Wapack and Back Trail Races

Please Note: If you plan on training on the course, please note that there is a fee to use/pass through Miller State Park.  $4 for adults 12 and older and $2 for children 6-11.  Please stay on marked and developed trails to avoid and trail erosion or disturbance of vegetation.

Description

The Wapack and Back Trail Races consist of a 50 mile ultramarathon and an end-to-end trail race run on the 21.5 mile Wapack Trail (www.wapack.org). Leading from Mt Watatic in Massachusetts to North Pack Mt in Greenfield, NH, the rocky ledges of this technical trail (approx 4600 ft elevation gain in each direction, 50 miler is around 10,800' climb) afford views of the Boston skyline to the east, Berkshire and Green Mountains to the west and White Mountains to the north. Ultrarunners who complete the 43 mile out and back section will be receive a finishing time and be listed in the results. Runners "only" looking to run the 43 mile race can still sign up for the 50 mile race and stop at the start/finish. Four water stations (which ultrarunners pass twice) will provide water only. Post-race refreshments may be provided.

21.5 Mile Course Record: 3:01:16, Brandon Newbould 2017
21.5 Mile Course Record (Female): 3:57:29, Kristina Folcik-Welts 2015
50 Mile Course Record: 8:51:34, Josh Katzman 2013
50 Mile Course Record (Female): 10:43:10, Samantha Leblanc 2018

Details

START TIME: 
- 50/43 mile race starts at 5:00 AM at Mt. Watatic State Park in Ashburnham, MA, the Southern end of the Wapack Trail.
- 21.5 mile race starts at 9:00 AM from the Northernmost end of the Wapack Trail. Runners must check-in at the Southern end of the trail and then ride the bus (leaving at 8am) to the Northern end of the trail and run back to their cars. The water stations will be spaced no more than 7.5 miles apart.

COURSE MARKINGS: There will be no additional course markings other than the yellow triangles in place along the length of the trail. The water stations will be spaced no more than 7.5 miles apart.

Ultra TIMELINE (50/43 mile)
05:00 Start
15:30 34 mile cutoff (must reach Rt 124/Windblown in 10.5 hours to continue to 43 mi)
17:00 43 mile cutoff (must reach start/finish in 12 hours to continue to 50 miles)
19:30 50 mile cutoff / course closes

TIMELINE (21.5 mile)
08:00 Bus leaves Ashburnham for drop-off at North end of trail
09:00 Start

Map here

Also check out Friends of the Wapack website.

MORE DETAILS!!!!!

Parking 
The parking area at the start/finish is very small so most of you will have to park on Rt 119. YOU MUST PARK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AS FAR OFF THE PAVEMENT AS POSSIBLE. Ashburnham police may tow cars parked on the south side of Rt 119.

Marking
The Wapack Trail is blazed with yellow triangles painted on trees, rocks, telephone poles and the occasional signpost. With one or two exceptions, there will be NO ADDITIONAL MARKING. The trail is easy to follow for the most part, but if you’ve gone more than a few hundred feet and haven’t seen a marker, retrace your steps until you find one.

Water
With as much as 7 miles between aid stations, you should be carrying at minimum TWO BOTTLES.

Drop bags
50/43 mile runners can bring a drop bag to the start of the race for delivery to the Northern Terminus/Mountain Rd (28.5 miles). We don’t have a lot of capacity for transporting the bags so make them small.

Water Stations
The water stations will be stocked with water & most likely Tailwind.  We will have the basics in terms of aid station food...candy, maybe PB&J, maybe chips, maybe soda, alot of maybe this and maybe that.  If you need something specific, please plan on carrying it with you or placing in your drop bag for those utilizing the turnaround in the longer races.  

Drops
While we look forward to greeting you at the finish, please notify one of the aid station volunteers if you need to withdraw from the race and expect to be chowed upon by black flies and mosquitoes while you patiently wait for a ride back to Watatic.  That ride will take a while.  So our advice?  Just keep walking.  

Prizes
Everyone is a winner!

Ultra Schedule/Cutoffs 
This race starts in the dark. Have a headlamp with you or don't plan on racing!
04:00 Registration opens
04:55 Race briefing
05:00 Start
15:30 34 mile cutoff (must reach Rt 124/Windblown in 10.5 hours to continue to 43 mi)
17:00 43 mile cutoff (must reach start/finish in 12 hours to continue to 50 miles)
19:30 50 mile cutoff / course closes

 

Race Refund Policy

TARC races maintain a no refund policy. There will be NO refunds or deferrals for ANY reason. Any requests for a refund will be politely directed to this blurb. Please consider your race entry a donation to the Wapack Trail...but where you also get a chance to challenge yourself physically and mentally while taking in all the beauty that the trail has to offer.