Hesston, Pennsylvania · Saturday, September 19, 2026
The Raystown Lake MTB Marathon is a cycling, marathon, and mountain biking event held on Saturday, September 19, 2026. It is located at Susquehannock Road in Hesston, Pennsylvania.
We're excited to bring you this new event in 2026. Nothing better than getting to spend a day in the forest riding with a friend. Which makes this event perfect for that.
Instead of swamping the notes section with how this event works, CLICK HERE to go to our race page on our website and scroll down to find the How Does This Work/Rules area. We don't have many rules for this event, but it will be your responsibility to understand them. We also have a very small list of required items you'll need to have for the event.
Schedule
Friday, July 31, 2026
5:00 PM Early Registration Begins*
7:00 PM Early Registration Ends
*Early Registration will be held at Boal City Brewing in Boalsburg about 5 minutes away from our start/finish area. Address is 281 Old Boalsburg Road Boalsburg, PA.
Saturday, August 1, 2026
7:00 AM – Registration Begins
7:45 AM – Registration Ends
7:50 AM – Racer Meeting At Start
8:00 AM – RACE START
TBD PM – Post-Race Meal Begins
TBD PM – Awards Ceremony**
8:00 PM – COURSE CLOSES***
**Since this is the first year and we're not really sure how long this will take, we will play the awards by ear. If you know you've made a podium, stick around the area and we'll make some announcements as to when they'll be held.
***Course closes at 8:00 PM. If you do not return to the finish area by then, your team will receive a DNF.
Included With Registration
-Post Race Meal
-Event Shirt (If registered by 7/19/26)
-One fully stocked aid station
-Medals for top 3 in each category
GRIP Getaway 2026
A Women’s Bike Weekend in Happy Valley
GRIP stands for Grow, Renew, Inspire, and Purpose — and that’s exactly what we hope you take away from this weekend bike retreat.
Hosted by Happy Valley Women’s Cycling, GRIP Getaway is an inclusive, community-focused weekend filled with riding, learning, and meaningful connection.
Our team is here to support you on your bike journey — whether that means improving bike handling skills, building confidence, or setting goals for your own unique riding path. This guided weekend event takes place in beautiful Central Pennsylvania and includes rides, workshops, and skills training for road, gravel, and mountain bike riders of all levels.
In 2026, get ready for an unforgettable adventure with guided gravel and mountain bike rides through the breathtaking Rothrock State Forest — just minutes from our “base camp” at the Wyndham Garden Inn State College.
Take your bike handling skills to the next level with clinics led by PMBIA Certified Instructors, whether you're brand new to trails or looking to refine advanced techniques. Most importantly, you’ll connect with other women who share your passion for riding and growth.
What’s Included
Friday Ice Cream Social + Ride
Guided Group Rides (Gravel, Mountain, and Road options)
Gravel & Mountain Bike Skills Training with PMBIA Certified Instructors
Saturday Lunch at the Wyndham Garden Inn State College
Strength Discussion + Demo & Live Q&A
Optional Bike Maintenance Clinic at The Roost
Beer Tokens for our Saturday social at Boal City Brewing
Optional Sunday Yoga Session at PYP Studio
Giveaways Throughout the Weekend
Join Us
We’re so excited to see you at GRIP Getaway 2026. Join us and register today.
What Past Attendees Are Saying
“I just wanted to send a quick personal note to thank you, and all who helped, for putting on the retreat... It was well thought out, well organized, and just a really nice day. I learned a lot and it was nice meeting a bunch of unique and special ladies. I left feeling renewed and more confident at the possibility of spending more time on a bike and on the beautiful mountain gravel roads.”
— Susan B.
Blue Knob Mountain Bike Association Mountain Bike Challenge Blue Knob Mountain Bike Association (BKMTBA) is once again holding its 13.7-mile and 25.4-mile races that will incorporate both the trail systems at Blue Knob All Season Resort and Blue Knob State Park on August 15, 2026. The primary purpose and goals of BKMTBA in hosting the festival and race are to draw attention, increase notoriety, and attract patronage to both Blue Knob All Season Resort and Blue Knob State Park. It is the belief of BKMTBA that the Blue Knob Mountain area, as a whole, and all of its amenities are relatively unknown within and outside the state. It is the stated goal of BKMTBA that by increasing the number of events that are open to the general public, as well as events that target specific groups, such as the mountain bike community, the Blue Knob Mountain area, and the surrounding communities of Blair, Bedford, Cambria, and Centre counties, the area will be identified as a weekend and vacation destination.
Blue Knob Mountain Bike Challenge has been registered and advertised on BikeReg.com services and website. Racers can follow the link to register. The site allows racers to register and pay through the site. The race will have ten categories that participants can choose from. For the 13.7-mile race, there are Men’s Open 18-49 y/o, Men’s Youth <18 y/o, and Men’s 50+ y/o, Women’s Open 18-49 y/o, Women’s Youth <18 y/o, and Women’s 50+ y/o. For the 25.4-mile race, there are two categories: a Men’s Open 18+ y/o and a Women’s Open 18+ y/o. We also have a single-speed category that will follow the 25.4-mile race course and is open to Men 18+ y/o and Women 18+ y/o. The registration fee for categories for men and women 18+ will be $50, and the youth categories will be $30. All registered racers will receive a complimentary race shirt. The top three finishers for each category will also receive a cash award. Race-day registrations and check-in will begin at 8:00 AM on August 15, 2026. Race-day
registrations will be an additional $10.00. The race will start promptly at 10:00 AM on August 15, 2026, rain or shine, for all participants aged 18 and above, and at 10:05 AM for all youth participants. Long Course: The race will begin at the Blue Knob All Season Resort clubhouse and work its way through the resort side single-track trails for its first stage, followed by a grueling climb up the slopes to the Blue Know lodge and the beautiful single-track trails on the Blue Knob State Park side. This year, the long course loop will take the riders down to Pavia, where they will begin the climb back to the ski lodge. The finish will be a fast and grueling downhill back to the resort for drinks, food, and fun. Awards and prizes will be presented at 2:00 PM on August 15, 2026, at the finish line. Short Course: The race will begin at the Blue Knob All Season Resort clubhouse and work its way through the resort side single-track trails for its first stage, followed by a grueling climb up the
slopes to the Blue Know lodge and the beautiful single-track trails on the Blue Knob State Park side. This year, the short course will take the riders around the Pavia Lookout Loop on the Blue Knob State Park side, then back to the ski lodge. The finish will be a fast and grueling downhill back to the resort for drinks, food, and fun. Awards and prizes will be presented at 2:00 PM on August 15, 2026, at the finish line.
