It’s no secret that we adore Rocky Gap State Park and it absolutely has a special place in our hearts and the hearts of thousands of EX2 racers. We’ve been hosting races in the park since 2004, and three years we introduced this brand new ultra distance trail running event. We are thrilled to bring back the Rocky Gap 25K, 50K, and Relay Trail Running Race for year four! We hope you join us for an awesome adventure in the mountains of western Maryland.
Race Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Start Time: 8:30am (50K), 9:00am (25K)
Location: Rocky Gap State Park in Flintstone, MD
Course Length: 25K (~16ish miles) and 50K (~32ish miles)
Course Format: 3 different loops. 25K does each loop once, while the 50K does each loop twice
Entry types: Solo runners and relay teams of 2 or 3 in both the 25K and 50K
The race highlights three different beautiful loops in the park that vary in length between 4.4 miles and 6.5 miles. We are calling these loops simply Loop A, Loop B, and Loop C. The 25K race does each loop once in order (A, B, C) with a total elevation change of about 1,300 feet. The 50K race does each loop twice in order (A, B, C…then A, B, C again) with a total elevation change of about 2,600 feet.
Loop A – Rocky Trail
Loop A is 6.5 miles with 500+ feet of elevation change and some moderate singletrack sections. The route follows the Lakeside Loop Trail for approximately 1.4 miles until it takes a left turn up a trail that we affectionately call Evitt’s Revenge (it’s steep). After a really fantastic .2 mile climb, the route takes a right onto Rocky Trail where it continues to climb until about mile 2.7. After topping out, the route heads downhill via the Setters Path trail and the Hickory Loop in the campground to the Lakeside Loop Trail. The route then follows the Lakeside Loop around the lake back to the staging area.
Loop B – Canyon Overlook
Loop B is 4.4 miles with about 500 feet of elevation change and highlights some lesser known singletrack in the park. The route follows the Lakeside Loop Trail for approximately 1 mile until it reaches the dam road and then continues straight across the road and up a steep (but short) section of trail to the ridge above the gorge. The route then traverses above the gorge to the left to the Canyon Overlook Trail and then returns back to the dam road to Old Hancock Road. The route then takes a right on Old Hancock Road (doubletrack) and then a left on an awesome 1.5 mile trail that leads back to Lake View Drive. The route then follows the Lake View Drive back to the staging area.
Loop C – Lakeside Loop
Loop C is 5.2 with about 250 feet of elevation change and follows the complete Lakeside Loop Trail. The route is amazingly beautiful with water views most of the way around.
In terms of anticipated difficultly, Loop A is the hardest followed by Loop B. Loop C is the easiest of the three loops since it is generally flat around the lake.
Course maps, elevation profiles, etc. are on the race website.