The Ghost Town Trail Challenge takes place on June 20, 2026, in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, starting at 6:15 AM from 424 Prave Street. Runners can choose from four distances: a 5-mile option, a 16-mile run, a 32-mile ultramarathon, or a 50-mile ultra. Entry fees range from $45 to $90 depending on the distance selected. This multi-distance format allows both trail runners seeking a shorter outing and ultrarunners targeting longer efforts to participate in the same event. The early morning start time is typical for trail running events and helps athletes beat afternoon heat on the course.
From the Race Organizer
Spend the day with us on the 2020 Trail of the Year, and partake in the 11th annual Ghost Town Trail Challenge! *New 50-miler option available to runners only Friends of the Trails Members Receive $5 OFF! To receive a $5 discount on your registration fee for The Ghost Town Trail Challenge, become a Friend of the Trails today. Visit our website to become a member, then send an email to cambriaconservationrecreation@gmail.com to get your coupon code! All memberships go toward enhancing, expanding, and maintaining the Ghost Town Trail, Jim Mayer Riverswalk, and the Path of the Flood Trail. The Challenge The 11th Annual Ghost Town Trail Challenge, hosted by the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority, will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2026. This is during the weekend of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The Challenge is known for its 32-mile long (50k), endurance hike/run along the entire length of the Ghost Town Trail, DCNR's 2020 Trail of the Year, from Black Lick, PA to Ebensburg, PA. Participants begin at sunrise and are challenged to complete the entire 32 miles by foot before sundown. This is not a race, but rather a challenge, which tests your mental and physical ability to journey this distance. The Challenge starts at Saylor Park in Black Lick, PA and ends 32 miles later at the Young People's Community Center in Ebensburg, PA. There are four Challenge events to choose from on June 20th, all taking place on The Ghost Town Trail: - 50-Miler Run (50 Miles - Runners Only) - It begins at 6:15 a.m. near the Dilltown Trailhead and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg. - Full Challenge (32 Miles - 50k) - It begins at 7:00 a.m. at Saylor Park in Black Lick and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg. - Half Challenge (16 Miles - 25k) - It begins at 8:00 a.m. near the Wehrum Trailhead and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg. - Friends/Family Challenge (7.5 Miles - 12k) - It begins at 8:45 a.m. at the Nanty Glo Trailhead and ends at the YPCC. Transportation will be provided for participants from the finish line in Ebensburg, PA to their respective starting areas, more information below. If you are planning to transport yourself to your start line that morning, please email cambriaconservationrecreation@gmail.com by June 6, 2026, so that the proper amount of buses can be reserved. If you are considering attempting the 50k but have never participated in an endurance hike/run, we suggest starting with the 25k. There are cut off times at each aid station for the 50k and 50-miler, please see further down the page for more information. Schedule 50-Miler Run: 5:10 a.m. - 5:20 a.m. Shuttle loading time for 50-Miler Run participants in Ebensburg, PA, promptly leaving at 5:20 a.m. 6:00 a.m. Pre-race announcements at Dilltown Trailhead (7452 Route 403 Highway, Dilltown, PA) 6:15 a.m. Begin 50-Miler Run 50k: 5:40 a.m. - 5:50 a.m. Shuttle loading time for 50k participants in Ebensburg, PA, promptly leaving at 5:50 a.m. 6:50 a.m.Pre-race announcements at Saylor Park (1284 Old Indiana Rd. Blairsville, PA 15717) 7:00 a.m. Begin Full 32-mile GTT Challenge 25k: 6:50 a.m. - 7:10 a.m. Shuttle loading time for 25k participants in Ebenbsurg, PA, promptly leaving at 7:10 a.m. 7:55 a.m. Pre-race announcements at Wehrum Trail Head (2415 Wehrum Road, Vintondale, PA 15961) 8:00 a.m. Begin Half 16-mile GTT Challenge 12k: 8:00 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. Shuttle loading time for 12k participants in Ebensburg, PA, promptly leaving at 8:10 a.m. 8:40 a.m. Pre-race announcements at Nanty Glo Trail Head (1097 1st Street, Nanty Glo, PA 15943) 8:45 a.m. Begin Friends/Family 7.5-mile GTT Challenge The GTT Challenge for all distances finishes at the Young People's Community Center in Ebensburg, PA. Challenge Proceeds ALL proceeds from the Ghost Town Trail Challenge will benefit the enhancement and expansion of the Cambria County Trails. The 2026 Cambria County Trails Series and our Friends of the Trails Membership program provide sustainable funding for improved trail accessibility, beautification, and extension projects on the Ghost Town Trail, the Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail, and the Path of the Flood Trail. Registration Fees REGISTRATION ENDS JUNE 6TH AT MIDNIGHT - NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION - NO BIB TRANSFERS *All pre-registered participants receve transportation, aid station amenities, post race meal, and race swag with their registration. You must ADD-ON purchase either a unisex t-shirt or ladies tank top during check out to have one made for you. Ruckers are given the opportunity to purchase a unique custom made ruck patch. All finishers will receive a finishers medal. Shirts and race swag must be picked up at packet pick-up, they will not be mailed. WE DO NOT ISSUE REFUNDS . If you are no longer able to attend and have already registered, your registration fee will be used as a donation to the trails. January 1 - February 28 (Early Bird) $80.00 - 50-Miler (RUN ONLY) $60.00 - 50k (Full 32 Mile Challenge) $50.00 - 25k (Half/16 Mile Challenge) $45.00
