October 1st, 2023

CONDITIONS

Temperatures in October can still get into the 80's. In 2007 the race was held the same day as the infamous Chicago heat marathon. We highly recommend carrying a bottle with you during the race, and reserve the right to stop you during the race, if you appear severly underhydraded. 70% of the course is shaded. The course consist of mostly packed dirt single track. Most of the course drains well, but if it rains 1 or 2 days prior to the race , it will get slippery and muddy.

RACE PACKAGE PICKUP

Please pick up your # on raceday at the start between 7:30AM & 8:15AM.

Race starts 8:30AM

Start location is the Day Use Lake view pavillion.
Approx address to park entry is: 1420 Palisades Dr, Leesport, PA 19533

Get directions here.

REGISTRATION

We no longer offer registration per mail in app. Please register online

The field size for this race is growing every year due to the increasing popularity of ultra trail running and the fact that the Blues Cruise 50k has an excellent reputation. The race is limited to 400 runners, therefore we recommend registering as early as possible.

LODGING

That very weekend is also the date for a major car racing event in the area, which brings in thousands of spectators. Most hotels will sell out weeks in advance. Please make reservation asap.

GOODIES

All preregistered runners will receive a race shirt, plus another item tbd. All runners finishing within the posted timelimit will also receive a finisher medal. You will have the opportunity to run on well marked and picturesque trails around Blue Marsh Lake. We invite all runners to our post race BBQ, where you can enjoy a Bratwurst sandwich with German potato salad, plus the usual stuff.

MEDICAL & AID

We will have an ambulance on location during the race. If you get injured or feel you require medical assistance due to any circumstances , locate a volunteer to call the race director. 7 fully stocked aid station support you, and will also provide basic first aid.

PACERS & DOGS

This is a race that typically attract between 300 - 400 runners. In order to avoid overcrowding on the course we do not allow Pacers or dogs. We feel that a 50k is something every properly trained runner should tackle without a crew or pacers, especially since our aidstation are spaced no more than 4 miles appart. Often runners team up with other runners of a similar pace to tackle the final stretch of the race to support each other.

We do not allow dogs on our course.

REFUNDS

We offer refunds up to 30 days before raceday. No refund requests for any reason will be granted afterwards.
In order to receive a refund, you must mail a stamped and self-address envelope postmarked 30 days before raceday to:

Stephan Weiss
c/o BluesRF
2137 Old Lancaster Pike
Reinholds, PA 17569

We do allow bib transfers up to 7 days before race day. You have to officially request the transfer by emailing the RD at stephanweiss@comcast.net for instructions. Certain swag sizes may be limited, we reserve the right to limit swag to size of the original registration.

AWARDS

Most age awards are given out at the finish line on the fly. Award ceremony for the PA State championship is at approx 2:00PM. If you can't stick around to pick up your reward, please notify race director, and we will check where you placed and hand you the proper award.

TIME LIMIT

This is not a hike. This is a running event, and you have to be properly trained to enter the race. Time limit is 8 hours. For your own safety, cutoff times will be strictly enforced. You have to be able to maintain a 15.5 min per mile pace throughout the race. We do not allow early starts, every runner has to start with the main field at 8:30AM.

POST RACE BBQ

Will start right after the first runners finishes the race. We invite everyone to stick round and celebrate. Please note race is held at a public park, therefore there is no alcohol allowed on the premises. Park will close at dusk.