Run a total of 50 or 100 miles between July 1st and July 31st on as many local trails as your time and schedule allow! This challenge is NOT meant to be accomplished in a single run (although you could), but rather in as many runs as you need. 50 miles is about 1.5 miles per day and 100 miles is about 3.2 miles per day over the month. Not all (or any really) of the runs have to be on trails, but we think trails rock...so we encourage you to take this opportunity to explore the amazing trail systems that we have all around the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) area. Throughout the event we'll be sharing ideas on trails and parks to check out!
Why the challenge?
We believe that Montgomery County, Maryland is filled with amazing places to run trails! During our normal Blue Crab Bolt Trail Running Series each summer (now in our 11th year), we host races in three of MoCo's best parks. Since we had to cancel the in-person series this summer, we thought why not take the opportunity to highlight even more of the amazing singletrack in the county. But since this is a virtual event…we don’t have to limit things to just MoCo. You can run trails anywhere in the world for this challenge…and we plan to highlight great singletrack all around the DC area!
The inspirational routes
We have created a 50 mile and 100 mile route that you will virtually progress through as you log your miles during the month. These courses highlight some of the best singletrack that Montgomery County has to offer. But again...you don't have to run or live anywhere close to Montgomery County for this challenge. The routes are just there to give you a visual depiction of your progress in meeting the 50 or 100 mile distance goal over the month.
Charity partnerships
During registration, you will have an opportunity to support three local non-profits: Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), Button Farm Living History Center, and Interfaith Works. Each of these organizations make a significant impact in Montgomery County and we are proud to partner with them. The goals of the partnerships are to first and foremost to raise awareness of the services these organizations perform for our community. In addition, we hope to raise funds that will directly support their efforts. Please consider making a donation when you register.
Ready to go? Read the details below and sign up!!
Step 1: Pick your distance and sign up!
Step 2: Invite your friends and family to join the challenge as well.
Step 3: Run (or walk or hike) and log your distance in RunSignUp.
From July 1st to July 31, your goal is to run your selected distance (50 or 100 miles) over as many runs as needed. After each run, submit your distance in RunSignUp. Don't worry...it's easy and instructions are below. You can also (optionally) add in the time and elevation gain of each activity as well as comments. In the comments, please enter the name of the park or trail that you ran on. The more data you add, the more information you have at the end of the month!
Be social!! Share pictures from your runs using #bluecrabbolt and join the EX2 Facebook group to share your progress and support other participants!
Invite your friends and family to participate in the challenge and create a team. Creating a team makes it easier to keep track of how everyone is doing in running their miles! Creating a team is super easy either during registration or after you have already registered. Please note that all team members are required to register and run the full distance of their challenge (50 or 100 miles). See our FAQs for more info on teams.
Note: If you had multiple runs in a day, you can enter each new run by clicking "Add Another Activity" button or you can aggregate them together for the day. Either works fine. Don't forget to hit submit results when you are done!
All runners receive the sweet swag items listed below!
Available in men's and women's sizing
Who doesn't need a (another) buff!! The perfect multi-functional headware!
The two routes below were designed to inspire you during your 50 and 100 mile challenges! Challenge participants will see their progress against these route as they log their miles...pretty cool right?!?! The map image links to the respective GPS files for the route. You are welcome to run portions of these routes, but please abide by all park rules. The routes start and end at Clopper Lake in Seneca Creek State Park and run through many of the best parks in Montgomery County, MD including: Seneca Creek State Park, Black Hill Regional Park, Little Bennet Regional Park, Great Seneca Stream Valley Park, and Damascus Recreational Park. The routes use TONS of singletrack trails including the Clopper Lake Trail, Mink Hollow, Seneca Creek Greenway Trail, Schaeffer Farms Trail System, Hoyles Mill Trail, Diabase Trail, Ten Mile Creek Trail, Hardrock Trail, Loggers Trail, Purdum Trail, Pepco Trail, Muddy Branch Greenway Trail, C&O Canal Towpath, and Seneca Bluffs Trail.
This 50 route starts and ends at the Clopper Lake Area of Seneca Creek State Park and has a total elevation change of over 2,700 feet. 50 mile challenge participants will see their progress against this route as they log their miles.
This 100 mile route starts and ends at the Clopper Lake Area of Seneca Creek State Park and has a total elevation change of over 5,500 feet. 100 mile challenge participants will see their progress against this route as they log their miles.
Refer your friends and family using your referral link and earn the following rewards:
If you have any questions about this Challenge, click the button below.
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