Murrysville Monster Trail Races

The Murrysville Monster is a trail race like no other, covering 2 of the most beautiful parks in Western Pennsylvania, Duff Park and Pleasant Valley Park. This race will be a treat for the experienced and new trail runner alike. You will experience beautiful single track, water crossings, lots of elevation, log and tree obstacles, and more. Don't let the flat and fast start fool you. It is a tease for sure. The course is truly a MONSTER!

START TIMES: 

• 20K 8:00am
• 10K 8:30am

Top 3 male and female finishers in both the 10K and 20K races will receive awards.

Top 3 male and female in all age groups will also receive awards.

• 12 and under
• 13-19
• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70+

No double dipping: a participant who wins an overall top award is removed from their age group. 

Aid station 1, approximately 2 miles into the race, will have water only. 

The 10K has a full aid station at approximately mile 4.5. The 20K will also have 2 additional full aid stations in Pleseant Valley Park approximately 2.5-3miles apart. 

Western PA in July is HOT. Runners are encouraged to carry hydration and refill at the aid stations. 

All full aid stations will be staffed with amazing volunteers and stocked with the following:

• water
• Gatorade
• GU
• trail mix
• M & M's 
• fruit gummies
• cola and ginger ale
• ice

The Murrysville Monster is open to runners and walkers/hikers alike.

• The 10K and 20K events have a STRICT 4 HOUR TIME LIMIT
  • This equates to a pace of 19 minutes and 12 seconds per mile for the 20K
  • If you can not complete the 20K distance in that time, you are more than welcome to register for the 10K distance

Anyone who finishes after 4 hours will not be counted in the official results.

The following race day guidelines have been approved by the Westmoreland County Department of Health, The Township of Murrysville and the Regional Trail Corporation which manages the Westmoreland Heritage Trail.  These guidelines are in place for the safety of the participants, volunteers, and race directors.  Please do not register if you cannot follow these guidelines.  Participants who fail to abide by these rules will be removed and disqualified from the event. 

PRE-RACE GUIDELINES

• Participants must be symptom free of illness for 14 days (Oct 16th & after).  Symptomatic individuals MUST stay at home.  
• Participants traveling to event are recommended to travel alone or with members of immediate family only.
• Participants are recommend to wear a face covering to the starting line and can remove their face covering when they start running.  
• Participants must wear shirt and shoes at all times.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be provided at the start and finish line areas.  
• ​Bottled water will be available at the finish line.  We highly recommend carrying your own water; there will be a water stop available with staff wearing masks and gloves.

DURING RACE GUIDELINES

• The race will start in waves and enforce social distancing measures at the start.  
• No spitting, snotting, or projections of any bodily fluid before, during or after event.
• Restroom accommodations will be available prior to the event at Murrysville Community Center.
• All participants must avoid any physical contact with other participants which includes high fives, fist bumps, huddles, or other close contact before, during, or after the event.
• During competition, participants must abide by the six-foot mandated social distancing regulations when passing other participants. 

POST RACE GUIDELINES​

• Upon finishing the race, participants must head directly to their vehicles.  No congregating at finish line and/or parking areas.  
• Spectators are not permitted on course, at start line, finish line, or parking areas.
• Family members finishing at separate times cannot wait at finish line for other family members.  ​

Thank you for your understanding during this unique time!

2024 COURSES - WE WILL BE RUNNING ALL COURSES IN REVERSE

In an effort to keep things fresh and exciting, we will be running all courses backward in 2024.  

• CLICK HERE for STRAVA Map

GPX FILES

• CLICK HERE

10K ROUTE

• The race will start and finish near the Carson St. crossing of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, behind the Murrysville Community Center.   
• The course will run approximately .7 miles and then make a right turn into Duff Park.
• Once in the park, the race will follow the rolling gravel bike path, along the beautiful Duff Park creek, for about .6  miles then make a sharp right and head uphill into the steep, rocky and root covered single track.
• Over the next 3 miles, runners will climb about 800 feet to the top of Round Top Trail.
• Runners will then lose all their gain in less than 1/2 mile, head back out to the Heritage Trail and their final .7 mile flat and fast finish.

