Pain in Moraine

The Pain in Moraine returns to Portersville, Pennsylvania on September 11th for its second year of ultramarathon racing at Moraine State Park’s South Shore. Competitors will face the challenge of logging as many laps as possible around a 6.2-mile loop over an entire day and night within the park's scenic trails.
The race venue offers runners firm yet slightly soft trail conditions, ideal for long-distance running on foot or by bike if participants bring their own wheels. The pleasant valley terrain includes rolling hills with elevation gains of approximately 700 feet per lap along the Hilltop Trail and Sunken Garden Trail routes, providing a mix of challenging ascents and easier descents to keep runners motivated.
Pain in Moraine stands out as part of the Glacier Ridge Ultramarathons and Trail Race series, celebrating its second year with an expanded focus on endurance. The event attracts both seasoned ultrarunners aiming for ultra-distance milestones like completing five or more loops within 24 hours, and novices looking to test their limits in a supportive community setting. All participants receive wool socks and a Techno Lite Vest when registering by the early bird deadline of August 23rd.
The Pain in Moraine course winds through the picturesque Pleasant Valley at Moraine State Park’s South Shore, featuring mostly firm trails with soft spots that require careful foot placement. The loop route includes sections on the Hilltop Trail and Sunken Garden Trail, covering a total distance of approximately six miles each lap. Competitors will encounter varying elevations throughout their journey.
Weather conditions for September in Portersville typically offer moderate UV exposure without extreme temperatures or heavy precipitation risks. Runners should expect comfortable trail running weather with firm and slightly soft terrain underfoot. The main tent serves as an aid station, providing hot food options like toasted cheese sandwiches, ramen noodles, and pizza throughout the night.
The race offers a 24-hour ultramarathon challenge for participants looking to log multiple laps around Moraine State Park’s South Shore trails. Competitors can register at any time during or before the event, with on-site registration available if capacity has not been met. The full Pain in Moraine takes place near Portersville's Sunken Garden Trailhead.
Registration is open until September 11th via https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=136132 for a fee of $75.00, with additional swag available to early registrants by the August 23rd deadline. On-site packet pickup occurs from 5:00 PM to 6:45 PM on Friday at Sunken Garden Parking lot within Moraine State Park’s South Shore area.
The start and finish line are located near Portersville, Pennsylvania, specifically at the Sunken Garden Trailhead in Moraine State Park. The main event begins promptly at 7:00 PM on September 11th with no age restrictions but only for those aged one or older. Runners should prepare by bringing a tent and appropriate gear as camping is allowed near the start/finish area.
The Pain in Moraine, hosted within Portersville's borders, invites endurance runners from across Pennsylvania to test their limits over its challenging 24-hour loop course at Moraine State Park’s South Shore on September 11th. This event offers a unique blend of scenic trail running and community support that draws participants back year after year for the experience.