Tussey Mountainback half marathon
Course Description
The 21 kilometer course begins at the same start line as the other races and finishes at the same finish line at the Tussey Mountain ski area. You will enjoy 400 meters of climbing and descending as you go around the mountain. For the first 5.9 km you will be running your own course. After the first aid station, you will join the 50km runners as they finish the last 14km of their race. There are three aid stations on the course, about every five kilometers.
half marathon map
(Click map to enlarge)
leg 1
Start to North Meadows Road
leg 1 length: 5.86 km
Running Total 5.86 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Topography:
Steady 160 m climb
The 21k begins with a 5.9 km run up Bear Meadows Road, which is paved for the majority of its length. Be mindful of traffic and critters. At the gated intersection with North Meadows Road, runners will find their initial aid station. This station, number eleven, is the same one used by the 50 mile and 50 kilometer runners. At this station, runners will turn right onto North Meadows road. From this point onward, you will follow the same course as the 50km runners. Note that the other runners will be approaching from a different direction.
leg 2
north meadows rd to aid station 50k
Leg 2 length: 4.94 km
Running Total 10.8 km
Difficulty: moderate
Topography:
Steady 170 m climb
Leg 2 begins at the North Meadows aid station. Enter the gate to North Meadows Road and continue until it meets Gettis Ridge Road at the top. Turn to the right and follow the road through the gate onto Bear Gap Road. The aid station is at the gate. Note that North Meadows Road is closed to all traffic. It is almost a 10 mile drive between the ends of the road, but only a 3 mile run.
leg 3
Aid Station 50k to Aid Station One
Leg 3 length: 4.4 km
Running Total 15.2 km
Difficulty: moderate
Topography:
Steep descent (150 m) and a climb (70 m)
Leaving aid station 50k, turn right and start along Bear Gap Road. You might enjoy the steep descent, or your quads might complain a wee bit. In any event, turn right at the bottom and join Laurel Run Road. Fear not, you are nearly at aid station number one.
leg 4
Aid Station One to finish
Leg 4 length: 5.3 km
Running Total 20.5 km
Difficulty: easy
Topography:
Steady descent for 200 m
This is your last leg. From the top of the hill at the aid station, simply follow Laurel Run Road downhill on the well trodden track. At the stream crossing, turn left onto paved Bear Meadows Road and follow it back to the finish line. As you approach the ski slopes, you will turn hard left through the field to the finish line. Ponder the 50 mile and 50 km runners who started their day running up this long stretch.