YOUNGSTOWN ULTRA TRAIL CLASSIC

This is the 22nd annual YUTC 25K and 50K 

The Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic is an old school ultramarathon designed by ultramarathon runners.  The 2026 course has returned to its roots.  It is a single-track trail that will test you!  

Ultramarathon runners (and hiking enthusiasts) will appreciate that there are less road surfaces (only one section) and more unimproved trails. This beautiful new course is 95% trails with rocks, roots and short steep hills.  Some of the new areas are remote and seldom used. There is also rugged stream crossing this year!

This race is fun but challenging.  

Mill Creek Park is very scenic and picturesque.  It is located south of Youngstown.  Mill Creek is the second largest urban park in the USA - only Central Park is larger.  It is constructed around three lakes connected by a wide meandering stream with waterfalls and plenty of wildlife.  

There is approximately 1397 feet of elevation gain per 25K loop.  

The 25K course is one loop around Mill Creek Park.  The 50K course is two loops around Mill Creek Park.  

The cutoffs times are very generous for the 25k distance but tougher for the 50K distance.  

Challenge yourself!  

We guarantee that the YUTC 25K and 50K races will provide you with a truly memorable experience.  You will find yourself stopping and snapping photo after photo to share with friends and family.  

The YUTC Course:

The course begins on the west side of the park at the Wick Recreation Area - Bresko Pavilion and travels clockwise around the park.  After rounding the large Lily Pond and reflecting pool, runners will cross over to the trails on the west side of the park at the Pioneer Pavilion.    Along the way to Lantermans Mill, runners will traverse the Monkey Hills and the long Boardwalk that extends over hill along the gorge before the tall waterfall at the Mill.  Runners will pass the Mill and run through the Covered Bridge crossing to the west side of the stream to the aid station on the other side.

After leaving the aid station, the course travels counter clock wise around Lake Newport.  The course returns to the Covered Bridge and the aid station. 

After leaving the Covered Bridge aid station for the second time, the course travels clockwise toward the finish line using the trails along the far western edge of the park.  Runners will pass the Chestnut Hill Pavilion and the Scholl Recreation Area before returning to the Wick Recreation Area.  

The Finish Line is located uphill at the Bresko Pavilion.

The course will be well marked on race day.  There will be ribbons hanging from the trees and signs indicating turns and water based white paint on the ground with arrows.  

Registration  

1. The race is capped at 250 runners.  125 runners for the 25K and 125 runners for the 50K.

2.  In 2026 - there will continue to be race day signups!

3.  NO transfers for any reason!  Deferments will be permitted in the case of pregnancy and post partum issues.  

4.  NO REFUNDS - NO EXCEPTIONS!  

5.  REGISTRATION NOTE:  Your requested Tee Shirt size will not be guaranteed if your Race Registration is received after 5:00 PM on August 16, 2026.  

Race Day Information 

1.  Packet pickup will begin at 6:15 AM in the parking lot at the Wick Recreation Area near the playground.  (Bib numbers, tee shirts and swag)

2.  There are flush toilets at the new recreation center and the golf office.  Porta-johns and pit toilets are also available nearby.  

NOTE:  the porta-johns will be available even if the new recreation center building is open.    

3. Race starts and finishes at the Wick Recreation Center – Upper Field - near the Bresko Pavilion 

7:30 am start for the 50K runners and end at 4:30PM - Note - 50K runners must leave the start/finish line for their second loop by 12:30 PM.  

8:00 am start for the 25K runners and end at 4:30PM

4. The park will be open.  There will be other visitors in the park.  Please be respectful.  This is especially true for the area around the Lily Pond.  

5.  Please remember that we are guests in Mill Creek Park.  Cause no damage and do not litter.  

Aid Stations

There are two aid stations at the Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic: 

Covered Bridge - you will visit this aid station two times per 25K loop.  The first visit is approximately 5 miles from the start.  The second visit is at approximately 10 miles. 

If you are running the 50K race, you will visit the Covered Bridge Aid Station two more times: at approximately mile 20.5 and approximately 25.5.  

Start/Finish Line - you will visit this once for the 25K race - mile 15.5 - this will be the end of your race.  You visit the start/finish line twice for the 50K race - once at the mile 15.5 (first loop) and at the end of the race 31 miles.  (second loop)

NOTE:  Feminine products will be available at both aid stations.  

Our aid stations are manned by friendly and encouraging volunteers. There will be some packaged food – but we will have mostly fresh cut nutritious fruit, recently made sandwiches, hot cooked foods and snacks.  There will be water, Gatorade, sodas and other drinks 

There will be an after-race party again this year.  We are going to celebrate in the Bresko Pavilion same as 2025.  

We encourage family and friends to join you after you cross the finish line for photos and fellowship.  Last year, the hillside at the finish line was covered with a cheering crowd.  Waving and shouting as the runners valiantly charged up the hill to the finish.   Let's continue this wonderful tradition!

Finisher Awards

In 2026, the finisher's will be a running visor marked with "YUTC 25K 50K" .   A running shirt will be given to all runners during check-in and a finisher's bumper sticker will be awarded at the finish line.  

To be considered a Finisher of YUTC you MUST meet these four conditions:

a.  Start at the correct time for your event at Wick Recreation Area

b.  Complete the entire prescribed course by running, walking or crawling under your own power.  In addition, you MUST complete the course in the correct direction.  

c.  Complete the distance that you are registered to run (You can NOT change distances during the race)

d.  Finish the race for your registered distance by 4:30 PM

NOTE:  There will be two organized orientation/training runs in 2026 starting at Wick Recreation Area at 8:00 AM.  

June 13, 2026

July 18, 2026