The Dark Sky 50 Ultramarathon
The Dark Sky 50 from 2017 to 2021 it was a 50-mile ultramarathon race, The plan for 2023 is to convert it to a 50-K race to help fill the need for a shorter event. The race is run through Pickett State Park and Big South Fork. The
course is mostly runnable on single/double track with a couple of jeep road miles thrown in. Expect creek crossings, rolling hills, a little technical terrain, and amazing views! The race takes you by such landmarks as the Hazard
Cave and Natural Bridge at Pickett State Park and John Muir Overlook, Maude’s Crack, Charit Creek Lodge, Twin Arches, and Gobbler’s Knob in Big South Fork.
The inaugural race was held in 2017 and due to our web site crash in November 2022 most of the information was lost. The race was not held in 2020 due to CoVid and 2022 was an off year due to schedule conflicts.
WHY DARK SKY?
Pickett State Park is the first state park in the Southeast to be listed as a certified dark sky viewing location by the International Dark-Sky Association! Be sure to hang around after the Dark Sky 50 to enjoy the beautiful star-gazing!
This was the clubs first time doing an event on this scale. Everything worked out well for both operators and racers.
The race quickly sold out in 2018 and once again the team at BSFARC was able to provide all the necessary communications for the event.
Dark Sky 50 – 2019
Besides having a runner go off course the event was sucessful.
After missing 2020 due to CoVID it was great to see everyone on the trails again.
Dark Sky 50 – 2023
We are looking forward to April 2023 when the Dark Sky race comes back to the Big South Fork region!