The Descent Trail Race

The Descent

Welcome BACK to The Descent!!! The FIRST EVER trail race to have DESCENDING time cutoffs and the only race in Blue Hills Reservation to climb the black diamond ski slope! This is a fun but very challenging race with technical downhills, rolling hills, a few fast sections, and one steep, steep incline. There are 2 parts to this race (The Descent Trail Race and Endurance Challenge) with runners welcome to run one or both. 

The Descent Trail Race

The Descent Trail Race is a 2.5 mile trail race starting at the bottom of the Blue Hills main ski slope. Runners will climb the ski slope, descending along a technical course before climbing the ski slope again to the finish. The course has a total elevation gain of 751 feet with the ski slope being 309 feet over a quarter mile at both the beginning and end. 

The Descent Endurance Challenge

For those who think one lap just isn’t enough, we introduce you to The Descent Endurance Challenge! The Descent Endurance Challenge includes the first lap of the trail race and every lap thereafter. The start/stop will be at the top of the ski slope with the area to also serve as runner's bag drop. Runners will have the opportunity to complete as many laps of the 2.25 mile course as possible over the course of 8 hours. However, DESCENDING time cutoffs will be added every 2 hours with runners eliminated if not finishing within the allotted time. Hours 0-2 will have no time cuts. Hours 2-4 will have a 35 minute time cut-off per lap. Hours 4-6, 25 minute time cut. Hours 6-8, 15 minute time cut. ***You do not have to run continually. Each lap completed you have the option to rest as long as you'd like and check in before going out for an additional lap. Time will start once you start your next lap.*** Most laps win. Goodluck!!