Hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy in partnership with the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, the Fifth Annual Ironmaster’s Challenge trail race will take place on April 27, starting at the Furnace Stack Pavilion and ending at the Ironmaster’s Mansion, both within Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Event participants come from all over Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic states to challenge themselves by traversing one of three different distances through Michaux State Forest and Pine Grove Furnace State Park. 

This unique south-central Pennsylvania running and hiking trail race is the biggest annual fundraiser of the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and allows it to continue to maintain, operate, and host programs at the historic, 1829 Ironmaster’s Mansion.

The three events include a 50K Ultra, a 25K Challenge, and a 15K Challenge. They begin at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 am, respectively, at the Furnace Stack Pavilion. Registration for all three events is currently sold out at 500 participants. The event ends with a festive finish-line picnic celebration at the Ironmaster’s Mansion.

Among the many sponsors and volunteers that make this event possible include F&M Trust, The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, West Shore Family Dentistry, Waggoner, Frutiger, and Daub, Americprise Financial-Stickney Associates, Pepper Hamilton LLP, Saul Ewing LLP, Lobar Construction, and Select Medical.

Our 2014 Beverage Sponsors include Filson Water and Roy Pitz Brewing Company, both supporting the event for a second year in a row.

Our finish line picnic celebration and participant goody bags are made possible by the Cumberland Valley Visitor’s Bureau, Keystone Trails Association, Chambersburg Farmer’s Market, Sodexo, Hershey’s, Utz, Emergen-C packets, Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse, and The Boiling Springs Tavern. 

The Ironmaster’s Mansion is managed by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy as a youth hostel for overnight stays by the hiking community; a group rental facility for retreats and special events; and a venue for environmental education and history programming. 

To learn more about this event, please visit the Ironmasters’ Challenge website and the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club Facebook page for new features and updates.

4/28/2014