Event Guide

Event Guide

Whether you're here for six hours, six days, a Marathon, a 50K or a few hundred miles, here's what you need to know about the course and race-week operations at 3 Days at the Fair.

The Course

3 Days at the Fair takes place on a certified, exactly 1.000-mile loop at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey.

The course is flat and consists primarily of pavement with approximately 5% crushed gravel, making it ideal for everything from a fast Marathon to a multi-day effort.

Course Certifications

1-Mile Course: NJ24025JLW
Marathon: NJ13502JHP — Boston Qualifier
50K: NJ13503JHP

The Marathon uses a special start line to produce the certified 26.2-mile distance. The 50K also uses a special start line for the certified distance.

Boston Qualifier

The certified Marathon course is a Boston Marathon qualifying course.

Runners attempting a Boston qualifying time should be sure they are officially entered in the Marathon event and begin from the designated Marathon start line.

Meeting the applicable Boston Marathon qualifying standard does not guarantee acceptance into the Boston Marathon. Qualifying performances remain subject to the Boston Athletic Association's eligibility, verification and registration requirements.

50 & 100 Mile Splits

One of the advantages of an exactly one-mile course is that there is no mileage conversion to worry about.

50 completed laps = 50 miles
100 completed laps = 100 miles

Official certified 50-mile and 100-mile times can therefore be recorded directly from your completed laps.

Only completed laps count toward your official mileage.

Day & Night Running

The course remains active around the clock throughout the multi-day events.

The entire course is lit at night, so a headlamp is not required.

A live display near the timing area shows runners their completed laps and current position, making it easy to keep track of progress throughout the event.

Race Schedule

The official race clock begins Monday morning and continues through 9:00 AM Sunday. Choose the start that works for your race week. Each event has a primary start, with additional start days available for many distances.

144 Hour

Monday · 9:00 AM

72 Hour

Thursday · 9:00 AM

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday starts are also available.

48 Hour

Friday · 9:00 AM

Monday through Thursday starts are also available.

24 Hour

Saturday · 9:00 AM

Monday through Friday starts are also available.

12 Hour

Saturday · 9:00 AM or 9:00 PM

Monday through Friday starts are also available.

6 Hour

Saturday · 9:00 AM or 6:00 PM

Monday through Friday starts are also available.

The Saturday 6 Hour races finish at either 3:00 PM Saturday or 12:00 AM Sunday.

Marathon & 50K

The Marathon and 50K may be run throughout race week.

Both events use the same loop as the timed races, with a special start line used to establish the certified Marathon and 50K distances.

Marathon and 50K runners may begin with the scheduled timed events and must complete their race before the next scheduled race begins.

Runners must begin at an approved start time. Custom start times are not available.

All events must be completed before the official race clock stops at 9:00 AM Sunday.

Packet Pickup & Timing Chip

Packet pickup and timing-chip pickup take place in the main food and aid-station area beginning one hour before your race starts.

Each runner receives a MyLaps ProChip attached to a Velcro ankle band.

Your chip must be worn whenever you are on the course. It may be removed when you're sleeping, changing or taking a break.

If you take an extended break and leave the fairgrounds, your timing chip must be left at the timing tent.

All timing chips must be returned when your race is finished.

Timing & Lap Counting

Timing is handled using the MyLaps ProChip timing and scoring system.

Each time you complete the loop and cross the timing mat, the system records a split. Because the course is exactly one mile, each completed split represents one completed mile.

Only Completed Laps Count

Partial laps do not count toward your final mileage.

If your race ends while you're somewhere out on the course, only the laps you completed by crossing the timing mat before your event ended will be included in your official total.

Start/Finish & Runner Facilities

The start/finish, timing area, aid station, registration, bathrooms and showers are all located along or immediately adjacent to the one-mile course.

On the course map:

RED — Race course
BLUE STAR — Food, aid station and registration
PURPLE STAR — Bathrooms and showers
PINK STAR — Timing and start/finish

The close proximity of the runner facilities means you're never far from aid, your personal setup or a bathroom during your race.

Aid Station

One aid station serves the course and is open continuously from 9:00 AM Monday through Sunday morning.

Because the course is one mile long, runners return to the main aid-station area every lap.

The aid-station crew prepares a variety of hot and cold foods throughout the event, along with traditional ultrarunning fare.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available throughout the event.

Participants also have access to the kitchen to prepare their own food and may use the walk-in refrigerator. Please notify the Race Director if you would like kitchen access.

When Does My Aid Begin?

Aid-station service begins when your registered race starts, not when you arrive at the fairgrounds.

Aid-station food is provided for registered runners and is not intended for crew members or family.

Bathrooms & Showers

Public restrooms are located just a few steps from the course and include shower facilities.

The course passes directly in front of the restroom building, making the facilities easily accessible during your race.

Taking Breaks

Timed-event runners are free to take breaks during their race.

Your timing chip can be removed while sleeping or resting. When you're ready to continue, put the chip back on before returning to the course.

If you leave the fairgrounds during an extended break, remember to leave your chip at the timing tent before departing.

The race clock continues to run during breaks.

Pacers

Pacers are not permitted.

The one-mile loop is simple to navigate, and runners are expected to complete their event through their own efforts.

Running With Other Participants

Registered runners may run or walk together as much as they like.

This applies even when runners are entered in different events. The 144 Hour runner, 24 Hour runner, Marathoner and 50K runner all share the same course.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are not permitted.

Crew, Family & Spectators

Friends and family are welcome at the Sussex County Fairgrounds during the event.

Please remember that the runner aid station is intended for registered participants only. Aid-station food is not provided for crew members, family or spectators.

The fairgrounds remains an active facility during race week, and other events may be taking place elsewhere on the property.

Sharing the Fairgrounds

The race course is closed to the general public while the event is underway, but the Sussex County Fairgrounds remains an active facility throughout race week. Other events may be taking place elsewhere on the property, including horse shows, poultry shows, garden shows, farmers markets and other activities.

Friends and family are welcome to explore the Fairgrounds while you run, and there is plenty to do both on the property and nearby.

Pets

Pets are permitted at the Sussex County Fairgrounds but must remain on a leash.

Please use caution when crossing the race course with a pet. The fairgrounds may also have horses, cows, poultry and other animals on the property during race week.

If your pet is uncomfortable around other animals, it may be best to leave them at home.

Registration Policies

Swag
Event swag is not guaranteed after April 1.

Refunds
A 50% refund is available until eight weeks before the race date. After that, no refunds will be issued.

Bib Transfers
If you transfer your bib to another runner, please contact NJ Trail Series as soon as possible with the new runner's information.

The Finish

The official race clock stops at 9:00 AM Sunday morning.

Only laps completed before the end of your event count toward your official mileage.

Awards for all races are presented during breakfast Sunday morning.

For information about 101, 202, 303, 404 and 505-mile buckles, Marathon and 50K coins, Quadzilla, Hexazilla and lifetime mileage awards, visit Awards & Lifetime Miles.

For tent camping, RVs, electricity and nearby accommodations, visit Camping & Lodging.

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