Thunder Chicken Squatch
Branchville, United States • 9 Aug 2026
Event overview
The Thunder Chicken Squatch is a trail running and hiking event on August 9, 2026, at Stokes State Forest, 1 Coursen Road, Branchville, NJ. The event offers the following distances and divisions:
- 17 mile
- 10K
- 10K - Heavyweight Ruck (30 lbs)
- 10K - Lightweight Ruck (15 lbs)
- 5K
Registration opens February 1, 2026. Discounts and special codes are offered for youth and military participants; details are available from the organizer.
Course, logistics and policies
Courses are technical with many rocks and roots. Recommended footwear is sturdy trail shoes with good grip. Estimated elevation gain: about 1,500 ft for the 17 mile loop, about 600 ft for the 10K (course is closer to 6.6 miles), and roughly 325 ft for the 5K. The 17 mile event has a six hour overall cut-off; there are no on-course cut-offs for the 10K and 5K. Aid stations: a full station and a water-only station on the 17 mile course, and a water-only station for the 10K. The 17 mile and 10K follow existing blue blazes with added directional arrows; the 5K is marked with pink ribbons and arrows.
Rucking rules: weight must be carried in a pack or ruck (no weight vests); listed weights are dry weight. All ruck participants receive a GoRuck patch. All participants receive a handcrafted wooden medal and a choice of a swag item. Dogs are not permitted. The organizer does not offer refunds; deferral options are available under specific conditions. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.