Coopers Rock 50 Km
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Coopers Rock 50 km and Half Marathon Trail Run
This is a volunteer organized trail event held at Coopers Rock State Forest in Bruceton Mills, WV, at the Overlook Area near Exit 15 off I-68, about 15 minutes east of Morgantown. The event is presented by the Coopers Rock Foundation, a non-profit group that uses any profit to support trail and facility maintenance.
The courses use a variety of trail surfaces, from mostly smooth dirt to sections with many loose rocks and roots. The 50 km course covers nearly every trail on the south side of the forest, includes several overlooks of Cheat Canyon and Cheat Lake, prominent boulder formations, and about 5000 feet of elevation gain. The half marathon is a shorter version on many of the same trails and has about 2000 feet of elevation gain. Neither course uses repeating loops.
Aid stations are supplied along both courses and are spaced roughly 3 to 7 miles apart; the 50 km has six aid stations and the half marathon has three. Stations offer standard ultra food and drinks; participants are asked to carry water and food between stations and to bring a collapsible cup or use a personal bottle to reduce cup waste.
Combined fields are limited to 250 entries. Race rules include an age minimum of 18 years, visible bib placement, mandatory check in at aid stations, no pacers, and the requirement to follow volunteer instructions. Drop bags are allowed for 50 km runners at a shelter that serves as an aid station. Shirts are provided to entrants who register by the stated deadline, and all finishers receive a finisher gift. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
