One of a series of races organized by Willow Health & Wellness Center that take place in the area throughout the year, the Old Forge races start near the George T. Hiltebrant Recreation Center on North Street, just north of the village itself and the Enchanted Forest Water Safari park.
From there, the course unfolds north along North Street and Carter Road, where you’ll turn left and begin a big looping stretch that will take you around the northern end of Little Safford Lake and past Clear Pond, along a combination of mostly gravel and dirt roads.
Don’t expect huge hills here — the highest point on the course tops out at just over 1,840 feet above sea level, while the lowest lies at about 1,713 feet. There are plentiful rolling hills throughout the half marathon route, but no big changes in elevation to speak of.
The trails you’ll be running along serve as snowmobile trails in the winter and biking and hiking trails in the summer, and the final few miles of the race will bring you through the woods between Lake Rondaxe and Old Forge.
The half marathon takes place on Friday afternoon and on Saturday morning (you’ll choose your day while registering), while the other events take place over the course of the weekend. The half marathon course will close after 3 hours, 45 minutes on Friday and after 5 hours on Saturday, so you’ll have plenty of time to complete your 13.1 miles — organizers plan to place 6 aid stations out on the course, two of which will have Gatorade, they add.
The full marathon route will continue on toward East Bay, and then head back to Old Forge for the race finish along with the half marathon and 5K.