15K Course Description

At a little more than half the size of the 25K Green Monster Trail Challenge, the Mini Monster is a tough 9.3 mile course.

The race begins with 1.0 mile warm-up on Straight Run Road before reaching the Green Monster trail head on Straight Run Trail. Here you will begin a 1000ft ascent on Deer Trail, which is a single track trail that ascends up the face of Mt. Nesmuk. After your climb, turn left on Stone Road, and enjoy a casual 1.5 mile stride along the mountain top to the first aid station (only water & gatorade).

After refueling, head down the fast paced Jim Close Trail, crossing Straight Run Road and merging onto Birchstill Trail. Birchstill Trail is a scenic single track ascent named after old birch stills once located in the area, thus bringing you to the second aid station at Broad Ridge.

Continuing across Broad Ridge, prepare yourself for the only descent, good or bad, that you may remember for the day. Frankenstein’s Forehead is a 800ft technical descent into the Straight Run stream system that will have you cursing the race director by the time you reach the bottom. Here you will find the GM15K/GM50K split, turn left onto Straight Run Trail, this is your reward for pushing yourself as hard as you did. Wind down through the scenic Straight Run Trail system crossing several streams. Turn right onto Straight Run Road with a sprint to the finish!