In a unique running challenge for the USA and especially for the east coast. The North East Ultra 8 Sky Runner Challenge pits runners against a collection of the 8 most iconic trails in the northeastern United States. With time limits for each trail, both summer and winter. Are you ready for the toughest trail running challenge in the east of the Mississippi river?
The North East Ultra 8 Sky Runner Challenge – Trail Running Challenge
What is the North East Ultra 8 Sky Runner Challenge
The North East 8 (NE8) has been around for a long time. These 8 trails are generally considered the toughest in the north east. And for years runners and hikers have challenged themselves to complete them in less than 24 hours. Then, in 2017 northeastultra8.com created the official NEU8 challenge. Rewarding runners and hikers that could complete all 8 trails, doing each trail in less than 24 hours with a patch. A rewarding hiking challenge in itself.
Taking it a step further, in late 2021 the site released The North East Ultra 8 Sky Runner Challenge (NEU8 Sky Runner). Designed as an ultra running challenge. The group has created shorter, faster time limits for each trail. Setting paces that will force you to move quickly to have a chance of finishing in time. Not one of the 8 times would be considered easy. And if you can finish all 8 trails in their time limit your will earn the Sky Runner patch. Providing a much needed running challenge for the east coast.
And for an extra challenge, you can earn a Gold patch by completing each trail twice. Once in the winter and once in the summer.
What are the Rules
You must complete all 8 routes. Each route must be completed under the designated time set by time limit set by the NEU8 Sky Runners. There is no time limit to complete this, this is a life time challenge.
All routes will follow standard Fastest Known Time (FKT) routes. 6 out of the 8 routes are very straight forward. With the Devils Path and Pemigewasset (Pemi) Loop having route variations. Below is the info for each of those routes directly from the website:
“To clarify the Devils Path route is from Prediger road to Spructon Road not including Hunter and South Hunter. No North Dome Sherrill or Platte Clove.”
“To Clarify the Pemigewasset Loop we will use what the FKT site refers to as the “Basic Loop” which does not include Owls Head Galehead North Twin Hale Zealand or West Bond. Just the plain loop.”
Verification will follow the rules and guidelines as a FKT submission. Submission guidelines from the FKT website:
Provide:
- The original data file, usually in TCX, FIT, GPX, or KML format — copied directly from your device – GPX preferred.
- A link to your activity on Strava, Garmin Connect, Suunto App, etc.
- A link to a trip report.
- Photos, submitting the original file; image files directly from the device contain valuable metadata that is stripped-out by social media sites.
- #1 or #2 is REQUIRED; #3 and #4 is encouraged.
Trails and Cutoff Times
| Trail Name | State | Summer Time Limit | Winter Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mahoosuc Traverse | Maine/ New Hampshire | 12 Hours | 16 Hours |
| The Cranberry 50 | New York | 13 Hours | 17 Hours |
| The Pemi Loop | New Hampshire | 11 Hours | 15 Hours |
| The Taconic Crest Traverse | New York/ Massachusetts/ Vermont | 11 Hours | 15 Hours |
| The Saranac 6 | New York | 12 Hours | 16 Hours |
| The Presidential Traverse | New Hampshire | 10 Hours | 14 Hours |
| The Great Range Traverse | New York | 10 Hours | 14 Hours |
| The Devils Path | New York | 10 Hours | 14 Hours |
Reward Patches
Green Patch: Complete each of the 8 trails once, under the time limits, any time of year.
Gold Patch: Complete each of the 8 trails twice, under the time, once in winter, and once in summer.
North East 8 Trail Info and FAQs
The Mahoosuc Traverse – Maine/ New Hampshire
Distance: 31 Miles
Elevation Gain: 11,000+ Feet
Type: Point to Point
Summer Time Limit: 12 Hours
Winter Time Limit: 16 Hours
Fastest Known Time: 7:44
Link: Click Here
The Cranberry 50 – New York
Distance: 80 Kilometers
Elevation Gain: 1,350 Meters
Type: Loop
Summer Time Limit: 13 Hours
Winter Time Limit: 17 Hours
Fastest Known Time: 8:40
Link: Click Here
Pemigewasset Loop (The Pemi Loop) – New Hampshire
Distance: 28.7 Miles
Elevation Gain: 9,100 Feet
Type: Loop
Summer Time Limit: 11 Hours
Winter Time Limit: 15 Hours
Fastest Known Time: 5:27
Link: Click Here
The Taconic Crest Traverse – New York/ Massachusetts/ Vermont
Distance: 36.3 Miles
Elevation Gain: 8,500+ Feet
Type: Point to Point
Summer Time Limit: 11 Hours
Winter Time Limit: 15 Hours
Fastest Known Time: 6:45
Link: Click Here
The Saranac 6 – New York
Distance: 29 Miles
Elevation Gain: 10,000+ Feet
Type: 6 Peak in any order from one point
Summer Time Limit: 12 Hours
Winter Time Limit: 16 Hours
Fastest Known Time: 7:07
Link: Click Here
The Presidential Traverse – New Hampshire
Distance: 18 Miles
Elevation Gain: 8,500+ Feet
Type: Point to Point
Summer Time Limit: 10 Hours
Winter Time Limit: 14 Hours
Fastest Known Time: 3:38
Link: Click Here
The Great Range Traverse – New York
Distance: 35 Kilometers
Elevation Gain: 3,000 meters
Type: Point to Point / Loop
Summer Time Limit: 10 Hours
Winter Time Limit: 14 Hours
Fastest Known Time: 4:42
Link: Click Here
The Devils Path – New York
Distance: 22 Miles
Elevation Gain: 8,500+ Feet
Type: Point to Point
Summer Time Limit: 10 Hours
Winter Time Limit: 14 Hours
Fastest Known Time: 4:13
Link: Click Here
Closing Thoughts
I love this! And want to thank the two guys that run the challenge, founder Doug Duncan and president Adam Shields. We need more stuff like this in trail running. Running challenges that motivate us to push ourselves and train harder. Goals that inspire us to travel someplace new and run trails we have never seen.
Something like this is very unique to the East Coast of the United States. Typically known for not having high elevation mountain running. But these are a collection of some of the hardest trails in the east. And worth making the trip to see and experience.
This is one that will be going on my todo list. And let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
