Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon

08/27/2025

Are you ready for 100 forest miles? Treat yourself to the Tussey Mountainback 100 Mile Ultramarathon on Oct. 25-26. Register at www.tusseymountainback50.com. This year's race features a new course for the first 50 miles. Why do it? Just for the hill of it.

08/26/2025

Have you had a serving of forest running lately? Join others in central PA this Saturday, Aug. 30 for the first of eight free morning group runs that will cover all 50 miles of the Tussey Mountainback's scenic, certified 50-mile single-loop course in Rothrock State Forest. Come to Tussey Mountain Ski Area on Bear Meadows Road for the first run. We'll do a relaxed out-and-back (up and back down) on Leg 1 of the course, a little over 6 miles. Meet at 7:30am, start at 8am. Why? Just for the hill of it!

You are welcome to bring with you:
Friends and family who are new or not to Rothrock
Enthusiasm, love of hills, etc.
Gently used running shoes to go to Sneakers4Good
Donations to Jana Marie Foundation, the beneficiary of the 2025 Tussey Mountainback

We hope to see you there! Park in the lot just below the ski lodge.

08/21/2025

Did you know you have a 100 mile option now at Tussey Mountainback? Come join us for double the fun! Runners will start at 6:30pm Saturday, Oct. 25 at Tussey Mountain and do four 20K loops before heading out on our s50M loop through scenic Rothrock State Forest at prime foliage season. 28 hour limit. Come out for a memorable racing experience and even set a PR or a CR! We still have the 50M race, starting at 7am on Sunday, Oct. 26. Get details and register at tusseymountainback50.com. Why? Just for the hill of it! Proceeds support Jana Marie Foundation.

08/03/2025

Making plans for the 50 miler, the 50-mile relay, or the 50x2=100 miler? Here are some cool visuals to contemplate.

Don't forget: The adventure begins the moment you register! Go here to get in: https://www.tusseymountainback50.com/

AND . . . Volunteer now at https://signup.com/go/mqEFXHs

06/24/2025

How better to welcome summer than with the Eager Seeger Half Marathon on the shaded and rolling roads of Rothrock State Forest? This race is run on Legs 6 through 8 of the Tussey Mountainback's certified 50-mile loop course, with the start at about mile 20 of the loop.

Early temps hinted at high heat for the day as runners gathered for the 13th Eager Seeger Half Marathon, the longest and final run of the 2025 Tussey Teasers Series. The entire route is unpaved forest roads. Runners take on a 3.5+ mile hill near the beginning, and the course includes roadside streams, ridgetop vistas, lots of shade, long, gentle descents, and a few more hills along the way.

Winter Parts took the overall win and first in the non-binary category. The early pace was set by Eric Smith. Winter overtook Eric after the first long ascent and never looked back. Anne Menefee took first in the women’s category, while Gretchen Merce and Emma Maras-Ramassini took second and third. Eric Smith, Justin Waraniak, and Matt Smith placed first, second, and third in the men’s category. Wildlife sightings today included one bear, a rattlesnake, chipmunks, and deer. No one was in any danger.

Katelyn Anderson was the day’s youngest runner at 16, and Robert Crowe the day’s oldest, at 77. Having run all 5 official Tussey Teasers, plus the optional February Teaser #0, Brian Brown won the Tussey Teasers series prize, an ice cream cake from Coldstone Creamery. Congratulations, Brian!

Thanks to all those who made donations today to support Jana Marie Foundation, the beneficiary of this year’s Tussey Mountainback events, which will culminate with the Tussey Mountainback Race Weekend events, Oct. 25–26. Donations can b be made directly using the QR code below. Visit this link for more information on the work of Jana Marie Foundation: https://janamariefoundation.org/

A big thanks is extended to enthusiastic Jana Marie Foundation volunteers Maddie Borden and Christine Hughes for water station staffing. Additional water station staffing and helpful coordination was provided by Dorrie Lisle. Onsite registration, course monitoring, and finish line assistance were provided by Josh Cone, Chuck Kreger, and Tom Lechleitner.

Runners, stay tuned: There are more festive forest frolics coming up! The free Discovery Training Series uses a self-managed group run format on eight Saturday mornings, Aug. 30–Oct. 18, to cover the entire certified 50-mile loop course of the Tussey Mountainback, one scenic chunk at a time. More details to come!

Registration is OPEN for all of the Tussey Mountainback Race Weekend events. This is a perfect time to begin forming your team for the 50-mile relay (teams of 2 to 8 runners cover the 12 legs of the course) or preparing for your own half marathon or ultramarathon race (50K, 50 miles, or 100 miles). Choose your event and register at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123464.

We look forward to seeing you soon – just for the hill of it!

06/19/2025

A Sunday hill? Lace up for the (free) Eager Seeger Half Marathon, set for this Sunday, June 22, at Alan Seeger Natural Area in Rothrock State Forest. The weather is expected to be warm and dry. Hey, it’s summer!

Do you yearn for a long hill with several false crests? The Eager Seeger doesn't hold back - it starts with a 3.5-mile ascent. There are later bumps and some gentle downhills on the backside (not yours) and some blissful shaded segments.

