Nearly 500 runners and walkers joined us last year, and after three years of tinkering, we finally cracked the code: same course, same start and finish, and the same post-race reward — a cold Common Roots beer. This year, we’re kicking off at 6:30 PM and hoping for clear skies. Thanks to the running clubs, creative teams, and proud wearers of wild shirts and wilder props who make this event what it is. See you at the start line, where good people, great stories, and maybe a few mismatched costumes collide for a cause that runs deep.
BAD BLOOD RUN 2026 RACE DETAILS:
Wed. Aug. 5th @ 6-7:30 PM - Dicks House of Sport, Latham
Thurs. Aug 6th @ 4:30 - 6 PM - Siena Quad
Runners: two loops
Walkers: one loop
Kids Quad Dash $10: starts @ 6:00 pm
USATF Sanctioned, ARE, Running Bib with Chip Timing with ChronoTrack B-Tag.
REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE:
$30 until May 31st (Early Bird)
$35 June 1st - August 5th
$45 on race day (4:30 pm-5:30 pm)
FREE STUFF:
Free Shirt - first 200 registrants
Free Common Roots beer with registration (21+)
TOP FINISHER PRIZES - Awards: 7 - 7:15 PM (Quad)
Top Male and Female will receive a $250 GC at High Adventure Ski Shop by Alpin Haus
Top Male and Female finishers, ages 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69. 70+, will receive a $25 GC.
Team Prizes: Best team shirt, Most members, Highest fundraiser receives branded running socks
Hoopla 2026 dates just announced!
Join us for a weekend of bringing folks together to enjoy cycling, camping, outdoor adventure and fun! Make new friends, ride awesome trails and try out new bikes. We have planned a family friendly event and are ready to inspire new riders as well as to challenge trail and road warriors alike. Enjoy guided rides for all levels in the beauty of the Berkshire Hills: road ride, single track, gravel, kids, enduro, double track and family friendly trails. Bonfires, food trucks, live music, BBQ and maybe even a disco tent! This is not a mountain bike specific event, it’s open to all disciplines of cycling whether you are on a road, gravel, kids, fat or mountain bike. Just c’mon out and play!
Camping and event activities are located at Ponderosa Pines Campground at 50 Potter Mountain Rd, in Lanesborough. It is best accessed from the east or south(Pecks Rd, Bull Hill Rd or Churchill St and beware of your GPS advising you to come in from NY to the west via Potter Mtn Rd, you won’t make it over! The campground is nestled in-between Balance Rock State Park and Pittsfield State Forest(https://www.mass.gov/locations/pittsfield-state-forest), the 3rd and 4th largest public lands in the state of Massachusetts. Being on a dirt road it is the perfect location to start a gravel ride, with direct access to single track out the back of the campground is doesn’t get much better for the mountain bikers and the Mount Greylock Visitor Center(https://www.mass.gov/locations/mount-greylock-state-reservation) on Rockwell Rd is a short 7 miles away so you won’t use up to much energy before pedaling to the highest point in Massachusetts on your road bike! We will have a kids loop that stays close to
the event site, but even young teenagers will find that the access to the single track is quite manageable.
Our goal is to create a safe and fun environment to gather like minded people. With your participation, Hoopla is able to support other local cycling events, maintain and improve existing trails, purchase equipment for trail builders and donate to fitness/sporting organizations that need a little help.
Hope to see you there!
2026 Event Update
**14th Annual Sweltering Summer 8-Hour! We secured approval from Parks and Rec at the March 17th meeting for our event! Let's come play on the track!**Youth Under 20 are 1/2 price! Use code: YOUTH50! to save 1/2 registration! If you have run Sweltering at least 3x use code: SERIALRUNNER! to save 10%
Description
Sweltering Summer Race Bulletin 2025EVENT TIME: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM (8-Hour)PACKET PICK-UP: 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM (Race Day Only)CHIP TIMING: Provided by Mike Melton and MCM Timing all day! Includes link to live in real-time leader board for sharing and review. TIME LIMIT: 8-Hours for all runners. No partial laps count. Walker Friendly. 8-Hour Runners may elect to run or walk as many laps as they choose during the event.LOCATION: Clapp Park, 215 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201COURSE DESCRIPTION: Certified dirt and cinder track that surrounds Clapp Park (.355 mile loop). Racers will start counter-clockwise, switching directions at the 4-hour mark, and are permitted to run the width of the track. Running on the grass along the outside grass surface is permitted. AID STATION: Signature bottle drop/drop in effect with individual table space trackside! Drop in NASCAR style, and get your bottled filled so you can get back on the track quickly! Expect prepackaged goodies, and a no-contact bottle refill system for water/gatorade. Additionally, runners may choose to set up their own personal areas along the course. Ice pops mid morning and pizza will be delivered at 1pm for an afternoon pickup!Please ensure they are 3' from the outside edge of trackCONTACT: Bennjamin Griffin (Race Director) Email: [email protected] Phone: 413-443-5819Snail Mail: 53 Essex Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201AWARDS: Overall champions' awards given out at conclusion of event as well as Age Division Awards given for following age groups: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ this year. Lifetime longevity and mile awards also handed out at the conclusion of the race.VIRTUAL RACE: TBD: Depending on interest, this year, we may have a 12 hour Virtual Option for runners who cannot attend but wish to support AYJ Fund. If you want a shirt, it will be $10 extra for virtual runners. Runners will receive a hand-made medal from Ragged Cuts at the event inclusion. No age group awards for virtual runners. You are required to send proof of distance to the race director. Eligible dates for Virtual Race is August 1 to August 14. Any questions, please email the Race Director prior to registering. PROCEEDS BENEFITTING: AYJ Fund, a northern Berkshire County non-profit that provides services and support for children facing a cancer diagnosis.REFUNDS: If unable to attend, you may defer entry one year. Must be done in writing to RD before 7/1.VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Assistance is needed for setup, registration, starting line, race operations, awards, aid station management, and clean up. If your friends or family members are running the race, please sign up and give us a hand. Email RD Benn with any questions at [email protected]. RACE SERIES: This is part of the BURCS BADASS race series. Points are awarded and cumulative awards are available. See the link on the right hand column for details..Note:All runners will receive a Marathon split for their first 74 laps.Questions? E-mail the Race Director, Benn Griffin at: [email protected] for information.We honor our teachers, active and retired service members, and first responders. Use code SERVICE! to save 10%.
Race Registration Help
If you are unable to pay full registration fees at this time for any reason and want to participate, please contact us! [email protected]. We will help with partial race scholarship if available and also share how you can help at other BURCS Events to earn race credits and race for free!
Event's current local time: 4:11 AM ET