Big Brad Ultras – Trail Monster Running

Here are two great reviews of the Pounder and Punisher on the Trail Collective Weekly Rundown. If you only want to see a review of our races, skip to about 18 minutes in. Maine’s got some BIG BAD ULTRAMARATHONS: races with single-track trails, big hills, and gnarly terrain. Trail Monster Running is proud to present the eleventh annual Big Brad Ultras on October 9, 2022 on the trails of Bradbury Mountain State Park and the surrounding area. And this year, we’ve added relays!!! – Get ready for a beautiful challenge. Runners tackle a 16.2 mile loop that’s a gauntlet of great Maine singletrack, journeying through Bradbury Mountain State Park, over Tryon Mountain, Chandler Brook, and back into Bradbury Mountain State Park. The course has tough hills, rocks, roots, and very little flat including a 1/2 mile of paved road and 1/4 mile of dirt road. With the fall foliage at it’s peak, there are sure to be many fantastic vistas along the route. Not ready to run an ultra yet? Gather one or two friends and try the new to 2022 RELAY! or Have someone running? Come find out what it’s all about, while helping! We will have the volunteer sign up out in mid-September. All finishers receive a finisher’s hoodie. Winner’s of the 50 mile and 50k solo races earn a coveted Adirondack chair from Prospect Mountain Furniture.

Start: 6:00 AM Cut-off: 12.5 hours $90.00 solo $150.00 3-person relay	Start: 9:00 AM Cut-off: 9 hours $75.00 solo $100.00 2-person relay	Download GPX file here

Each race is capped at 100 participants. Each relay is capped at 15 teams.

50k runners will complete 2 laps of the 16.2 mile course. 50 mile runners will complete a 1.2 mile lap of Bradbury Mountain followed by 3 laps of the 16.2 mile course. Each relay runner will complete 1 lap. – 50 mile elevation: 7,500′ gain (equal loss) 50 km elevation: 4,500′ gain (equal loss)
The race course is primarily single-track trails over hilly, technical terrain. There is approximately 1/2 mile of paved road and 1/4 mile of dirt road on the 16.2 mile course. – 50 mile runners (including the first leg relay runners) will be starting before sunrise and will be required to run with a headlamp or flashlight for at least the initial 1.2 mile loop before returning to the start area. – Well-stocked aid stations, manned by experienced ultra runners, will tend to runners. The longest distance between aid is just over six miles. Drop bags may be left at the start/finish area which you can access twice during the race. There are no drop bag options for relay runners, but we encourage full use of the aid stations!A portion of our registration fee is donated to the Royal River Conservation Trust. Please take a look at their website to see all the great work they are doing to ensure there are trails to enjoy. Remember to think of them on some of the sweet new trails on the course!


ACCOMMODATION: Camping is available at Bradbury Mountain State Park Hotels, Motels, B&B’s, etc. are available in nearby Freeport. Visit VisitMaine.net for a list. Mid-October is a popular time of year for leaf-peeping tourists, so make your travel and accommodation plans early.		RULES: Stay on trails. Do not cut corners. If you go off course backtrack to where you went wrong and continue on course. No littering. Dispose of all trash at the aid stations. No headphones. These are single-track trails that are shared with other users of the park including hikers and bikers. It is important that every runner is aware of his/her surroundings. Pacers will be permitted for 50 mile runners on their last lap, but are not permitted to carry any supplies for their runner (no muling!). No pacers for 50K or relays. Relay members must make their runner exchange in the designated “Relay” area at the Start/Finish. Each relay runner must check in with race directors at the Start/Finish before they start their leg . No wimps. These races are for tough trail runners only.