You can race hard, experiment strategically, or keep things relaxed. Some runners will chase every bonus, others will stick to the trail. Both approaches are encouraged.

No rush here - generous cutoff, and we won’t pack up until you finish.

LENGTH: Half-marathon–ish (with strategy-driven twists)
DISCIPLINES: Trail Running • Strategy • Optional Off-Trail Travel
DISTANCES: Core route is 13.1 miles; visiting all 10 optional checkpoints pushes total mileage closer to ~15 miles.
CHECKPOINTS: 10 total, each with an assigned time bonus

WHERE: Paintsville Lake State Park, KY
WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 2026
WHO: Open to runners of all experience levels - no navigation background needed

THE COURSE:
This is a thinking runner’s race. You’ll follow a fully marked trail with mile markers, while optional off-trail checkpoints offer time bonuses that reward smart decisions. Attack points to those checkpoints are clearly flagged in the field and designed to add strategy - not stress. Bonuses will be known, navigation is simple; how you choose to run the course is the real challenge.

THE TWIST:
Right before the start, two checkpoints will be randomly drawn from the ten total and declared mandatory. These two must be visited to avoid penalties - they don’t earn time bonuses, but skipping either one converts its bonus into a time penalty instead!

Everything else is up to you. Chase extra checkpoints for bonuses, play it safe, take a few smart risks or just run a trail-half if that’s your thing!

Registration Includes:
Race-branded cooling neck gaiter (buff)
A fully marked trail course with clear mile markers
Ten thoughtfully placed checkpoints with time bonuses
Clearly flagged attack points for optional off-trail routes
Post-race meal: soup beans and taters, Ramble-style
Aid station support at the half-way point
“I Did Something Cool” commemorative sticker
A relaxed, low-pressure race atmosphere built to try something new

• You’ll decide whether to chase time bonuses, when to step off trail, and how much risk you want to take.