Thunder Chicken Squatch
Branchville, United States • 9 Aug 2026
Thunder Chicken Squatch
The Thunder Chicken Squatch Jamboree is a trail running and hiking event in Stokes State Forest, Branchville, New Jersey. Participants can register for 5K, 10K, or 17-mile distances. The event offers a 50% discount for active-duty military, National Guard, reserves, and veterans using the code THUNDERCHICKEN.
The course uses the technical, rocky, and rooted singletrack trails typical of the Jersey Highlands. The 17-mile distance has approximately 1,500 feet of elevation gain, the 10K has around 600 feet, and the 5K has roughly 325 feet. The 17-mile distance is not recommended for children under 14.
Aid stations are available on course. For the 17-mile distance, there is a snack station at mile 7.65 and a water-only station at mile 13.5. The 10K has a water-only station at mile 3. The start/finish area at the Kittle Picnic Area has snacks, water, real restrooms, a covered pavilion, and picnic tables. A park entrance fee is required ($10 for NJ residents, $20 for out-of-state).
All events have a 6-hour cutoff. For the 17-mile distance, there is an on-course cutoff at the mile 7.65 aid station requiring a pace of 21 minutes per mile. The total participant capacity across all four events is 175. Pacers are permitted only for participants over age 60 or athletes with disabilities. Dogs are not permitted at the event. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.