Register on race day or at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123575

Details:

Start time: The race will begin at 8am. Plan to arrive by 7:30am to park and get your bib number. If you have not been to Alan Seeger Natural Area before, allow yourself extra time to travel there.

Start location: Parking and the start line are at the intersection of Stone Creek Road and Seeger Road. If you drive from Tussey Mountain, head up Bear Meadows Road all the way to where it T’s into Stone Creek Road, turn left onto Stone Creek Road, keep going east (go past the gravel parking lot on the left) on Stone Creek Road for about ¼ mile and you’ll see a road on the right and a pavilion. This is the parking area and the start line. You can also access Stone Creek Road from SR 322 on the east and from SR 26 on the west.

Rest rooms and overflow parking: Rest rooms and overflow parking are available ¼ mile west of the start at the gravel lot.

Water stations: There are three staffed water stations on the course, at approximately 4, 7, and 11 miles. Thank the generous volunteers from Jana Marie Foundation!

Course and marking: The course will be marked with flour. All miles and all turns will be marked. The course begins on Seeger Road, then goes left on Kettle Road, left again on Cooper’s Gap Road, and left again on Stone Creek Road. The finish line is on Stone Creek Road. When you finish, you will be about ½ mile from the start and the pavilion and a cool water creek to dip in. We will have water at the finish line.

Awards: Four runners have completed the first four races of this Tussey Teasers series. When they complete this race, they will receive a special gift card and a drawing will determine which of these runners will receive the series grand prize. There will also be some random prizes given out.

Shoes: Bring your gently used retired running shoes (tie each pair together) for collection for reuse through Sneakers4Good.

Donations: Donations can be made at the race to support Jana Marie Foundation, the 2025 beneficiary of the Tussey Mountainback. Thank you for your generosity!

We’ll see you soon – Just for the hill of it!

06/09/2025

Sunday saw the 21st annual Treaster Kettle Test-Your-Mettle 10.6 Miler (a.k.a. Tussey Teaser #4) at Colyer Lake. This is the 11th of the 12 road segments that make up the certified 50-mile loop of the Tussey Mountainback in Central Pennsylvania's Rothrock State Forest.

METTLE – vigor and strength of spirit or temperament; staying quality

Like the last three years, cooler-than-usual temps greeted the runners gathered at Colyer Lake for this race.

Justin Waraniak, last year’s winner, was eclipsed by Dylan Cowell, by just 9 seconds, for the win, with Sean Devlin representing third in the men’s category. Anne Menefee took fourth overall and first in the women's category, with Ashley Causer and Julia Benson placing second and third.

Four runners, Ben Ahlswede, Brian Brown, Alicia Hare, and Patrick Sabol have run all of the “official” Tussey Teasers #1 through #4 so far, and Ben and Alicia also ran February’s “bonus” Teaser #0. All four will be eligible to receive a special prize and one of them will receive the grand prize to be awarded on June 22 after completing the final Teaser, the Eager Seeger Half Marathon.

Thanks to all who made donations in support of Jana Marie Foundation! We appreciate your generosity!

The foundation’s staff members Christine Hughes and Hannah Brewster enthusiastically staffed the water station at the turnaround at Bear Meadows. Big thanks also to Davis Michael for providing support at the course’s midpoint water station.

The final Tussey Teaser of the season, the Eager Seeger Half Marathon, will take place on June 22 at Alan Seeger Natural Area. To register, visit https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123575

Registration is also OPEN for the Tussey Mountainback’s Race Weekend events, set to take place Oct. 25–26. You can register for your event at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123464

We hope to see you on June 22 – just for the hill of it!

06/07/2025

What adventure do you have planned for Sunday, June 8? Runners age 15 to 77 will be running the Treaster Kettle Test-Your-Mettle 10.6 Miler at Colyer Lake in Central Pennsylvania's Rothrock State Forest. You can be among them. The race is FREE. Water stations and timing are provided, random prizes will be awarded.

This race takes place on Leg 11 of the Tussey Mountainback's 12-segment, certified 50-mile loop course. This is an amazing way and an amazing place to train for your next adventure, or train for the Tussey Mountainback Race Weekend, Oct. 25-26. Race Weekend events include a half marathon, 50-mile team relay (for 2 to 8 runners), three ultramarathon options (100 miles, 50 miles, 50 kilometers), and a kids' mile (for up to age 12). Registration is available at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123464

Footnotes for race day:

The race begins at 8am. Plan to check in or register to get your bib by 7:30am at the parking lot of Colyer Lake on Lake Road.

Find those retired running shoes, tie them together, and bring them to the race. We'll save them from the landfill through Sneakers4Good.

You can also make a donation to support Jana Marie Foundation, the nonprofit beneficiary of this year's Tussey Mountainback events, at the race. Thank you for your generosity!

Now, why do this race? Just for the hill of it!

See you soon!

Register Now!

05/31/2025

Are you ready to celebrate summer? June 22 is the perfect day, and the (free) Eager Seeger Half Marathon in Rothrock State Forest is the perfect way.

