The Mt. Tom Challenge is this Sunday, Feb. 12. It is free and open to anyone who wants to give it a try. Sponsor is the Tyoga Running Club based in Wellsboro.

Registration from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and the 9 a.m. start are both at the bottom of Mt. Tom.

Adventurous weekend warriors of any age run or scramble up Mt. Tom’s 1,100 vertical feet of trail to its summit.

After catching their breath and taking in views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and west nearly to Galeton, they continue a short distance along the ridge before descending Mt. Tom using a forest road.

The challenge is to complete one lap up and down the mountain regardless of weather conditions. “This can be considered an adventure race, a run or a climb,” said Tim Morey, one of the organizers. “It is for serious runners; not beginners. There are no prizes, no swag bag or T-shirt. This is a no frills event. It’s a great way to get out on the trails in winter.”

Many of those who complete one lap decide to do it again. “Some people want to see how many laps they can do,” Morey said. Participants can start a lap any time between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. 

“Eric Kosek of Wellsboro set a course record in 2018 for most laps by finishing five laps in 2 hours, 23 minutes, 11 seconds. “Eric is the first and only person to complete five laps,” Morey said. 

In 2019, Erica Anderson set two course records. She was the first female to finish four laps, doing it in 2 hours, 17 minutes, 55 seconds and the first female to finish one lap the fastest in a time of 30 minutes, 31 seconds.

Matt Lipsey, the top rated trail runner in the country, ran one lap and completed it in 21 minutes, 20 seconds, the fastest time in 2019, 

The Mt. Tom Challenge course can vary greatly based on weather and snow and ice conditions at different elevations. “Some areas hold snow longer. Ice can be the toughest. Based on trail conditions, a traction device (screw shoes, yak tracks, microspikes, crampons or snowshoes) may be necessary,” said Morey.

To get to Darling Run from Wellsboro or Galeton, runners, hikers and spectators should drive on Route 6, turn onto Route 362 and go about 1.5 miles to the Pine Creek Rail Trail parking lot at Darling Run in Ansonia, Shippen Township. After parking, they will cross Route 362 on foot and go to the registration tent located at the bottom of the trail on Mt. Tom. When registrants finish a lap, they can go to the tent for free snacks and beverages.

For more information about the Mt. Tom Challenge, call Morey at 570-724-8561 on weekdays.

FMI: To learn more about Winter Outing events or for updates on snow and ice, trail conditions, directions and more, search for Step Outdoors Tioga County on Facebook or visit www.stepoutdoors.org.