MCW The Holmdel Classic

The Holmdel Classic

Welcome to the Holmdel Classic, an end-of-the-year 50K (ish) trail race designed to test your mental and physical endurance. If you’re looking for one final challenge before the year ends, this is it! Set in the heart of Holmdel Park in Monmouth County, New Jersey, this race offers a stunning backdrop of rolling trails, open fields, and even some friendly farm animals. But don’t be fooled by the scenery—Holmdel is home to one of the most challenging 5K cross-country courses in the country, making it the perfect proving ground for this epic ultra. The Course: -Distance: 1 loop (4.65 miles) -Terrain: 95% trail and double track -Elevation: 584ft/lap -Course link: https://tinyurl.com/2ukkraxv The Halfish event will complete 3 loops while the 50km will complete 7 loops. Our team is beyond excited for this event, and we can’t wait to see you on the trails. Are you ready to take on Holmdel?

MissionCleanWater

All proceeds from the Holmdel Classic go directly to MissionCleanWater, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing safely managed clean water systems to underserved communities. Too often, well-intended clean water projects fail within their first year, leaving communities with broken systems and empty promises. At MissionCleanWater, we ensure long-term reliability and sustainability—a commitment reflected in our 100% success rate. With every project, whether a large-scale solar distribution network or a well rehabilitation, we guarantee: -Monthly inspections and preventative maintenance to keep systems running. -24-hour emergency response for repairs—even if we didn’t build the system. -A robust supply chain delivering high-quality well replacement materials to remote areas. -Together, we’re working towards the ambitious goal of providing clean water access to 500,000 people by 2030. Every step you take in this race fuels that mission. Let’s run for change.

The Details

Anyone is welcome to sign up for this race but there will be a strict 8 hour cutoff for the 50k distance (4.07mph average). The Halfish distance is hiker friendly! We will be timing people through an RFID timing system and recording each time you complete a lap. There will be an aid station at the start/finish line which is at the same location. There will be a variety of drinks, snacks, hydration, and first aid but we will not be preparing food. We are in the works of getting hot drinks for everyone. There will not be any aid stations along the course. Park opens: 7:00am Check in: 7:15am until 15 minutes before race start. 50k Start: 8:00am Halfish Start: 9:00am 4.5mile Start: 10:00am All Races End: 4:00pm Runners are allowed to bring their supplies with them. You are allowed spectators, but you are not allowed pacers on course.

Course Description

This course will provide a wide mix of all experiences you can have on a local trail race. From grass, dirt, rocks, roots, gravel, roots, pavement, incline, decline, and open sprints, this course incorporates everything. This course takes the park's traditional cross-country roots and adds the hardest sections of single track trails in the park to create a fun and challenging 4.5 mile loop. You will start in a big open grass field and immediately launch into a 1/4 mile uphill climb followed by multiple down and uphill ascents before entering the signature feature of Holmdel Park, "The Bowl," at mile 1.5. You will experience a steep incline to exit The Bowl followed by rolling double track before turning into the woods for sustained up and downhill sections of single track before making your way back to the start/finish. We will be using lawn signs, pink flagging tape, and signs tapped to cones to assist with directions. Do not follow the trail markings.

Weather

Since this race is planned for December 13th, there is a potential for snow. This race will continue regardless of weather conditions unless stated by Monmouth county parks. They have been great to work with and are allowing us to hold this race unless they deem it unsafe the day of either due to lightning or heavy snow. If this does happen, there are no rain dates planned, and we will not be providing refunds since this is an active fundraiser for charity. We will be able to defer people's registration to other planned races in 2026 if requested.

Athlete Program

Join MissionCleanWater’s Athlete Program and turn your race into impact. We offer complimentary race entries, custom shirts, and social media promotion for athletes who create a fundraiser for clean water. Send us an email and we will get you fully organized.