The race features a scenic loop course with lots of shade and includes a 3.5-mile hill that everyone talks about and plenty of flat and gentle downhill sections that many runners quickly forget about.

We’re also offering ESHM race shirts for this year’s race. The shirt will document your accomplishment as a runner (or volunteer), and all proceeds from the shirt will support Jana Marie Foundation, the 2025 beneficiary of the Tussey Mountainback’s events.

There is no entry fee for the race. The ESHM performance shirt is available in men’s, women’s, and youth sizes. The cost is $10.

We need to hear from you soon to place this shirt order! Send a note with your size request by June 6 to tusseymountainback50@gmail.com reserve your shirt(s). You can pay by Venmo, cash or check. The Venmo address is . To pay by cash or check, send us an email with your desired shirt size and bring your payment to the race on either June 8 (Treaster Kettle Test-Your-Mettle 10.6 Miler) or June 22.

For the race, we’ll provide course marking, water stations, and random prizes. We’ll distribute your shirt on race morning at the Eager Seeger race.

Below is a glimpse of this year’s shirt. Local runner Marty Mazur’s witty ditty is on the back!

At the next two Tussey Teaser races we’ll also accept donations supporting Jana Marie Foundation. Thank you for your generosity!

You can register today for the Eager Seeger Half Marathon race at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123575.

Plan to do the Seeger and get your shirt! Why? Just for the hill of it!

05/28/2025

Have you got mettle? Of course. Did you test it recently? Put June 8 on your calendars and plan to do the Treaster Kettle Test-Your-Mettle 10.6 Miler on Treaster Kettle Road in Rothrock State Forest. Did we mention it's FREE? Start and finish at Colyer Lake (Lake Road parking lot). The start is at 8am. Be there early to get your bib number. Water stations, timing and random prizes will be provided.

Sign up now at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123571 or the morning of the race.

This out-and-back race takes place on Leg 11 of the Tussey Mountainback's certified 50-mile loop course. It includes a 1/2 mile hill around mile 4 that many ultramarathoners opt to walk up. This is a great trainer for whatever you're preparing for, including the Tussey Mountainback's Race Weekend races, Oct. 25-26, 2025. Register for these events at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123464

Pull those retired running shoes from your closet and bring them with you for reuse through Sneakers4Good. You can also make a cash donation in support of Jana Marie Foundation, our 2025 race beneficiary.

05/08/2025

So you're getting some miles in this spring. Fab! Have you tested your mettle yet? The June 8 Treaster Kettle Test-Your-Mettle 10.6 Miler is a perfect way to do just that, combining lush scenery and shade with rolling forest hills. It's free. Register now at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123571

Register Now!

05/07/2025

22nd Annual Beidleheimer Sidewinder 10K & 20K
(Tussey Teaser #3), Whipple Dam State Park, Rothrock State Forest
May 3, 2025

This Rothrock State Forest race gives runners the option of turning the challenging Leg 4 of the Tussey Mountainback’s 50-mile course into a full out and back for 20K – including the ominous 1.6-mile hill near mile 4 – or turning around at the halfway point to make a still galvanizing 10K run. This was the eighth time featuring the out-and-back route for the 10K and 20K distance.

A gentle drizzle had settled in at post time this morning (this was also Derby day), but sunshine and blue skies eventually arrived. A large tree down at mile 4.8 halted fully marking the course before the start, but it was soon removed thanks to a local neighbor’s quick response.

Patrick Sabol dueled with Eric Sugtherland in the 10K, eventually slipping in a 4-second margin for the win. Emily Swartzentruber won the women’s category.

In the 20K, Eric Smith took the overall win, with Anne Menefee edging out John Peters for second overall. Ben Ahlswede took third in the men’s category, and Diane Swauger and Regina Lozinski took second and third in the women’s category. Extra kudos to Diane, who had run the Jim Thorpe Marathon just 6 days ago.

With WMA adjusted results, many runners’ times improved. Eric Sutherland won the 10K and Rob Crowe took second in the 20K race. Congrats to all who took part!

Thanks to Josh Cone and Scott Etter for registration and finish line assistance, and to Dorrie Lisle for water station support.

Runners contributed $60 in donations to Jana Marie Foundation. Thank you! We also collected several pairs of gently used running shoes. You can bring yours to the next race!

A number of runners received random prizes from Doan’s Bones and Meyer Dairy.

The next (free) Tussey Teaser is June 8, the Treaster Kettle Test-Your-Mettle 10.6 Miler, an out-and-back on Leg 11 of the Tussey Mountainback’s 50-mile single-loop course. Note that this race will have an earlier start time, 8:00 a.m., with start and finish at Colyer Lake. You can register at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123571.

Now is a great time to plan your relay team or solo run for the Tussey Mountainback Race Weekend, Oct. 25-26! Registration is open at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123464.

Race Weekend events include:
• Half Marathon
• 50-mile relay (2-8 runners)
• 50K Ultramarathon
• 50 Mile Ultramarathon
• 100 Mile Ultramarathon
• Kids’ Mile