Froggy Five Mile & Hard as Hell Half Marathon

Froggy Five Mile & Hard as Hell Half Marathon
Sun, 7.20.2025 · Great Barrington, MA

Details

THE EVENT HAS MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION.

It is now staged from Beartown State Forest in Great Barrington, MA.
(Approximately 1 hour east of Albany in Southwest MA.).

ABOUT

The event was created in 2008 and historically held in conjunction with ARE Event Productions' Trail Running Camp in Warrensburg, NY. For 2025, the event has moved to Beartown State Forest in Great Barrington, MA. Other than the change of location, the general scope remains the same.

The Froggy Five Mile is a challenging trail run that sends you on an undulating loop generally circling Benedict Pond. It includes some gorgeous views of the Berkshires. Be prepared for some serious climbs on mostly single track trail.

The Hard as Hell Half Marathon debuted in 2020 and features about 1,600 feet of elevation GAIN that is 85% dirt roads/10% pavement/5% trail. You will NOT PR but you will definitely enjoy the serene backroads and low key atmosphere that made this a quick favorite among its participants.

Both races are DIFFICULT courses. A LOT of elevation change and the 5M has tough footing in many places. This is only for individuals who have EXPERIENCE on this type of terrain.

WHEN

Sunday, July 20, 2025
8:30AM: Hard as Hell Half Marathon
9AM: Froggy Five Mile

WHERE

Beartown State Forest (by Benedict Pond)
Monterey, MA 01245

PARKING

We are offering FREE off-site parking at the Roadside Cafe (3.5M from the race) with a FREE van ride both TO and FROM the event.

If you desire to park AT the venue, please note that Beartown State Forest charges a parking fee of $8 for MA license plate vehicles and $30 (yes, $30!) for non-MA license plates.

There IS free parking available within Beartown State Forest, but it is HIGHLY limited in convenience to the start/finish area (free parking is permitted at the occasional pull-off along the main road.) As such, you may still end up driving a mile within the forest to find that free spot.

The event is staged from a beautiful place; take advantage of the free van ride - pack a bag to have for after the race, and enjoy hanging out post-run at the event BBQ / jumping in the pond, etc.

VAN RIDE SCHEDULE

(~7 minute drive.)

From Roadside Cafe to Start/Finish Line

Pick-up Location: Roadside Cafe
7:25AM
7:50AM
8:15AM

From Start/Finish Line to Roadside

Pick-up Location: The Finish Line
10:30AM
11:00AM
11:30AM

ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE

ARE Members save $5 here.

5M	13.1M
$25	$35	through 5/31
$30	$40	6/1 to 6/30
$35	$50	in July

AMENITIES

A post race BBQ awaits you! Along with an energetic race atmosphere with music and announcing to make you smile and entertain your spectators. It is otherwise a low-key event; there is not a physical item giveaway. There are no awards. You are welcome to jump in the pond after the race or relax in a nearby creek.

PETS & STROLLERS

While you may have them on-site at the event, you are not permitted to participate with pets or strollers.

VOLUNTEER

Help us make it happen! Whether you want to get in a hike as part of your role or be along the road, the choice is yours!

Volunteer Sign-up

COURSE

OVERVIEW

FROGGY FIVE MILE
Elevation Gain: ~950' (About 50' more than the 2024 course)
Water Stops: 1 (at Mile 3.5)
The course is quite varied, including easy and wide sections of trail, relentless uphill grinds on single-track mired in rocks and roots, and everything in between. IT IS HARD with horrific footing at times. ONLY for those with serious trail running/hiking experience.

HARD AS HELL HALF MARATHON
Elevation Gain: ~1600' (About 200' more than the 2024 course)
Water Stops: 3 (at 4.3M, 7.7M, and 10.7M)
This will probably be among the hardest half marathons you ever run that is not on trail. You will never get a break, and the first 4 miles will have you begging for mercy. You'll then get a 7 mile break that will feel amazing, before the last ~2 miles that may very well break your spirit - but crossing the finish line will make it all worth it!

Interactive Google Map

CUT-OFFS

Cut-offs are at Water Stops. If behind the time reaching the water stop, expect to stop once you are there or possibly be picked up by us driving backwards on the course from that water stop after the cut-off time is reached.

5M Race Cut-off
As this is a difficult and mostly REMOTE course, please do not register/start this event if not capable of hiking a mountain/lifting your own body weight.
The FF course does not have a road crossing until about 3.5M (WS #1). Anyone reaching there after 52 minutes (~15 minute pace) will be asked to stop and given a ride back to the finish line.

13.1M Race Cut-offs
4.3M (WS #1) - 58 Minutes | 13:30 minute pace (mostly uphill to here)
7.7M (WS #2) - 1:40 | 13:00 pace (gradual downhill to here)
10.7M (WS #3) - 2:14 | 12:30 pace (very downhill to here)
Finish: 2:50:00 (11:20AM) (13:00 pace)

COURSE WATER

This is a CUPLESS event. You must provide your own bottle. The event does not provide any items on the course besides water re-fill. If you desire nutrition, you must carry it with you.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER ON THE COURSE.
Discard of items ONLY at water stops (or the finish line.)

FROGGY FIVE MILE
Bottle re-fill will be available in one location, at the 3.5M mark of the course.

HARD AS HELL HALF MARATHON
Bottle re-fill will be available in the following locations:

4.3M (Top of the Mount Wilcox Climb)
7.7M (Beartown Mntn Road at Brace)
10.7M (Brett Rd at Swann)