WATER STOPS

• There will be 2 water stops on the course at approximately miles 2 and 4.5.
• Runners are encouraged to provide their own water to get through the beginning of the race as well as the hill climb.  

20K ROUTE

• The 20K route will begin (and end) the same at the 10K but will split off and head out of Duff Park on the connector trail into Pleasant Valley Park at approximately 2.5 miles into the race.
• The climb up into Pleasant Valley is MONSTROUS but the route once inside is spectacular.  There will be about 10 creek crossings and lots of logs to traverse.
• Runners will then run down the connector trail and complete the rest of the Duff loop finishing back at the community center.
• The loop in PVP will have 2 additional aid stations, each approximately 2.5 -3 miles apart.  Stops will have water, Gatorade and GU brand gels.

Although we hope changes are minimal, we understand changes sometimes are necessary due to life events or training issues. Therefore, we have adopted the following rules:

• ALL CHANGES MUST TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO THE EVENT.
• YOU CAN NOT MAKE CHANGES ON RACE DAY OR DURING THE RACE!  
  • If you do not finish the distance you registered for, you DNF. All the best trail runners DNF sometimes. It's character-building. 

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR EVENT DISTANCE:

• All changes will incur a $5 change fee, plus any difference in race fee

  • NO CHANGES will be allowed after 7/6/25.

  • NO CHANGES will be accepted on Race day

STEPS IN RUN SIGN UP TO CHANGE YOUR EVENT DISTANCE

• Visit www.runsignup.com and click the "Athlete Login" link at the top right.
• Sign in with the email & password you used when you registered.
• Click on your profile
• Scroll down to your events.
• Choose the "2025 Murrysville Monster" from your events
• In the navigation at the top of the screen, select EVENT TRANSFER and follow the prompts on the screen.

If you are changing to a shorter distance there is no additional cost over $5.

• If you are changing to a longer distance, you pay the registration price difference, if any at the current rate, plus the $5 change fee.

You may not change distances mid-race.  If you decide to drop to a shorter race, you will be listed as a DNF in the event you registered for.

CLICK HERE for a tutorial video on how to change events.

We at GCXC love dogs and many of our staff have them.  They are a wonderful addition to any family.   However, for safety and insurance reasons, we do not allow them at our events.  Please come to our races and have a blast with your family, friends and fellow runners but we kindly ask you to leave your dogs at home.  

SERVICE ANIMALS:  If you will be accompanied by a service animal, please contact the race director before the event so that we may make the appropriate accommodations for you.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

In an effort to leave a smaller carbon footprint, GCXC has elimintaed the use of single-use plastic bottles at its events.  Post-race, we will have coolers with water and Gatorade along with paper cups for all participants to rehydrate.   Please feel free to bring your own reusable bottles or flasks to fill up at the conclusion of the event.

Please contact jessika@gcxcracing.com with series scoring questions. These scores are up to date as of Wednesday, July 16th at 11:00am. 

10K ROUTE

• The race will start and finish near the Carson St. crossing of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, behind the Murrysville Community Center.  
• The course will run approximately .7 miles and then make a right turn into Duff Park.
• Once in the park, the race will follow the rolling gravel bike path, along the beautiful Duff Park creek, for about .6  miles then make a sharp right and head uphill into the steep, rocky, and root-covered single track.
• Over the next 3 miles, runners will climb about 800 feet to the top of Round Top Trail.
• Runners will then lose all their gain in less than 1/2 mile, head back out to the Heritage Trail and their final .7 mile flat and fast finish.
• This GPX FILE is for the full 20K. If following it, DO NOT leave Duff Park. 
  • There is a yard sign indicating the turn-off to the connector to Pleasant Valley usually in the park. 
  • On race day, there will be a course marshal at the split as well as signage. 

