Embrace the chill and challenge yourself at the Febapple Frozen Fifty, a premier winter ultra-running event set for February 21, 2026, in the beautiful South Mountain Reservation of Maplewood, NJ. Presented by the NJ Trail Series, known for crafting memorable and technical courses, this race offers distances of 50M, 50K, 20M, and 10M, all navigating a dynamic 10-mile loop. Typical race day conditions hover around 43F for highs and 25F for lows, with a 15% chance of precipitation, promising a truly "frozen" adventure that could feature everything from firm trails to challenging sections of ice and mud.

The course itself is a captivating mix of terrain, designed to test runners with long stretches of double-wide woods roads, meandering single-track trails, and about a mile and a half of pavement. Prepare for a good combination of level patches, rolling hills, moderate climbs, and a few very steep ascents and descents, with each 10-mile loop featuring approximately 1250 feet of elevation gain. The trails are well-marked with a clear three-arrow system, guiding you through dense woods and past scenic features like partially frozen waterfalls, offering a tranquil escape from urban bustle despite its proximity to nearby cities. Aid is plentiful, with three aid stations strategically placed along each 10-mile loop, a thoughtful redesign to better support runners in colder conditions.

Starting and finishing at the Summit Field picnic area, the Febapple Frozen Fifty is more than just a race; it's an experience aimed at making running fun again. It’s a renowned event that serves as an excellent test or a perfect tune-up for longer ultras, with many runners praising its challenging nature as a significant confidence builder. While you'll vie for awards for the top three male and female finishers, true to the spirit of the NJ Trail Series, this is not a course designed for personal records but rather for grit, endurance, and enjoyment of the technical winter trails. Be prepared for strict cutoff times, especially for the longer distances, and bring a headlamp if you're tackling the 50-miler, ensuring you finish strong by the 7:00 PM overall race cutoff.