Mountain Creek Mayhem

Mountain Creek Mayhem

Mountain Creek Mayhem is a triple-distance trail running event held at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, PA, with race headquarters in the grassy field behind the bath house at the Fuller Lake Day Use Area. Registration closes Sep 12 and race day registration will be available in 2026.

Distances offered:

• 50K
• 20 Miler
• Half Marathon

The 50K course is listed as about 33 miles with 4400+ feet of elevation gain. Terrain includes sandstone boulder ridgelines, woodland savannah, mountain laurel and wild blueberry areas, winding single track, pine-needle surfaces, grassy double track, and technical forest paths. Aid stations are located at Pitch Pine (Mile 5.5 and 15.8), Dead Woman's Hollow (Mile 10.2), Furnace Stack (Mile 19.4), Laurel Lake (Mile 22.9), Ridge Road (Mile 26.6), and Cattle Chute (Mile 30.2). One drop bag location is available at Brickyard (Mile 19.7). Crew access is allowed at Brickyard and Laurel Lake. Time limit is 10 hours.

The 20 Miler follows roughly the first 20 miles of the 50K with about 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Aid stations occur at Pitch Pine, Dead Woman's Hollow, and Pitch Pine again. There is no drop bag option and no crew access for this distance. Time limit is 7 hours.

The Half Marathon covers about 13.1 miles with 1400+ feet of elevation gain on rocky single track and ridge trails. Aid stations are at Laurel Lake, Ridge Road, and Cattle Chute. There is no drop bag option; crew access is available at Laurel Lake. Time limit is 7 hours.

Aid station food and drink across distances typically include water, Tailwind electrolyte, Coke, Gingerale, fruit, potatoes or chips, Fritos, regular and gluten free cookies, gels and blocks, stroop waffles, candy, Rice Krispie treats, pickles, occasional meatballs, and menstrual products.

The event is presented by the Meatball Runners and takes place in the northern Michaux State Forest area near Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.