Message from the Race Director - George Bower

The Joe English Twilight Challenge is an evening/night trail run hosted by Freestyle Farm in Amherst, NH. The event consists of a marathon, a half-marathon and a 6-hour ultra-marathon. The 6-hour ultra-marathon may be run individually or by 2 or 5 member relay teams.. The 6-hour ultra-marathon (individual and relay) begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Ultra participants run the 2.62-mile loop continuously for 6 hours.

Most of the race will be run at night on the groomed equestrian trails at Freestyle Farm.

The event is expected to draw 350 runners ranging from casual athletes to experienced ultra-runners. The event is set within a unique venue with high quality trails around a 50-acre pond. The course will be marked with fluorescent light sticks, ground flags and signal fires.

NAME: Joe English Twilight Challenge

DATE: Saturday October 1, 2022
Sunset: 6:28 p.m. EDT
Moonrise: 1:17 p.m. - Moonset 9:55 p.m. EDT

3:30 p.m. - Registration & Number Package Pickup for Individuals and Teams
5:00 p.m. - 6 Hour Ultra, 6 Hour Ultra Relay and Marathon
7:00 p.m. - Half Marathon Start
7:00 p.m. - 2 Lap Run
11:00 p.m. - Ultra Finish

Entry Fees
Individual and relay runner fee (all events): $35 by August 31
$45 September 1 to September 30
$50 October 1 (on race day until 5:00 p.m.)
Event T-Shirt (not included in entry fee) $15.

The objective of the Joe English Twilight Challenge is to host a night of distance races to raise funds for the preservation of land for public use. All proceeds from the Joe English Twilight Challenge benefit the Amherst Land Trust. The trust protects rural, scenic, and open-space lands for future generations. Since 1975, as educator and dealmaker, the trust has preserved hundreds of acres of New Hampshire conservation land for public enjoyment.

We have worked to develop a high quality distance running event. This event appeal to competitive runners, outdoor and fitness enthusiasts, and individuals and organizations with an environmental ethic.

The Joe English Twilight Challenge also enables us to foster broader awareness of the programs of the Amherst Land Trust and create linkages with the running community, trail users and environmentally conscious corporate entities.

We also seek to encourage participation in distance running and ultra-marathon events on the trails at Freestyle Farm.