Ghost Town Trail Challenge

Ghost Town Trail 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 a 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 three Challenge events to choose from on June 20th, all taking place on The Ghost Town Trail:

• 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.

Registration Fees

REGISTRATION ENDS JUNE 6TH AT MIDNIGHT - NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION - NO BIB TRANSFERS

Early Bird (January 1 - February 28):
$60.00 - 50k (Full 32 Mile Challenge)
$50.00 - 25k (Half/16 Mile Challenge)
$45.00 - 12k (Friends/Family 7.5 Mile Challenge)

March 1 - April 30:
$65.00 - 50k (Full 32 Mile Challenge)
$55.00 - 25k (Half/16 Mile Challenge)
$50.00 - 12k (Friends/Family 7.5 Mile Challenge)

May 1 - June 6:
$70.00 - 50k (Full 32 Mile Challenge)
$60.00 - 25k (Half/16 Mile Challenge)
$55.00 - 12k (Friends/Family 7.5 Mile Challenge)

ALL YOUTH 17 AND UNDER PARTICIPATE FREE but must still add-on the purchase of a shirt at check out if one is desired.

Packet Pick-Up

Packet pick-up will be Friday, June 19th from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Up-N-Running store in Ebensburg, PA.

Aid/Fuel Stations

There will be 6 Aid/Fuel stations and one *water only* station, spaced out every 5-6 miles, complete with refuel food, gatorade, water, soda, and First Aid, for participants of every event along the entire 32 Miles of The Ghost Town Trail.

Start/Finish Lines

Finish for ALL Events: Young People's Community Center (YPCC), 300 Prave Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931

Course Elevation

There is an approximate 1000 ft elevation gain over the course of 32 miles from Blairsville, PA to Ebensburg, PA.