Boulder Beast
Lock Haven, United States • 19 Sep 2026
Boulder Beast : Lock Haven, PA
Boulder Beast is an annual trail event held near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, featuring a long boulder-strewn course that began the local trail-running tradition. The event for 2026 is billed as the 11th running and is scheduled for September 19, 2026.
The main course is roughly about 24 miles with approximately 6,000 feet of vertical gain. A shorter 25K option is offered for participants who prefer a shorter route that still visits the boulder field and the Rote Overlook. The 25K route begins with road running for the first 3.5 miles, followed by trail for the next three miles.
The course uses named trails including Goat Path, Lightning Ridge, Gut Check, Black Diamond, Crossover, Fleming Way, Chestnut Flats and the Gorge Trail. The start and finish are located at the Castanea Township Fire Company picnic grounds. There is ample camping space and free parking with no reservations required.
Organizers state there are strict cut-off points at several aid stations and that runners who miss cut-offs may be removed from the course or directed to the shorter course. Registration opens in December 2025, is limited to the first 600 entrants or a September 1 deadline, and carries a strict no-refunds and no-bib-transfer policy. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.