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*** The 2025 Pond Sprint Course will be run in a counter-clockwise loop, and will return to a clockwise loop in 2026! ***
The full course and Pond 5-Miler are for runners only. Hikers should sign up for the POND HIKE.
Click on image caption (left) to expand map, and read below for course description.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The section of the course from the top of Rattlesnake (Mile 3.0) end of Carver Road (Mile 6.6) to the is private, and off-limits to everyone except on race day. Please do not train there!
The POND SPRINT will begin at the Pok-O-MacCready Conference Center (0.0) and follow Reber Road southwest - and downhill - to the trail around Long Pond (White's Road) at the 6/10 of a mile mark.
At the 1.2 mile mark, participants will leave White's Road and take an out and back trail to the summit of Sugarloaf mountain (one mile, +/- 752 vertical feet each way), returning to the junction at 3.25.
The next portion of the route, wholly runnable, continues along the western side of Long Pond, taking the CATS trails to Carver Road at 4.6 mi. BEWARE OF UNLEASHED DOGS on this dirt road, which will end at NY Route 22 (5.5).
Here, racers will have their first major road crossing, straight across to a new (2020) portion of the course: a scenic trail through the woods, past some lakes.
At 7.2 miles, the trail ends, and the route turns north (left) on Highlands Road, following the dirt road until reaching the farm at Burnham Way (7.5). The only aid station is located there. This is also the start of the Five-mile course.
Access from this point, to the summit of Rattlesnake, has been granted with thanks to Highlands Forest, LLC. The route crosses a farm field, enters the woods on a trail, prior to turning onto a tote road, which leads to the top of Rattlesnake (9.2), having climbed 682 feet since leaving the aid station.
From the summit, the route follows a course familiar to Patch Sprinters, descending the mountain, and returning to the finish line via Beaver Road (10.6), the Nature Trail (11.0) and Reber Road, finishing at the start/finish line at Camp MacCready. TOTAL DISTANCE: 12.3 miles
TOTAL DISTANCE: 12.0 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 2100'
There will be one aid station (see above), although runners are strongly encouraged to carry, or stash, their own supplies, and account for their own garbage.
There will be selective marking arrows on the course, at areas deemed to be necessary.
Please use caution while crossing major roadways. Volunteers will be stationed at key crossings to assist your safe passage.
View on the way up Rattlesnake from the North
Click here for a larger image view
The POND 5-Miler run covers much of the first section of the Pond Sprint but in reverse.
Runners will begin at the Highlands Road aid station***, climb up 1.4 up Rattlesnake, and return to Pok-O-MacCready via Beaver Road, the History Trail, the Nature Trail and Reber Road-- following the same final portion of the course as the Pond Sprint Half-Marathon.
Shuttle service will be provided to the starting point.
*** Only the first 50 Registered Half-Marathon and 5-Mile racers will be allowed on the Highland's approach. ***
The POND HIKE is a completely non-competitive division. Participants are free to run, jog, hike, walk or stroll at whatever pace allows them to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage along portions of the course, lake, and nearby mountains. There is no specific course, nor specific guidelines, other than your own desire to appreciate nature, exercise, and the beautiful scenery! The northern race approach to Rattlesnake (from Highlands) is not available for the hiker division. Thanks for taking part and supporting our causes
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