Dear Mountain Goat,
Welcome to the 49th running of the Escarpment Trail Run across the Wall of Manitou. With a little luck we will get a good weather day and that demon of the mountains, Manitou, will be kind to us. Here is information that you need to know to make your Escarpment experience a great one:
Please set aside 5 minutes to fully read this.
GENERAL OVERVIEW
The race is on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
The first wave will start at 9am. Additional wave information appears in the section below.
The race starts from the Escarpment Trailhead on Route 23 in Windham, NY.
Start Line Address to use for your GPS Device: Elm Ridge Parking Area, NY-23 & 1 Cross Rd, Windham, NY 12496
Bib pick-up is on race morning only, beginning at 7:45am at the start line.
WAVE INFORMATION
Look up your wave here.
Wave Start Times can be viewed here.
NOTE: The men's and women's winner will be the first of his/her gender across the finish line. (Fastest men are in Wave 1 and the fastest women are in Wave 4.) Therefore if you feel you have a reasonable chance of winning the race and are not in one of the first mens' or first womens' waves, please contact me directly. After the first man and woman cross the finish line, places will be decided on time based upon your wave start time (ie. NET time).
BIB NUMBER
Look up your bib number here.
Your bib number has one timing tag (chip) attached to the back of it with your name on it. Please make sure you have the correct number and DO NOT FOLD THE NUMBER as it will damage the timing chip. Please place it on the front center of what you are wearing.
As applicable, to whatever extent feasible, please avoid covering the bib with hydration packs.
PRE-RACE PARTY
Join us the day before the race, on Sat, July 25, from 3pm to 6pm at the finish line at North Lake to meet others and hang out. Runners, volunteers, and your friends and families are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. ($10 vehicle entrance fee charged by the park.)
BUSES TO START
The buses will meet at the finish line (click for GPS), which is at North Lake Beach parking lot (not the South Lake Beach) at North/South Lake State Park.
The buses will begin to load at 7:15 a.m. and the last bus will leave at 7:45 a.m. If you signed up for the bus, give your name to the person helping with the bus loading. If you have not, available seats will be sold off that morning at $15.00 each (CASH only - please bring exact change). THERE IS NO TRANSPORTATION BACK TO THE START AFTER THE RACE!
STARTING AREA
There are portable toilets at the start. Please use the toilets rather than the woods.
BAG CHECK
There will be bag transportation to bring your gear to the finish from the start. The bottom pull tag on your number will be used to pin on your bag for identification. Please fill in your name on the pull tag and attach it to your bag. And PLEASE pick up your bag after the race. Any bags not picked up at the race will not be shipped; you must come to Palenville to get it. Bags not claimed within 72 hours are donated.
AT THE FINISH LINE
It is $10 per vehicle to park at North/South Lake. Do NOT park along roadways, you MUST be parked in an official parking spot.
Failure to do so will JEOPARDIZE THE FUTURE OF THIS EVENT.
In addition, if bringing a pet to the FINISH, you MUST SHOW proof of vaccination at the gate or you will NOT be allowed in. All pets must be leashed.
AID STATIONS
There are 7 aid stations on the course. Each one has a LIMITED quantity of water, Tailwind (electrolyte drink), and snacks. Please note that they may ration what they give you to ensure we can accommodate EVERY participant.
There will also be menstrual products available.
Cut-off Information
With respect to the considerable logistical and safety concerns of this event, in addition to the volunteer component that supports it, there are cut-off times at each aid station as indicated below. If you reach an aid station after the indicated time, please be aware that your race will be over and you will hike out with the volunteers to their vehicles and be given a ride to the finish line.
| Distance | Location | Cut-off Time |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5M | Windham | 11:35 AM |
| 6.2M | Acra | 12:20 PM |
| 8.7M | Base of Blackhead | 1:00 PM |
| 9.6M | Top of Blackhead | 1:35 PM |
| 12.2M | Dutcher's Notch | 2:25 PM |
| 14.4M | Stoppel Point | 3:15 PM |
| 16.4M | North Point | 3:45 PM |
| 18.6M | Finish | 4:35 PM |
Please leave any trash at the aid stations; do not litter on the trail.
Repeated, DO NOT LITTER on the trail.
YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY
This course is incredibly dangerous, not just due to the terrain but the potential for lightning, rock slides, and other severe hazards that could severely injure you or even worse. Your participation reflects your acceptance that any course volunteer also serves as a race official with the authority to hold you at an aid station or ask you to drop out. When applicable, it is in situations that may be hazardous to your health. Please respect the authority of our race officials.
NO POLES OR HEADPHONES
Please note that participants are not allowed to use poles. Participants are not allowed to use headphones. This is paramount for the safety of all.
You are subject to disqualification if seen during the event OR later seen in a photograph from the event to be violating these rules.
ACCOMMODATIONS
For a list of hotels and campsites go to www.greatnortherncatskills.com.
LASTLY
Enjoy your final days counting down to the 49th running of the Escarpment Trail. I look forward to seeing you all this weekend. Yahoo!
Dick Vincent
P.S. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Escarpment Trail Run & Dick Vincent's Coaching Page