It’s time to give meaning to mountain running!
Climb It For Climate is returning to the Catskill Mountains at Belleayre Resort! Sitting just under 3500ft, this formidable mountain offers epic views of the stunning Catskill High Peaks around every turn. Runners participating will have the option of a 25K or an 8K. Both the 25K & 8K are open to hikers! Donations being collected through registration & raffle for The Catskill Center.
august 16th 2026
Presented by
course maps
The 25K course covers around 16 miles and 5000+ ft of climbing and descending on difficult terrain. We are now offering a hiking option for more of the community to join us. It is highly recommended that runners and hikers download the course map before race day.
The 8K is a more approachable and friendly start to your journey in the mountains! It is on ski slopes on Belleayre proper.
25K hikers start at 6AM
25K runners start at 8:30AM
8K start at 9:30AM
about the event
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25K, 8K
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6AM Hiker start
8:30AM 25K start
9:30AM 8K start
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This is a zero carbon event, meaning we take into account the emissions released in relation to hosting this trail race. The Running Kind will be subsidizing the cost to offset the event, however there is a fee included in your registration specifically for this cost. This will offset the carbon emissions for your personal travel to and from the event. We are excited to partner with the Change Climate Project to support a carbon offset project we believe in. In addition to going zero carbon at this event, The Running Kind will be collecting monetary donations for The Catskills Center.
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HOKA
Who Gives A Crap
Salt Stick
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M | 2:43:00
F | 2:58:12
X | 4:15:08
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Aid #1 - 12PM
Rider Hollow Intersection - 1:30PM
Aid #2 - 2PM
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Gently worn, used or new shoes are accepted for donation for Sneakers 4 Good. Funds raised from the Sneakers 4 Good program will go to our nonprofit partner, The Catskill Center.
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The Running Kind and Sassquad Trail Running are bringing you a brand new mountain running series: Mountain Madness. This series combines four events, two from each brand. Those that join the fun and run all four events throughout 2026 will have a true taste of Northeast trail running & will earn a commemorative item.
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In an effort to improve diversity in trail racing and remove a potential barrier for the under-served and under-represented, Go Beyond Racing established the Trail Mix Fund™ in 2021. This Fund pays the race registration fee for runners who cannot afford it or aren’t sure they belong in the sport. The response to the Trail Mix Fund was so positive that this official not-for-profit organization was created and is now helping more trail racers get to the starting line.
Do you want to race but can’t afford the entry fee? Are you a part of the BIPOC or LGBTQ+ community?
Apply to the Trail Mix Fund to have your registration fee waived to any of our events.
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looking for support in training?
trail work
Join us for trail work on the 25K course on Balsam Mountain. This trail work will take you over up from McKinley Hollow Trailhead and will be supported by Runners For Public Lands, The Catskill Center and the NYNJ Trail Conference.
June 28th at 9:30AM
course preview
Join us for a preview of middle section of the 25K course on Balsam Mountain. The route will cover 8 miles and 3000ft of elevation change. There is a shorter option available [unguided] to the summit of Balsam, covering 5.5 miles and about 2000ft.
May 23rd at 9:30AM
saturday august 15
3pm shake out run
Join us for 2-3 miles on some easy cross country trails at Belleayre to shake things out. HOKA will be on site with demo shoes!
Meet at Discovery Lodge.
We are bringing back our pre-race dinner in 2026. You can add this on to your registration for $25. There will be vegan and gluten free options. Hikers must pick up bibs here.
Meet at Catskill Visitor Center
4:30pm bib pickup & pre-race dinner
6pm live podcast
While you are eating, we are bringing you an inside look at the Climb It For Climate Live Podcast hosted by race director and founder, Aimee Kohler. Guests: Michelle Merlis, Maeve Thistel, Kim Levinsky, Julie McGuire.
Meet at Catskill Visitor Center
live podcast guests
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Michelle Merlis is a mountain/ultra/trail runner from the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. She loves all kinds of running but is drawn to steep and technical environments and has a particular fondness for the Catskill Mountains. She has run and raced all over the world, including competing in the Skyrunning World Series in 2024, and has qualified for the US Mountain and Trail Team (Thailand, 2022) and the US Skyrunning Team (Spain, 2024).
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Maeve Thistel is a trail and ultra runner based in Lancaster, PA. She has tackled some impressive challenges in her short time as a runner. These accomplishments include running 100 miles on a track and setting a new course record on the hyper-technical 50K at C’mon Armageddon.
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Kim Levinsky is the founder of Sassquad Trail Running, where she produces inclusive, community-driven trail events that welcome both hikers and runners of all abilities. She is a passionate advocate for mental health, using the trails as a platform to break stigma and connect people to support and each other. In 2023, she set the first women’s FKT on the 358-mile New York Long Path, with the goal of inspiring more people to get outside and experience the transformative, healing power of these incredible Beast Coast trails.
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Julie McGuire is a high school English teacher, outdoors enthusiast, and avid backcountry skier. She recently became the third person and first woman to ski all 33 Catskill High Peaks. Julie volunteers as a trail maintainer with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. She is currently pursuing a new project to ski the “lower 67,” with hopes of also becoming the first person to ski the 100 highest mountains in the Catskills.
Presented by
not running? get involved!
volunteer
Come join us on race day and be a part of helping us move the sport to zero carbon. Opportunities available before race day, day of event & post event.
Course Marking
Aid Station Support
Sweepers
Please email us with your availability & interest! Those that volunteer with us earn a future free race entry!
partner
Are you a business owner or part of a team? We want to have you involved in our event. We have opportunities for corporate partnership, discounts and volunteering.
Feel free to also utilize this to share sustainable brands with us that you would like to see at this event! We are excited to continue engaging the Catskill community at Climb It For Climate.
The Running Kind and Sassquad Trail Running are bringing you a brand new mountain running series: Mountain Madness. This series combines four events, two from each brand. Those that join the fun and run all four events throughout 2026 will have a true taste of Northeast trail running & will earn a commemorative item.
