DECEMBER 21, 2024
Sassquad Trail Running and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference are proud to present the Squatchy Solstice 5K at the Hilltop Reservation in Cedar Grove, NJ!
TRAIL PARTY DETAILS
SQUATCHY ONESIEFEST 5K
Join us at 9am on Saturday December 21, 2024 for this squatchtastic 5K on the shortest day of the year. Your race registration is directly helping the Trail Conference maintain the trails that we will be using for the Trail Party.
CHARITY PARTNER
We are proud to partner with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference! The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains, and protects public trails.
REGISTRATION
5K - $35 (+$5.18 UltraSignUp fees/taxes)
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WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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Bib & safety pins
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Swag item
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Handcrafted Finishers' Medal
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Awards for top 3 male, female and non-binary (must be wearing a onesie to earn post-race awards!)
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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Check-in between 8:15am-8:45am.
9am start
No cut-off! The course closes when our last hiker finishes.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This trail party starts and finishes at the Robert J. O'Toole Community Center in Cedar Grove. Once that parking lot fills up, overflow will be directed to the Verona Community Pool, a half of a mile from the start/finish. There are portajohns in the community center parking lot,
The Squatchy Solstice 5K is a scenic tour of the Hilltop Reservation.that highlights the Second Watchung Mountain in Essex County, NJ. The preserved ridgeline is composed of lands formerly included in the grounds of the Essex Mountain Sanatorium, a hospital originally constructed in the early 1900s. This is not a flat course and is mostly hilly (hence the name Hilltop!) singletracks with rocks and roots. We will provide a detailed trail conditions report during race week!We will provide a detailed trail conditions report leading up to the race and include any recommendations for winter traction (spikes). Trekking poles are allowed at all of our events.
COURSE MARKINGS
The course will be well-marked with neon pink/reflective ribbon. We have large red directional arrows at each of the turns. To learn more about how we mark the course and what the ribbons and signs look like, squatch on over to the Sassquad Trail School ​to watch the information video about our course markings!
VOLUNTEER DREAM TEAM
Our Volunteer Dream Team is what makes all of the Trail Magic happen! Join us as a Volunteer at this trail party as we support our squatchtastic running community. We have many Volunteer opportunities available such as Check-In, Aid Station Crew, Course Sweepers etc. Click here to Volunteer!
GETTING TO THE RACE
This trail party starts and finishes at the NYNJTC Headquarters. When you get to the park, please park in the PARK PARKING LOT. The small lot at Headquarters is reserved for NYNJTC staff only. There is a short path through the woods that connects the two lots. We will have check-in at the NYNJTC Headquarters so you can hang out there before and after the race.
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Interested in carpooling? Check out the Sassquad Carpool Assist Program!
Q: What's the weather like in Mahwah, NJ in February?
A: I'll explain and I'll use small words so you'll be sure to understand, you warthog faced buffoon. It will be cold. Probably. Maybe. It could be warm. Check the weather before the race and dress appropriately.
Q: What food will you have at the aid station?
A: MLT – mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwichs. And miracle pills. The chocolate coating makes it go down easier. But you have to wait fifteen minutes for full potency. And you shouldn’t go in swimming after, for at least an hour........... No miracle pills. But we will have water (please BYO-cup/bottle!!) pre-packaged single-servings snacks for after the race.
Q: Can I sign my kids up for the Onesie Fest?
A: Yes! We want the WHOLE family to come out to our events! We have a special discount code for families registering 3 or more Squatches in the same household. Please email us (trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com) before you register so we can give you the code! Once you have the code, be sure to register your child separately and agree to the waiver for minors. And make sure to keep track of little Westley and Buttercup before during and after the race. We only have 1 search-party and they're already out there looking for Sasquatch.
Q: This will be my first trail race. What do I need to know?
A: Inconceivable... You fell victim to one of the classic blunders—the most famous of which is, “Never get involved in a land war in Asia”—but only slightly less well-known is this: “Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line”! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha…........ But seriously, we are SO EXCITED that you are choosing a Sassquad event for your first trail race! This is the perfect intro event as the trails are not very difficult. Come ready to have a great time and meet some awesome people!
Q: Can I have a pacer?
A: As with all of our events, Squatchers over the age of 60 and AWD (athletes with disabilities) can have a pacer/guide at any time. Please fill out the pacer registration form ahead of time and be sure to pick-up a pacer bib during check-in! Pacers are not allowed for other runners and hikers without prior approval from the Trail Party Director.
Q: Are there restrooms at the start/finish area?
​A: There are restrooms in the Reservation Parking Lot. Use those before you check-in!
Q: I could get lost in a brown paper bag. Will the course be marked?
A: We will have bright colored ribbons along the course and plenty at all of the turns.
Q: What is the course like?
A: VERY MELLOW! There's a little bit of singletrack in the beginning (less than 1/4 mi) and then the rest is packed dirt on a doublewide trail.
Q: I can't come to the Trail Party anymore, can I get a refund?
A: Like many other race organizations, we do not offer refunds for our events. Please take the time to double check your calendar before registering for a Trail Party. Please understand that we do not offer refunds under any circumstances. If you notify us via email (not through social media, text or phone call) more than 45 days from the date of the Trail Party, we will extend a deferral to any of our events that fall within one calendar year of the Trail Party that you were registered for. If you sustain an injury less than 45 days from the race date, we will extend a deferral if you come to that race to volunteer for at least 4 hours. The race credit is the amount that you paid for the race (not including UltraSignUp fees) so you will need to cover any difference in fees; refunds will not be issued if the deferred event costs less than your race credit. You can only defer one time so please doublecheck that you can make the race you're deferring to.
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: No, our insurance policy does not cover dogs at any of our events. Thank you for understanding!
​Q: Me and my friend aren't registered for the race, but we're still planning on coming to run. We won't eat from the aid station or take a medal or swag. This is okay, right?
A: NO THIS IS NOT OKAY. This is called being a "race bandit" and it is stealing. Not paying for a race and running the race is stealing from the race organization (even if you're not taking food or swag). Don't do this at a Sassquad trail party or ANY other race. It's not okay. And if you hear about someone else doing this, call them out. If you bandit a race, you will be banned from registering for any of our Sassquad events.