Chip timing is being provided this year by Falcon Race Timing of Northumberland, PA. Results will be available shortly after the race at Falcon’s website, linked above. Results will also be posted on this website.
14-Miler
Start Line – Breast of the Dam (water, replenisher, portajohns)
Mile 3 – Fifficktown Trailhead (water, replenisher, portajohns)
Mile 6 – Staple Bend Tunnel Parking Area (water, replenisher, restrooms)
Mile 9 – Coy/McCombie Link (water, replenisher, oranges, bananas, pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers)
Mile 11 – Strank Bridge Underpass (water, replenisher, portajohns)
Mile 13 – Hope Tunnel (water, replenisher, oranges, bananas, pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers)
8-Miler (please note that the mile markers on the course will not appear as the list below)
Start Line – Staple Bend Tunnel Parking Area (water, replenisher, restrooms)
Mile 3 – Coy/McCombie Link (water, replenisher, oranges, bananas, pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers)
Mile 5 – Strank Bridge Underpass (water, replenisher, portajohns)
Mile 7 – Hope Tunnel (water, replenisher, oranges, bananas, pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers)
5k (please note that the mile markers on the course will not appear as the list below)
Start Line– Strank Bridge Underpass (water, replenisher, portajohns)
Mile 2 – Hope Tunnel (water, replenisher, oranges, bananas, pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers)
14 miler. The 2026 14 Miler course will be nearly all crushed gravel (rails to trails) surfaces from its beginnings at the base of the dam ruins with lengths of pavement to connect them. Although the flood waters of the Little Conemaugh Rive all ran “downhill,” there will be portions of the course that will ascend to accommodate the trail’s adaptation to terrain. Of note, climbs around the 0.25 mile mark and then from the Stineman section of the trail leading to and beyond the first mile, the west side of Staple Bend Tunnel on the Coy/McCombie Link and the Trolley Line extension from East Conemaugh to Woodvale Heights at Mile 11.5!
8 miler. The 8 Miler course is roughly a fifty-fifty combination of crushed gravel (rails to trails) and paved road surfaces. Runners will have a smooth start to and through the Staple Bend Tunnel before a healthy, but short, series of climbs to regain the hillside before heading into the halfway mark. The 5K description applies for the remainder of the course.
5k. The 5k race will start in East Conemaugh and traverse the recently completed Trolley Line extension from East Conemaugh to Woodvale Heights. This shaded trail will challenge all participants with a steady, shaded climb on one of Johnstown’s historic trolley cut outs, a flat traverse with never-before-seen views of town and the surrounding area, and a challenging switchback ascent to Woodvale Heights. After passing through the “Hope Tunnel,” the course will intercept Clinton Street at Mile 2.0, continue on to Washington Street, cross the Walnut Street Bridge where the finish line will be in sight.
As of March 2026, the Staple Bend Tunnel is closed for safety reasons due to a small rock slide that occurred over the winter. The National Park Service is working hard to reopen the tunnel before May 23. If that is not possible, there will be a minor course change for the 14-mile and 8-mile races — the races will detour around the tunnel, substituting a scenic overlook for the tunnel (the increase in distance is insignificant, 100 yards or so). We appreciate your understanding!
The course will be marked for 2026 with our signature water droplets, arrow signage, mile markers, orange traffic cones and fencing as needed.
There will be EMT support at the 8 miler start/Mile 6 of the 14 miler at the Staple Bend Tunnel parking lot and at the 5K start. There will also be EMT/medical support at the race finish. Each aid station will have basic first aid materials, Vaseline, etc.