WATER STOPS

• There will be 2 water stops on the course at approximately miles 2 and 4.5.
• Runners are encouraged to provide their own water to get through the beginning of the race as well as the hill climb.  

20K ROUTE

• The 20K route will begin (and end) the same at the 10K but will split off and head out of Duff Park on the connector trail into Pleasant Valley Park at approximately 2.5 miles into the race.
• The climb up into Pleasant Valley is MONSTROUS but the route once inside is spectacular.  There will be about 10 creek crossings and lots of logs to traverse.
• Runners will then run down the connector trail and complete the rest of the Duff loop, finishing back at the community center.
• The loop in PVP will have 2 additional aid stations, each approximately 2.5 -3 miles apart.  Stops will have water, Gatorade and GU brand gels.
• GPX FILE 

Pre-Race: TBA

Race Day: Sunday, July 13th 

• Murrysville Community Center: 3091 Carson Ave, Murrysville, PA 15668
• 6:30am-7:45am

Parking is on-site at the Murrysville Community Center.  

Address:  

3091 Carson Ave
Murrysville, PA US 15668

Any athlete who is a registered entrant and is or becomes pregnant before race day and chooses not to participate because of the pregnancy or birth will be eligible to receive a deferred entry into one of the next two subsequent races. Registrants should contact matt@gcxcracing.com to activate the deferral policy. 

• All participants will receive a pair of custom Murrysville Monster Crew Socks.  These are guaranteed to become your favorite pair for all your trail runs.
• Finishers will earn one of GCXC's famous custom medals. Medal reveal later this spring! 

The only thing better than running trail miles and supporting the Murrysville Parks and Recreation Foundation is running them with friends & family!  Invite others to join you and earn cash back on your registration.

HOW DO I EARN REWARDS?  JUST FOLLOW THESE STEPS.

• When you register, you will receive your personal rewards link in your confirmation email.
• Simply share that link with your family, friends, and fellow runners via email, social media or text.
• For every transaction that is completed, using your unique code, you will earn a referral credit.
• When you hit a level below, you will instantly earn a reward back to the payment method that you signed up with.
  • 5 referral registrations = $10 BACK
  • 10 referral registrations = $20 BACK
  • 15 referral registrations = $30 BACK
• The more you refer, the greater your rewards.  So spread the word and start saving today!

RULES

• The referral has to sign up with your unique referral link. You cannot email us "after the fact for credit" saying "I referred someone and ask for them to be added to your total.
• The RunSignUp system automatically keeps track and refunds automatically.

HOW CAN I SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED THROUGH MY REFERRAL LINK? 

• You can track your referred registrations through your RunSignUp profile. Log into RunSignUp and go to Runner Links>>My Referrals or click THIS LINK.  

There are restrooms on site at the Murrysville Community Center inside and port-o-johns outside in the parking lot.  Please be mindful that the race will begin on time regardless of your place in the restroom line so be sure to arrive early.

• As with all trail events, the goal should always be to leave the park the way you found it.
• Please stay on the trail and do not go rogue.  If the trails are muddy, please run through the mud and do not climb or run around the mud.  This causes damage to the surrounding ecosystem and then needs to be repaired by park rangers and volunteers.
• At water stops, please deposit your cups in the appropriate bins nearby, or better yet, feel free to wear a personal hydration vest to cut down on cup usage.
• Please carry out all your nutrition wrappers with you or deposit them in the garbage at the water stops on the course.
• The course is open to other walkers, hikers, runners and bikes. 
• Please be aware of your surroundings and do not run with headphones in both ears. 

PASSING OR BEING PASSED

• If you need to pass someone, kindly let them know you are coming up behind them and what side you will be passing them on.
• When being passed, kindly move aside to let faster participants continue... when it is safe to do so.

