The Squatchy Surprise 2026

The Squatchy Surprise is a timed trail race at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, New Jersey, offering 12-hour, 6-hour, and 3-hour options. Runners can begin new loops until they choose to stop or their allotted time expires. This format eliminates DNFs, as finishing early is permitted. The participant limit is 250 across all three races, maintaining a focused atmosphere instead of a large-scale ultra. The course features four distinct loops on hard-packed carriage trails and technical singletrack with rocks and roots. Before commencing each loop, a runner selects a golf ball from a container. The color of the ball determines the subsequent loop, with a black ball granting the runner a choice. This draw also dictates the amount of elevation gain for each participant, meaning two runners in the same timed event might encounter significantly different challenges. The race draws inspiration from the TommyKnocker Ultra and benefits Bigger Than The Trail, an organization that promotes mental wellness through trail running.