The UTMB World Series has confirmed the addition of Rothrock by UTMB to its North American calendar of events. Scheduled for May 16–17, 2026, the new event will take place in the rugged Rothrock State Forest near State College, Pennsylvania.
It becomes the second UTMB event on the eastern side of the USA, alongside Grindstone Running Festival by UTMB.
The event will feature 50km and 25km distances, building on the legacy of the community-driven Rothrock Trail Challenge, which was first established in 2009. The 25km course will follow the classic Challenge route.
Race details and courses
- Location: Rothrock State Forest, State College, Pennsylvania.
- Dates: Saturday, May 16 – Sunday, May 17, 2026.
- Distances: 50km and 25km.
The 50km course will traverse the Tussey Ridge Trail, featuring sweeping views and passing through the Bear Meadows Natural Area, a national natural landmark.
The terrain is described as rugged, raw, and uniquely beautiful, with mountainous sections, sandstone ridges, and challenging climbs, including the ascent up Tussey Mountain.
The event will offer runners an opportunity to collect Running Stones towards qualifying for the UTMB World Series Finals at HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc.
The new race will also aim to carry forward the heritage of the previous Rothrock race management team and has a strong focus on community.
The event organisers are committed to giving back over US$40,000 to the greater Rothrock community across the first three years, awarding the funds as community grants to local non-profits focused on outdoor recreation and trail protection, such as the Rothrock Trail Alliance.
Nathan Reigner, Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation, stated that the event will showcase the best of Pennsylvania’s outdoor offerings and drive new economic activity, reinforcing the area’s position as a premier destination.
Rothrock by UTMB is the 12th North American event in the UTMB World Series calendar, which features over 60 trail running events globally.
The other East Coast event, Grindstone Running Festival by UTMB in Virginia, typically offers longer ultra-running distances including 100 miles, 100km, 50km, and 21km races.
Priority registration for Rothrock by UTMB opens on December 9, 2025, with general registration beginning on December 11, 2025.
