Rock N’ The Knob Trail Challenge – Allegheny Trailrunners

Rock N’ The Knob – Pennsylvania’s Highest Trail Race

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020: ALLEGHENY TRAILRUNNERS INC. IS PROUD TO PRESENT ROCK ’N THE KNOB – PA’S HIGHEST RACE.

* DOWNLOAD ROCK ‘N THE KNOB RUNNERS GUIDE *

The marathon begins at 8:00am and the Half Marathon starts at 9:00am and the 10K starts at 10:00am.

The race will offer three courses: a new 10K course, a half-marathon and a TOUGH 26-mile mountain marathon course for the more foolish.

* READ OUR COVID-19 MITIGATION PLAN

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

10K course: The 10K course may be the most challenging 10K in PA* (*based on the fastest and average finish times.) The 10K features challenges like Tree-odge, Devils Hairpin and Throat Punch Hill. New for 2020, an new 10K course!

Course Description | Course Maps

Half-marathon: In 2019, we added a half-marathon course! Get ready – this half-marathon is going to be a doozy. We are taking the marathon course and cutting it in half but leaving in more than half of the challenges and sufferfest.

Course Description | Course Maps

Mountain Marathon: For mountain-goats, this course has broken the will of many as you repeatedly attempt to ascend one of the highest peaks in the Central Alleghenies – finishing with 6,500 feet of climbing on your legs.

Course Description | Course Maps

In Summary:

At over 3,100 feet above sea level, it is Pennsylvania’s highest race.
A 10K, half-marathon or 26-mile options. Both are more technical (rocky) than our little sister, the Dirty Kiln Trail Race.
Lodging packages available at Blue Knob All-Seasons Resort, wake up feet from the start and finish.
SWAG: Due to COVID-19, we are completely re-thinking our swag package. We are doing this to minimize contact between volunteers and participants and reduce expenses if the race is cancelled. Stay tuned to the items we will have for you. We do know that we will include an Allegheny Trailrunners tube bandanna.
Post-race food and beer tasting is included with the entry fee.

Quick takeaways:

10K course: By far the most challenging 10K in Pennsylvania (based on average finish times and overall winning times). Two major climbs give you 1495 feet of climbing. There is one aid station at the base of the first climb called Throat Punch Hill at 3.5 miles.
Half-marathon course: We are taking the marathon course and cutting it in half but keeping some of the fun and sufferfest in with 3010+ feet of climbing on the 13.12 mile course! There are three aid stations and a six 1/2-hour time limit. There are 3 Aid Stations: At Chappelle’s Field (Mile 4.6); At Ravens Rest (Mile 7.2); At Heavens Hairpin (Mile 11.1). Cut-offs: Ravens Rest at 4 hours (@1:00 pm) and Heavens Hairpin at 6 hours (@3:00pm) and the time limit to finish is 6.5 hours.
Mountain Marathon: For mountain-goats, this course has broken the will of many as you repeatedly ascend one of the highest peaks in the Central Alleghenies – finishing with almost 6,500 feet of climbing on your legs. There are 6 Aid Stations: At Pavia (Mile 7) Chappelle’s Field at 10.5 miles, Raven’s Rest at 13.1 miles, Heavens Hairpin at 18.3, Quitters Row at 20.3 miles and Throat Punch at 23.3 miles. You have 9 hours to complete the race with cut-off at 5 hours (1pm) at Raven’s Rest; 7 hours (3pm) at Heavens Hairpin and 7.5 hours (3:30pm) at Quiters Row. You need to finish the race by 5pm.

Start/Finish Address: 1424 Overland Pass, Claysburg, Pennsylvania 16625. Bib pickup begins at ONE HOUR prior to each race.

REFUND POLICY

Participants are eligible for a 50% refund of race fee minus Ultrasignup fees, transfer to another ATR race or roll-over to next year until 9/11/2020. Credits kick in when a user cancels their registration prior to an event. Users can cancel their registration via their registration history, or via the “Edit” link on their receipt.

No same-day signups for this event. REGISTRATION ENDS SEPT. 8TH AT NOON.

SWAG Details

[Due to COVID-19, we are rethinking our SWAG for 2020 to minimize contact between volunteers and participants and keep us flexible if the race is cancelled. Stay tuned for updates.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFO

DYK that mountain goats are great at math! Here is some data on the climbs and descents for Rock ‘N The Knob Trail Challenge on Sept 12. The number in parentheses indicates which course – 6, 13 or 26 mile course) www.alleghenytrailrunners.com
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Marathon: 6250 feet of climb in 26 miles is 238 feet of climbing per mile
Half Marathon: 3013 feet of climb in 13.1 miles is 230 feet of climbing per mile
10K: 1496 feet of climb in 6.2 miles is 241 feet of climbing per mile

—Major Climbs—

ROCK ‘N RIDGE TRAIL CLIMB (26)
683 foot climb in 1.53 miles – 8.4% grade

STOEHR CLIMB (13,26)
149 foot climb in 0.27 miles – 10% grade

RAVEN’S WHYSONG (13,26)
253 foot climb in 0.42 miles – 11% grade

CHAPPELL’S CLIMB (26)
331 foot climb in 0.49 miles – 12.7% grade

BEAVERDAM CANYON/I’LL NETTLE DO THIS AGAIN (13,26)
1048 foot climb in 1.3 miles – 15.2% grade

SOUL SUCKER SLOPES – ALL 3 SLOPES (6,26)
560 foot climb in 3333 feet – 16.8% grade

THROAT PUNCH HILL – ALL (6,26)
480 foot climb in 1787 feet – 27% grade

TEAL IS REAL/DEEP HALLOW NOTCH (13,26)
332 foot climb in 1161 feet – 28.5% grade

I NEED A SHERPA (6,26)
198 foot climb in 475.2 feet – 40% grade

UPPER THROAT PUNCH HILL (6,26)
194 foot climb in 475 feet – 40.8% grade

BEAR TRAP! – (SECOND OF THREE SOUL SUCKER SLOPES) (6,26)
110 foot climb in 264 feet – 41.7% grade