What is The Void?
The Void is a 48-hour, out-and-back endurance challenge run entirely inside an abandoned tunnel.Runners will complete 63 out-and-backs through the 1.3-mile corridor, totaling just under 160 miles—one of many deliberate nods to the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike. When America’s First Superhighway opened, it stretched 160 miles from Carlisle to Irwin. This tunnel was part of that vision. Now, it’s something else entirely.The physical challenge is simple and unrelenting:160 miles of pavement. An opportunity to quit every 2.5 miles.The psychological challenge is where the race earns its name.The tunnel has no interior lighting. For two days, runners move in and out of darkness—again and again—guided only by their headlamp, their discipline, and their willingness to continue. There is no scenery. No variation. No distraction. Just repetition, isolation, and choice.This is not a race against others.This is a negotiation with yourself.
Overview
The Void strips ultrarunning down to its most essential—and unforgiving—form.There is no scenery.No variation.No relief.You run from one end to the other, turn around a cone, and go back the way you came.Again.And again.And again.If you’re looking to be pampered, distracted, or entertained, you are going down the wrong hole.The Void takes place inside Sideling Hill Tunnel, a Pennsylvania Turnpike relic steeped in unfinished ambition and quiet abandonment. Originally constructed in the 1880s by the Vanderbilt Syndicate to rival the Pennsylvania Railroad, the tunnel was never completed—earning the name Vanderbilt’s Folly. In the 1940s, it was repurposed and finished for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, becoming the longest tunnel on America’s First Superhighway. Abandoned in 1968, it now sits cold, dark, and silent as part of the Old Turnpike Trail.For this race, the darkness will be maddening.The Void is a 48-hour, out-and-back ultramarathon run entirely inside the tunnel. Runners will complete 63 out-and-backs through the 1.3-mile corridor, totaling just under 160 miles—a deliberate nod to the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike. When America’s First Superhighway opened, it stretched 160 miles from Carlisle to Irwin.The physical challenge is straightforward and relentless:160 miles of pavement and an opportunity to quit every 2.5 miles. The psychological challenge is where the race earns its name.The tunnel has no interior lighting, forcing runners to exist in repeated darkness for two days. There is no variation. No outside stimulus. No escape from the rhythm.There is no exit.Only forward. And back.
Structure, Format and Rules
The Void is unlike any endurance event you might have participated, or had nightmares about. The Void's structure, format and rules is very unique. See https://www.runthevoid.com/format-and-rules for all the details.
The Toll Ticket System
To reinforce the psychological and strategic nature of The Void, the race employs a Toll Ticket system inspired by Pennsylvania Turnpike toll tickets. At check-in, each runner is issued a physical Toll Ticket. This ticket governs how often a runner may leave the tunnel to access support during the race. The Toll Ticket system is not meant to make the race fairer. It is meant to make it harder. Success at The Void will depend not only on endurance, but on discipline, planning, and the ability to resist the urge to exit when it feels necessary—rather than strategic.Read more about the Toll Ticket System: https://www.runthevoid.com/toll-ticket-system
Before you Enter The Void, Read our Qualifications
All participants must complete an application, which will be reviewed by the race directors for entry consideration. While we will consider any applicant who makes a strong case for their abilities and preparedness, priority will be given to runners with demonstrated extreme endurance experience, as this reduces subjectivity in the selection process. We strongly recommend that applicants have completed at least one 100-mile ultramarathon, backyard ultra, FKT, or comparable extreme endurance event within three years of the registration date. Applicants with this experience will be weighted more heavily during the selection process.The event is limited to 96 participants.
Event's current local time: 5:05 AM ET
End of the Road Half Marathon (October 24–25, 2026 · Waterfall, PA) is one of Pennsylvania’s most unique fall races. Choose the Half Marathon or 4 miler and run through two long, dark tunnels on the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, surrounded by peak autumn foliage.
Looking for an October race that’s unlike anything else in the state? This event takes runners deep into history along a stretch of highway bypassed in 1968 and untouched by cars for nearly 50 years. The course blends five miles of tunnel running with rolling rural roads and stunning mountain scenery.
Not ready for 13.1 miles? If you’ve run a 5K before, the 4 Miler is the perfect next step. It’s approachable for newer runners, fun for walkers, and still gives you the full thrill of racing through the famous abandoned tunnels. Curious what it's like to run through the tunnels? Watch our End of the Road Half Marathon & 4 Mile preview video with footage from 2024 participant, Natasha.
Race Options:
Half Marathon – Saturday or Sunday (choose your day)
One Tunnel 4 Mile – Sunday
Two-Day Challenges:
26.2 Road Closed Rambler – Half Marathon Saturday + Half Marathon Sunday
17.1 Tunnel Traveler – Half Marathon Saturday + One Tunnel 4 Miler Sunday
Why Runners Love It:
Run through 5 miles of tunnels – a headlamp or flashlight is required
Limited field sizes each day for an uncrowded course
Official pacers for both Half Marathons to help you hit your time goals
Movie Night on the Turnpike Saturday evening (The Addams Family in 2025)
Host hotel near the start/finish that hosts packet pickup (book early—sold out last year)
Now in its eighteenth year, this race has welcomed runners from across the U.S., raising funds for The Old PA Pike’s efforts to turn the abandoned turnpike into a permanent greenway for runners, walkers, and cyclists.
Be part of one of Pennsylvania’s most talked-about October races—and one of the most memorable courses you’ll ever run.
