand & foot heaters, 2 emergency blanket, whistle, headlamp, front & rear red blinking lights etc. In the event of extremely cold weather predictions, the decision to implement an “Extreme Cold Weather Required Gear List” will be announced within 36 hours of the event, which might include: full change of clothes (pants/long sleeve insulated top/socks), emergency bivy, sleeping bag rated 15F or below, etc. YOUR GEAR WILL BE CHECKED AT CHECK-IN AND YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RUN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED GEAR.

SUGGESTED READING: We will periodically post links, on the TARCtic Frozen Yeti Facebook page, to useful articles regarding cold weather training and racing to help you prepare for your successful race. 

BUCKLES: 100 Mile finishers will be able to purchase a TARC100 buckle to commemorate their achievement for $55 (cash only).

SWEATPANTS:  Frozen Yeti logo sweatpants. Available for pre-purchase until December 1.  This item is only available for pre-purchase during registration, until December 1, and pick up on race day. Any items not picked up by Sunday at noon will be donated or sold. No items will be mailed. If you drop from the race and have purchased anything, you still need to pick it up. We will not mail it. We will not be purchasing any extra to sell on race day so order yours during registration. 

The existing TARCtic Frozen Yeti Facebook page will soon be updated to reflect this 2025 version and will be the main source for race related information, questions, and updates.

Sign up today and come run like a FROZEN Trail Animal with all your TARC friends!