September 13, 2025: ALLEGHENY TRAILRUNNERS INC. IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE 14TH ANNUAL ROCK ’N THE KNOB – PA’S HIGHEST RACE. BREAKING THE WILL OF ALL WHO DARE TRY…
The Ultramarathon Course (50K) begins at 6:00am and the Medium Distance Course (20K-25K) starts at 9:00am and the Short Course (10K) starts at 10am.
The race will offer three courses: a Short Course (10K-ish), a Medium Distance Course (20K-25K) and a challenging Ultramarathon Course (50K) for the more experienced.
TAKEAWAYS:
Short Course (10K-ish): This course may be the most challenging 10K in PA* (*based on the fastest and average finish times.) The 10K features challenges like Tree-odge, Devils Hairpin, Throat Punch Hill and Soul Sucker Slopes! Two major climbs give you over 1350 feet of climbing. There is one aid station at the base of the first climb called Throat Punch Hill at 3 miles. More: http://www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/rock-n-the-knob-trail-challenge/
Medium Distance Course (20K-25K): Get ready – this race is a doozy. We took the marathon course and cutting it in half but leaving in more than half of the challenges and sufferfest. The half features some gnarly sections like Blister Blaster, Teal is Real up Deep Hollow Notch, I'll Nettle Do This Again and I Need a Sherpa! We are amending the course in 2021 to include more elevation madness with almost 3500 feet of climbing - or 7000 feet of elevation change. There are three aid stations and a six 1/2-hour time limit. There are 3 Aid Stations: At Chappelle's Field (Mile 4.6); At Ravens Rest (Mile 7.2); At Heavens Hairpin (Mile 11.1). More: http://www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/rock-n-the-knob-trail-challenge/
Ultramarathon: For mountain-goats, this course will brake the will of many as you repeatedly attempt to ascend Blue Knob Mountain, the most northern 3,000+ foot peak in the Alleghenies. The 50K is our infamous mountain marathon “boosted” to an ultramarathon which includes all the ‘greatest hits’ of both the medium course and 10k races. More - http://www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/rock-n-the-knob-trail-challenge/
In Summary:
At over 3,100 feet above sea level, it is Pennsylvania’s highest race.
A 10K, half-marathon or 50K options. Both are more technical (rocky) than our little sister, the Dirty Kiln Trail Race.
Lodging is available at Blue Knob All-Seasons Resort, wake up feet from the start and finish.
Our famous swag package.
Post-race food and beer is included with the entry fee.
Start/Finish Address: 1424 Overland Pass Claysburg, Pennsylvania 16625. Bib pickup begins 7am in the pavilion beside the Blue Knob Clubhouse Restaurant and Conference Center.
Welcome to the 4th Annual Trough Creek Gravel Grinder! We are very excited to continue this race in our 2026 Pennsylvania Gravel Series! We've been getting a lot of feedback that this has been the racers favorite course of the year. Hope that you will join us and see for yourself.
Routes
Full Series Route (71-Mile Course) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45062110
Half Series Route (41-Mile Course) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45061666
Short Series Route (33-Mile Course) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45058820
Schedule
7:00 AM -- Registration Opens
8:30 AM -- Registration Closes
8:45 AM -- Racer Meeting At Start
9:00 AM -- RACE START
11:30 AM -- Post Race Meal Begins
12:00 PM -- Short Series Route Awards
12:30 PM -- Half Series Route Awards
1:30 PM -- Full Series Route Awards
*Times are subject to change
Included With Registration
Well-Marked Course
Chip Timing
Stocked Aid Stations
Event Shirt (If registered by 9/6/2026)
Post-Race Meal
Awards For Top 3 In Each Category
Make sure you check out our website for full race information -- www.trans-sylvaniaproductions.com/tcgg
Refunds, Transfers, Deferrals
No transfers or deferrals under ANY circumstances.
If race sells out, we will consider a transfer to another race if we have someone on a waitlist to take your spot.
Refunds available until May 31, 2026, of 75% of entry fee.
Refunds available until July 31, 2026, of 50% of entry fee.
No refunds after July 31, 2026, NO EXCEPTIONS.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO PURCHASE THE RACE INSURANCE THAT IS OFFERED FROM THE REGISTRATION SITE.
Other 2026 Pennsylvania Gravel Series Races
April 12, 2026, Bald Eagle Gravel Grinder www.bikereg.com/begg
May 9, 2026, Parker Dam Gravel Grinder www.bikereg.com/pdgg
June 28, 2026, Camp Michaux Gravel Grinder www.bikereg.com/cmgg
August 15, 2026, Mid-State Gravel Grinder www.bikereg.com/msgg
Make sure you check out our website for more series information -- www.trans-sylvaniaproductions.com/pgs
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