The WMRT Marathon/half marathon/10k is back for the 11th edition in 2026. The course is the same, the history is the same, BUT the race has been renamed for one of Washington County Maryland's greatest distance runners and the creator of the JFK50 Miler, Buzz Sawyer.
Frank and Mike of Altis Endurance have passed the race on to Katie and Adam Lowe of 2Lowe Run Company to continue the race's traditions.
The Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K is set for Sunday October 18th, 2026. This race takes place in its entirety on the fantastic Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) located in - wait for it - Western Maryland.
The race start/finish is located in the wonderful town of Hancock. The town of Hancock is a super trail town with great C&O Canal history and scenery in addition to the WMRT. Hancock is definitely a place to visit for those who love trails.
The marathon MD17006NP and half marathon MD17005NP courses are USATF Certified Courses. This is a good Boston qualifying course!
The marathon starts at 7:30 AM, the half marathon starts at 8:00 AM, and the 10K start at 8:15. The start/finish is located on the Western Maryland Rail Trail just north of C&O Bicycle at 9 S Pennsylvania Ave Hancock, MD 21750.
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.
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.
The VentureQuest (VQ) Adventure Race has challenged, rewarded, and inspired over 5000 athletes in its history. VQ is where is all began for EX2 and we are excited to produce our 21st edition of this special race.
This year we will have a 8-hour and 24-hour course option both staging out of Rocky Gap State Park. The details of the courses and what to expect are below.
Date: Saturday September 12, 2026
Start Time: 10:00am (24-hour) and 9:00am (8-hour)
Location: Rocky Gap State Park in Flintstone, MD
Disciplines: Trekking, paddling, mountain biking, navigation.
Teams: Soloists and teams of up to 4 (male, female, or mixed gender). Team members travel together the entire race.
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.
2026 Race 2026 Date is Sunday November 1stRegistration OPENS ON FEBURARY 2nd! Training Runs We will hold 1 training run in the fall of 2026. We will meet at the FINISH LINE at 8am. The training run will take place Sunday September 27th. We'll run on the red trail, anywhere between 7-15 miles. Race Recap Thanks to Derek Clark for this descriptive race recap. Check it out!https://www.mountainridgept.com/physicaltherapyblog/2023/11/13/fire-on-the-mountain-50k-race-report DISTINGUISHED PARTICIPANT 2026 Back for the 2026 running season! Runners who participate in 5 out of the 7 2Lowe Run Co events will earn Distinguished Participant status and earn a special award! Participants may take on at least ONE race from each of the eventsTiki Trot events (5k, beer mile or Tiki-tizer mile)The More Miles Last One Standing Challenge (either 1 mile or 4.167 mile backyard)44th Annual Gary Brown Memorial 5 mileLock 2 Lock (Choose between 26.2, 13.1, 6.2)The Final Countdown - TributeBuzz Sawyer (Choose between
26.2, 13.1, 6.2)Fire on the Mountain (25K or 50K) Some Race Information: Race website: http://2lowerunco.com/Please visit our website for full event detailsInstagram:@fotm50kFacebook Pages:Potomac Highlands Distance ClubFire on the Mountain 50K&25K 50K – Distance of the race is about 31.95 miles. Seven aid stations on this out-and-back course (three are hit twice, plus the “oasis” at the midway point. Runners must complete the course as assigned in 10 hours and 0 seconds or less to be considered an official finisher.25K – Distance is about 16.3 miles. Three aid stations (one is hit twice). Cutoff time is 4 hours and 45 minutes. The course includes approximately 6.5 miles of trail (sometimes technical), with ups and downs, roots, rocks and sometimes “billy goat” trails (thin track and slightly cantered towards the creek a couple hundred feet below), plus 9.6 miles of a mix of forest service road and improved dirt roads.* No refunds, no deferments (military or pregnancy related exceptions
may apply), no transfers.* All finishers under the official cutoff time for each event (10 hours 0 seconds for 50K, and 4.5 hours for 25K) will receive a finisher’s premium. Take pride - you earned it. It is unlikely a runner will negative-split this course, especially if it takes that runner 5 hours to reach the 50K midway point or more than 2.5 hours to reach Aid Station 2 for the 25K.* We need volunteers for this event to fuel runners at 4 aid stations (7 total, but 3 are hit twice). If interested in helping – or having your school/civic club group help – please send an email to [email protected] .* Race begins at 7 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Please note: Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1. This means you should set your clocks back 1 hour before going to bed on Saturday, October 31st. Failure to do so will have you arriving very, very early to the race site. *As in the case with the first 15 years of the race, there will be a series of semi-organized
(and self-supported) training runs to familiarize runners with different portions of the race course. The scheduled training runs will be staged in September. Event's current local time: 4:58 AM ET
Welcome to Adventure Racing! The Greenhorn AR, now in our 11th edition, was created to offer competitors a gateway into the sport of adventure racing. This 4 hour sprint adventure race was designed with the beginner in mind, but fun for everyone no matter the skill or experience level! While there is significant challenge built in, this event is fun and highly achievable for the novice racer. The navigation is straight forward and the maps that we provide are excellent. The mountain biking takes racers over gravel roads, some pavement, and semi-technical singletrack trails. Finally, the paddling takes place on a clear lake.
Race Date: Saturday September 12, 2026
Location: Rocky Gap State Park, Flintstone, MD
Start Time: 11:00am
Total Distance/Time: Roughly 15 miles, 4 hours time limit
Disciplines: Trekking (~3 to 6 miles), paddling (~2 mile), mountain biking (~8 to 10 miles), navigation (beginner)
Teams: Soloists and teams of two, three, or four (male, female, or co-ed). Team members travel together the entire race.