It’s that time again for the Coopers Rock 50k and Half Marathon races! Down below you will find further information about the event and a link to registration! Or you can skip to Sign Up, [Here]

This is a rocky, challenging, and scenic trail race at Coopers Rock State Forest in north central West Virginia.  The 50 km course covers nearly every trail on the south side of the forest, features several scenic viewpoints, and has 5000 feet of elevation gain.  The half marathon course is a shorter version of the same trails and has 2000 feet of elevation gain.

Location:  Coopers Rock State Forest is located at Exit 15 off of I-68, roughly 15 minutes east of Morgantown, WV.  The race starts at the Overlook Area.  After exiting the interstate, turn towards Coopers Rock State Forest and continue south down the main forest road for 3 miles until reaching the Overlook Area.

Date and Time:  Both the 50 km and Half Marathon races will start at 7:00 am, April 27, 2019.  There will be a brief pre-race meeting at 6:40 am on April 27.

Entry Fees:

50 km:  $75 if registered by 2/24/2019; $90 if registered by 4/7/2019.  Late online registrations will be permitted between 4/8/2019 and 4/21/2019 for $90 BUT YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A T-SHIRT.  You will be permitted to register for the race in person during packet pickup (see times below) for $100 cash or check but a t-shirt is not included.  If you don’t get a shirt then check back with us after the race to see if we have any extras.

Half Marathon:  $50 if registered by 2/24/2019; $65 if registered by 4/7/2019.  Registration is closed thereafter. Late online registrations will be permitted between 4/8/2019 and 4/21/2019 for $65 BUT YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A T-SHIRT.  You will be permitted to register for the race in person during packet pickup (see times below) for $75 cash or check but a t-shirt is not included.  If you don’t get a shirt then check back with us after the race to see if we have any extras.

Refunds minus a $10 fee will be granted until 4/8/2019.  No transfers to next year’s race will be allowed.  50 km entrants may switch to the Half Marathon during packet pickup, but the difference will not be refunded. Half Marathon entrants may switch to the 50 km during packet pickup but must pay $50 in cash or check at that time.

Race Cap:  Both races combined will be limited to 250 entries.

Packet Pickup:  Packets can be picked up on Friday, 4/26/2019 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Overlook Area at Coopers Rock State Forest, or on Saturday, 4/27/2019 from 5:30 am – 6:30 am at the same location.

Aid Stations:  There are 6 aid stations on the 50 km course and 3 aid stations on the Half Marathon Course, spaced 3 – 7 miles apart.  Please carry water and food between aid stations.  Aid stations will be stocked with a standard ultra-marathon cuisine, including cookies, chips, candy, sandwiches, water, sports drink, and et cetera.

50 km Aid Stations:

Aid 1: 5.0 miles                  Cutoff time: 9:00 am

Aid 2: 10.4 miles                Cutoff time: 10:00 am

Aid 3A: 15.9 miles             Cutoff time: 11:30 am

Aid 3B: 19.8 miles             Cutoff time: 1:00 pm

Aid 4: 26.9 miles                Cutoff time: 2:45 pm

Aid 3C: 29.5 miles

Finish: 31.1 miles              Cutoff time: 4:00 pm (9 hours total)

Half Marathon Aid Stations:

Aid 1: 5.0 miles                  Cutoff time: 9:00 am

Aid 4: 8.8 miles                  Cutoff time: 10:20 am

Aid 3: 11.4 miles

Finish: 13.0 miles              Cutoff time: 12:00 pm (5 hours total)

Additional Rules:

1. You must start on time. Late starts will not be permitted.
2. You must follow the marked course and check in at every aid station. One of the race volunteers will record your bib number and time at every aid station.
3. 50 km runners must finish the race with two punch marks on their bib to be considered an official finisher.
4. If you miss a cutoff time, you must follow the instructions from a race volunteer on how to return to the start/finish area.
5. The race management may ask you to discontinue the race at any time if they believe that you are unfit to continue.
6. If you drop out of the race before finishing, you must tell one of the race volunteers.
7. Unregistered pacers are not permitted.
8. All entrants must be at least 18 years of age or older for both races.
9. Failure to follow any of these rules will result in being disqualified from the race.

Drop Bags:  For 50 km runners only, you may leave a bag inside Picnic Shelter #1 at the Overlook Area.  This picnic shelter will be Aid Station #2 in the 50 km race.  Please label your drop bag with your name and bib number.  Alternatively, you may return to your car to pick up items as needed after checking in at Aid Station #2.  The parking lot is close by.

Goodies:  All entrants who register by 4/7/2019 will receive a Sweat Vac short sleeve technical t-shirt (see https://www.sweatvac.com/sizing-guides for sizing).  Both men’s and women’s sizes will be offered.  If you don’t get a shirt then check back with us after the race to see if we have any extras.

Awards:  Awards will be given to the top 3 men and women finishers of each race.  There will not be a formal awards ceremony.  Awards will be given out as the top finishers cross the finish line.

Lodging:  There are a limited number of campsites available at Coopers Rock State Forest at the McCollum Campground and Rhododendron Campground, which are reservable in advance (61 County Line Drive, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525, 304-594-1561, http://www.coopersrockstateforest.com).  Additional camping is available nearby at Chestnut Ridge Campground (346 Chestnut Ridge Camp Road, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525, 304-594-1773, http://www.chestnutridgepark.com).  The closest hotels are the Lakeview Resort and Spa (One Lakeview Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505, 304-594-1111), the Super 8 (603 Venture Dr, Morgantown, WV 26508, 304-296-4000) or Holiday Inn Express (605 Venture Dr, Morgantown, WV 26508, 304-291-2600) at the Pierpont Road Exit 7 on I-68.  Other hotels are available in Morgantown.

Lunch:  A post-race meal of cold meat and veggie sandwich burritos, sides, and desserts will be free to registered runners after the race.  Extra lunches can be purchased at packet pickup for $10.

Contact us:  For other questions, please use the Contact Us form on our website.

About us:  The Coopers Rock Foundation is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization that is dedicated to service and preservation at Coopers Rock State Forest.  Any profit from this race will be reinvested into maintenance of the trails and facilities at Coopers Rock.