Come join GCXC at their 3 premier summer trail races and take on the "MAX VERT" Challenge

• South Ridge Trail Challenge - Sunday, June 1 2025 at North Park
• The Murrysville Monster - Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Duff and Pleasant Valley Parks
• The Two-Face 10K - Saturday, August 2, 2025 at North Park

This unique challenge is not for the faint of heart. With trail segments like Suffer This, Throat Punch, Straight Up the Mountain, and many more, this challenge will surely bring out the best in runners of all abilities.

HOW DOES IT WORK

The challenge is simple. Sign up for all 3 events at once, pick your distances at each race, and you are registered for the challenge.  And the best part is, YOU CREATE YOUR OWN CHALLENGE!  There are 18 different combinations to choose from. Pick the challenge that works for you!

NOTE:  

• ONLY RUNNERS WHO REGISTER FOR THE CHALLENGE USING THE CHALLENGE BUNDLE TILE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHALLENGE PERKS AND SERIES SCORING

• Registering for each race separately does not qualify as the "MAX VERT" challenge.

WHAT DO I GET FOR COMPLETING THE CHALLENGE

All participants who complete the challenge will:

• Receive an exclusive, commemorative, GCXC “MAX VERT" Challenge medal at The Two Face 10K on August 3, 2024.
  • MEDAL REVEAL WILL COME LATER THIS SPRING
• Receive all individual race SWAG from South Ridge, Murrysville Monster, and Two-Face:
• Pay only one transaction fee (not three!) when registering and save money.
• Get huge kudos on your accomplishment from family, friends, and fellow runners
• Experience immense pride as you strive towards YOUR MAX VERT, explore beautiful trails, climb mountains, cross streams and make memories. 

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH DISTANCES ARE RIGHT FOR ME?  WHAT'S THE VERT?

Great question.   Since some of you may be unfamiliar with these courses, we are here to help.   If you take a look at the chart below, you will see what your expected "MAX VERT" would be by selecting different distances.

So what are you waiting for?   Join the GCXC "MAX VERT" Challenge and we will see you at kick-off on June 1st at the South Ridge Trail Challenge!

In addition to earning the awesome "MAX VERT" challenge medal,  we have added two "MAX VERT" scoring challenges as well.   These scoring challenges require you to run in one of 2 distinct race series:  30K MAX VERT SERIES (3 x 10K) or 60K MAX VERT SERIES (3 x 20K). There will be awards for the top 3 male and female in both series after the Two Face 10K on August 2nd.

• 30K MAX VERT SERIES
  • South Ridge 10K
  • Murrysville Monster 10K
  • Two Face 10K Trail (if you register for the Two-Face Challenge, only your time from the trail section will count for this series)
• 60K MAX VERT SERIES
  • South Ridge 20K
  • Murrysville Monster 20K
  • Two Face Challenge (both 10K road and trail). Scoring will be assigned based on combined time for both Two-Face events (road and trail).

HOW WILL THE SCORING WORK

• Athletes will earn points for their overall place BY CHIP TIME in each of the 3 races.
• Places 1 through 15 will score at each event for both male and female divisions:
• 15Pts for first, 14 for second, 13 for third, and so on.
• After the Two-Face 10K, we will tally all the points and announce the winners.
• In the event of a tie, the runner with more head-to-head wins moves up in standing.

WHAT HAPPENS IF...

I DNS or DNF a race? You will continue to be scored in the events you complete. 

I change distances after my initial registration? Scoring eligibility is determined at the start of South Ridge Trail Challenge on June 1. If you are not registered for three 10k or three 20K events on June 1, you will not be scored. If you make changes after June 1 and are no longer registered for three 10k or three 20k races, you will be removed from scoring. 

This race is Trail Sisters Approved:

We promise: 

• Equal Podiums & Awards
• Women’s Specific Apparel & Swag
• Menstrual Products at Aid Stations
• Women On the Starting Line
• Pregnancy & Postpartum Policy