Course

Terrain

Beginning in Luciana Park, by the Starrucca Viaduct in Lanesboro, PA, the course is a somewhat challenging series of out-and-back laps, mostly on stony, unimproved rail trail. Although four-wheeler traffic has made two nice gravel tracks along much of the course, rocks are impossible to avoid in some places. Because of the many rocky sections, decent trail-running shoes are probably the best option. Gaiters can help to keep out the gravel and cinders.

The overall elevation change is gradual, and there are two dips where trestles (bridges) used to be. Including the hills in Lanesboro and Bucks Falls, the total elevation change is about 1000 feet for each lap. From the start to the turnaround, it's up, and it's down for the return. The course map has a profile graph below it.

Road Crossings

If you're bringing a crew or taking the risk of putting stuff out ahead of time, road crossings are listed in the table. 

Cellphone service

In past years there has been practically no cell service at all along the course. A text can sometimes get through, if you keep moving for a while. Cellphones do usually work at the start/finish.

Weather

The daytime high temperatures are usually in the range of 70 to 100 degrees F. The day is likely to be humid. During midday hours, significant periods of direct sunlight will be unavoidable. Please bring lots of fluids and salts. In the weeks before the race, heat training or midday running will likely improve your results.

During the morning, late afternoon, and evening, the trees make it shady. At night, the temperature generally drops about 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit from what it was during the day. Clear nights will be cooler than cloudy ones.

Plan on wearing summer running attire during the day and mild-winter gear for the night. Don't make the big mistake of being in the dark without at least a jacket.

Wildlife

Wildlife encountered in past Viaduct Ultras: bees, biting flies, black bears, off-leash dogs, whitetail deer, ducks, hawks, turkeys, crows, bluebirds, squirrels, chipmunks, bunnies, newts, bats, millipedes, and a skunk that mercifully let runners pass unmarked. Not yet encountered but possible: bobcats, coyotes, owls, rattlesnakes, eagles, and many others.

Although we have yet to have a serious animal-caused injury, carrying pepper spray and bee-sting stick are smart self-defense options. Just don't try to mace the bees.

Facilities

There are permanent outdoor pit toilets in Luciana Park, near the start/finish. For any unplanned stops along the course, make sure that you're well off the trail and use good wilderness techniques to cover it all up.

Getting Here

GPS coordinates for the start/finish:

     41.965349,-75.582744

Here are some driving directions:

From Thompson, PA (the town nearest to the course turnaround):

• 1. Take Route 171 North for about 8 miles to a stop sign in Lanesboro. At that intersection, you'll see a huge bridge arching over you.

  2. Make a right at that stop sign onto Main Street, and then go about a half mile.

  3. Make a left over a small bridge (toward Windsor) to continue on Main Street.

  4. Immediately after that small bridge, turn right onto Tannery Road.

  5. Go under the viaduct arches, turn left to drive along the arches, and then take a soft right to go down a little hill and into Luciana Park.

From Route 81:

• 1. From Route 81, exit onto 171 South and drive through Susquehanna, to Lanesboro.

  2. When you reach Lanesboro and see a huge arching bridge over you, go straight to stay on Main Street. Go about a half mile.

  3. Make a left over a small bridge (toward Windsor) to continue on Main Street.

  4. Immediately after that small bridge, turn right onto Tannery Road.

  5. Go under the viaduct arches, turn left to drive along the arches, and then take a soft right to go down a little hill and into Luciana Park.

The nearest major airport is Scranton/Wilkes-Barre International. There's also an airport in Binghamton, NY.