Course
Overview
Decades ago, huge coal trains steamed up and down these trails. Those trains didn't turn quickly. If you can imagine those locomotives, you can navigate the rail-trail portion of the course--wide, sweeping turns and few elevation changes.
Please check out this informative map. We will be following this trail, from Luciana Park in Lanesboro to just east of Thompson. If you're bringing a crew and you want them to be your friends even after your run, give them a good set of maps so they can navigate the roads and find you with or without GPS.
Due to maintenance and/or construction on the rail trail, the bridges, and/or the roads, the course may be adjusted slightly from year to year. Any course adjustments will be announced as they are known, possibly as late as at the starting line just before the run.
Distance Options
Runners can enter to run 50 or 100 official miles.
Distance
50 miles
100 miles
# of Laps
2
4
Terrain
Beginning in Luciana Park, by the Starrucca Viaduct in Lanesboro, PA, the course is a somewhat challenging series of out-and-back laps, much of which is 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 in some locations 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. You should have at least a jacket with you after dark.
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):
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.
Make a right at that stop sign onto Main Street, and then go about a half mile.
Make a left over a small bridge (toward Windsor) to continue on Main Street.
Immediately after that small bridge, turn right onto Tannery Road.
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:
From Route 81, exit onto 171 South and drive through Susquehanna, to Lanesboro.
When you reach Lanesboro and see a huge arching bridge over you, go straight to stay on Main Street. Go about a half mile.
Make a left over a small bridge (toward Windsor) to continue on Main Street.
Immediately after that small bridge, turn right onto Tannery Road.
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.