Hollowback50K Brain Melt

A fictional race on a real mountain · Saturday 5 June 2027

Hollowback50KThirty-one miles around the Hopper on Mount Greylock

One loop around the deep glacial hollow on the west side of the highest mountain in Massachusetts. 7,800 feet up, the same back down, six aid stations and fourteen hours to do it.

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Mile0.0 996 ft Hopper Road

Mile 0 · 6:00 AM

Hopper Road

Three waves leave ten minutes apart from a hayfield on Hopper Road, with the whole mountain standing over the start line. The first mile and a half is quiet road to the Haley Farm trailhead. Run it like a warm-up, because it is the flattest ground you will see all day.

996 ftStart and finish

Miles 1.5 to 5.8

Money Brook

The first climb goes up the Hopper Trail, then the Money Brook Trail, then onto the Appalachian Trail on Mount Williams. About 2,000 feet in four miles. Aid 1, Williams Ridge, sits on top at mile 5.8 with water and gels. Hikers have the right of way up here.

Up 2,180 ftAid 1 at mile 5.8

Miles 5.8 to 12

Down to North Adams

Now you give it all back. The Bernard Farm Trail drops 2,300 feet into North Adams, the lowest point of the day at 665 feet. A few blocks of town road lead to Aid 2 at Reservoir Road, mile 12: crews, your first drop bag and soup from 10 o'clock.

Down 2,300 ftAid 2 at mile 12.0

Miles 12 to 17

Ragged Mountain

Up the Bellows Pipe Trail and over Ragged Mountain at 2,500 feet, then down its far side to Aid 3, Ragged Turn, at mile 16.8. Fill everything you carry. You climb straight back over the top from there, and the next three miles are the reason this race has a name.

Up 1,400 ftAid 3 at mile 16.8

Miles 16.8 to 20

The Summit

From the turnaround it is 2,300 feet in three miles: back over Ragged, up the Bellows Pipe and the Appalachian Trail to 3,491 feet, the highest ground in Massachusetts. Aid 4 is at the top at mile 20 with broth, a medic and your crew. Bring a layer for the wind.

Up 2,300 ftAid 4 at mile 20.0

Miles 20 to 25.7

Cheshire Harbor

Down the Cheshire Harbor Trail, 1,400 feet, to Aid 5 at Old Adams Road, mile 23.2. Then the cruel part: turn around and climb the same trail back to Rockwell Road near 3,000 feet. Runners who hike this with purpose pass runners who raced the first half.

Down 1,400, up 1,000Aid 5 at mile 23.2

Miles 25.7 to 30.7

Down the Hopper

Aid 6 at Sperry Road, mile 27.3, has your second drop bag and your headlamp. From there it is 2,000 feet down the Hopper Trail through the old red spruce, out past Haley Farm and back along Hopper Road to the field you left this morning.

Down 2,000 ftAid 6 at mile 27.3

Mile 30.7 · Final cutoff 8:00 PM

Finish

A fire, a pot of soup and a hand-poured mug for every finisher. Results go up on the barn wall as you come in. Stay for the last runner. Everyone does.

30.7 miles7,800 ft up and down

Elevation · drag to scout Mile 0.0 · 996 ft

Aid stations and cutoffs

Six stops.
Seven clocks.

Every station has water and drink mix. Four of them have full aid: salty potatoes, fruit, sandwiches and broth after noon. Cutoffs are clock times from the 6:00 gun and they are the same for every wave, so set your goal below and see where your day gets tight.

Pace check

Will you make the cutoffs?

5:3010:0014:30

Start wave

Arrival times come from your goal and the climbing in each section, with a little slowing in the second half. They are a planning guide, not a promise.

#StationMileClimb inCrewCutoffYou arriveMargin

Entry

Pin on
a number.

350 runners in three start waves. Entry is $135 until 1 March, then $155. You need a trail finish of 25K or longer in the last two years. Pick the wave that matches your goal so the early climbs stay friendly.

Start wave

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Your bib goes hereFill in the form and your number comes back with your wave and start time.