Ghost Town Trail Challenge

Spend the day with us on the 2020 Trail of the Year, and partake in the 11th annual Ghost Town Trail Challenge!
*New 50-miler option available to runners only

 

Friends of the Trails Members Receive $5 OFF!
To receive a $5 discount on your registration fee for The Ghost Town Trail Challenge, become a Friend of the Trails today. Visit our website to become a member, then send an email to [email protected] to get your coupon code! All memberships go toward enhancing, expanding, and maintaining the Ghost Town Trail, Jim Mayer Riverswalk, and the Path of the Flood Trail.

 

The Challenge
The 11th Annual Ghost Town Trail Challenge, hosted by the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority, will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2026. This is during the weekend of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The Challenge is known for its 32-mile long (50k), endurance hike/run along the entire length of the Ghost Town Trail, DCNR's 2020 Trail of the Year, from Black Lick, PA to Ebensburg, PA. Participants begin at sunrise and are challenged to complete the entire 32 miles by foot before sundown. This is not a race, but rather a challenge, which tests your mental and physical ability to journey this distance. The Challenge starts at Saylor Park in Black Lick, PA and ends 32 miles later at the Young People's Community Center in Ebensburg, PA.

There are four Challenge events to choose from on June 20th, all taking place on The Ghost Town Trail:

• 50-Miler Run (50 Miles - Runners Only) - It begins at 6:15 a.m. near the Dilltown Trailhead and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg.

- Full Challenge (32 Miles - 50k) - It begins at 7:00 a.m. at Saylor Park in Black Lick and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg.
- Half Challenge (16 Miles - 25k) - It begins at 8:00 a.m. near the Wehrum Trailhead and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg.
- Friends/Family Challenge (7.5 Miles - 12k) - It begins at 8:45 a.m. at the Nanty Glo Trailhead and ends at the YPCC.

Transportation will be provided for participants from the finish line in Ebensburg, PA to their respective starting areas, more information below. If you are planning to transport yourself to your start line that morning, please email [email protected] by June 6, 2026, so that the proper amount of buses can be reserved.

If you are considering attempting the 50k but have never participated in an endurance hike/run, we suggest starting with the 25k.

There are cut off times at each aid station for the 50k and 50-miler, please see further down the page for more information.

 

Schedule

50-Miler Run:
5:10 a.m. - 5:20 a.m. Shuttle loading time for 50-Miler Run participants in Ebensburg, PA, promptly leaving at 5:20 a.m.
6:00 a.m. Pre-race announcements at Dilltown Trailhead (7452 Route 403 Highway, Dilltown, PA)
6:15 a.m. Begin 50-Miler Run

50k:
5:40 a.m. - 5:50 a.m. Shuttle loading time for 50k participants in Ebensburg, PA, promptly leaving at 5:50 a.m.
6:50 a.m.Pre-race announcements at Saylor Park (1284 Old Indiana Rd. Blairsville, PA 15717)
7:00 a.m. Begin Full 32-mile GTT Challenge

25k:
6:50 a.m. - 7:10 a.m. Shuttle loading time for 25k participants in Ebenbsurg, PA, promptly leaving at 7:10 a.m.
7:55 a.m. Pre-race announcements at Wehrum Trail Head (2415 Wehrum Road, Vintondale, PA 15961)
8:00 a.m. Begin Half 16-mile GTT Challenge

12k:
8:00 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. Shuttle loading time for 12k participants in Ebensburg, PA, promptly leaving at 8:10 a.m.
8:40 a.m. Pre-race announcements at Nanty Glo Trail Head (1097 1st Street, Nanty Glo, PA 15943)
8:45 a.m. Begin Friends/Family 7.5-mile GTT Challenge

The GTT Challenge for all distances finishes at the Young People's Community Center in Ebensburg, PA.

 

Challenge Proceeds
ALL proceeds from the Ghost Town Trail Challenge will benefit the enhancement and expansion of the Cambria County Trails. The 2026 Cambria County Trails Series and our Friends of the Trails Membership program provide sustainable funding for improved trail accessibility, beautification, and extension projects on the Ghost Town Trail, the Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail, and the Path of the Flood Trail. 

