Settled deep within Green Ridge State Forest’s 48,000-plus acres, Fire on the Mountain Ultra Marathon measures approximately 32.8 miles and features an out-and-back course style similar to the beloved Catoctin 50K. And…our Race Director (RD) says this course doesn’t run like any ol’ “out-and-back” course, because the experience in the reverse direction, especially the final quarter of the race, is a whole different experience than the first quarter of the race. Come on out and try a training run if you don’t believe it.

“Anyone who has not run the red trail in reverse direction might understandably think, at least at first, that it’s a boring out-and-back deal,” Kevin Spradlin said. “But the red trail in particular is a very different sort of adventure going back then going towards the midway point. There’s plenty of, ‘hold-onto-that-tree’ moments as well as, ‘I-have-to-climb-this?’ and ‘is-that-the-trail?'”

And then, of course, there’s that last mile.

Directions

• Directions to parking area/finish line. Click for Google map here.

• Take Exit 68 off I-68.

• Take Orleans Road South for a total of about 5.7 miles (bear right at sign for Bill’s Place).

• Cross low-water bridge.

• Turn right off of bridge onto Oldtown Orleans Road.

• Stay on Oldtown Orleans Road for about 2.7 miles to reach Carroll Road.

• Park in grassy field across from Carroll Road – or follow directions of event staff.

• It will be DARK on race morning. Drive slowly and pay attention.

Drop bag info:
You will bring your own drop bag and put it into a designated vehicle on race morning. The bags will be available at Aid Station 4 (mile 16.4, the “oasis”). Don’t put car keys in the bags! The bags might not beat you to the finish line. And if you forget to pick up your drop bag and request us to mail it (if we can find it), you will incur the wrath of the Race Director. It takes not only money, but time, and sometimes that’s difficult to come by in a household of five children.