 

Registration Fees
REGISTRATION ENDS JUNE 6TH AT MIDNIGHT - NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION - NO BIB TRANSFERS
*All pre-registered participants receve transportation, aid station amenities, post race meal, and race swag with their registration. You must ADD-ON purchase either a unisex t-shirt or ladies tank top during check out to have one made for you. Ruckers are given the opportunity to purchase a unique custom made ruck patch.

All finishers will receive a finishers medal. Shirts and race swag must be picked up at packet pick-up, they will not be mailed.

WE DO NOT ISSUE REFUNDS. If you are no longer able to attend and have already registered, your registration fee will be used as a donation to the trails.

January 1 - February 28 (Early Bird)
$80.00 - 50-Miler (RUN ONLY)

$60.00 - 50k (Full 32 Mile Challenge)

$50.00 - 25k (Half/16 Mile Challenge)

$45.00 - 12k (Friends/Family 7.5 Mile Challenge)
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March 1 - April 30
$85.00 - 50-Miler (RUN ONLY)

$65.00 - 50k (Full 32 Mile Challenge)

$55.00 - 25k (Half/16 Mile Challenge)

$50.00 - 12k (Friends/Family 7.5 Mile Challenge)
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May 1 - June 6
$90.00 - 50-Miler (RUN ONLY)

$70.00 - 50k (Full 32 Mile Challenge)

$60.00 - 25k (Half/16 Mile Challenge)

$55.00 - 12k (Friends/Family 7.5 Mile Challenge)

ALL YOUTH 17 AND UNDER PARTICIPATE FREE but must still add-on the purchase of a shirt at check out if one is desired.

 

Swag/Goodies
All pre-registered participants will receive transportation, aid station amenities, post race meal, and race swag with their registration. You MUST add-on purchase either a unisex t-shirt or ladies tank top during check out to have one made for you. Ruckers are given the opportunity to purchase a unique custom made ruck patch. All finishers will receive a finishers medal.

Shirts and race swag must be picked up at packet pick-up, they will not be mailed.

 

Ruck Information
Patches will be available for those that are rucking the Challenge, and must be purchased for $20 as an add-on item during checkout. These are custom made Ghost Town Trail Challenge patches that will be distributed at packet pick up.

RUCK INFORMATION: Learn more at https://www.goruck.com/rucking-101.

Requirements: Wear a Ruck/backpack with the standard weight of 10# for participants 150 lbs. and under, and 20# for those over 150 lbs. No participants will be weighed, weight requirements are on the honor system.

 

Packet Pick-Up
Packet pick-up will be Friday, June 19th from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Up-N-Running store in Ebensburg, PA. *Due to race morning logistics, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to arrive early if you plan to pick up your packet race morning. The buses leave on time, so please don't miss your ride! Pick-up will be available at the Ebensburg trailhead where buses are loading.

Up-N-Running
208 W. High St.
Ebensburg, PA 15931

*We do NOT hold packets that are not picked up prior to the event start. Any shirts or swag left behind from packets that are not picked up are fair game for purchase by other participants.

 

Aid/Fuel Stations
First aid via bicycling patrollers and EMS will be available at multiple points along the trail. Your safety is our number one priority. We have many drop out of the event mid-way due to heat exhaustion, dehydration and blistering. Please be vocal with our first responders if you are feeling any different than usual, they are there to help you finish safely. A van will be available for those unable to complete the challenge.

*FOR THE 50K/25K/12K*
There will be 5 Aid/Fuel stations spaced out every 5-6 miles, complete with refuel food, gatorade, water, soda, and First Aid, for participants of every event along the entire 32 Miles of The Ghost Town Trail. *Mileages below are based off of the 32 mile Full Challenge from Blairsville (Mile 0) to Ebensburg (Mile 32). We will add water at Twin Rocks (mile 23) if necessary due to temperatures anticipated that day.

Mile 6.5 – Heshbon Rd. Trailhead
Mile 13 – Dilltown Trailhead
Mile 19 – Vintondale Trailhead
Mile 25 – Nanty Glo Trailhead
Mile 29 – Beulah Rd.
Mile 32 – YPCC Trailhead (Ebensburg) – Finish Line