Steel Rail Races

Race Start Times:

• 9:00 AM – Saturday, May 17: FREE Mo’ Mile Kids Free
• 7:30 AM for the Marathon
• 8:30 AM for the Half
• 9:00 AM for the 8K

Race Perks:

• Technical short sleeve shirt to all runners.
• Finisher medal.
• One FREE Steel Rail Pale Ale from Berkshire Brewing Company at the race finish. (must have ID and be 21+)
• Eastern State Provisions will be serving up their delicious hot pretzels and waffles for the post race celebration.
• Post race party with live music!
• New England Photo Booth on site at the finish for runners to grab instant photos with friends and family to take home that day
• Raffle and much more!
• Benefits the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail & DCR

More Race Info

Mo Mile Kids Run

The Mo Mile is a free event for students age 12 and under, held on Saturday, May 17 at 9:oo AM – the day before the Steel Rail Races.

• Students age 6 and under will register for the half mile run.
• Students age 7-12 will register for the one mile race.
• Runners can pick up their bibs at Berkshire Running Center 8:00 AM  to 8:45 AM on Saturday, May 18 before the race.
• The run will begin at 9:00 AM with the half mile run for the younger racers, immediately followed by the one mile run.

Steel Rail Races – Courses

All three race routes are out and back courses on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and all three races start and finish at the Crane Ave trailhead. View Map

Course Certificates

• View the USATF Steel Rail Marathon Course Certificate here (PDF)
• View the USATF Steel Rail HALF Marathon Course Certificate here (PDF)

Course Time Limits
The time limits on the course are set to comply with the road closures. Our permits allow us to have the road closure for 6 hours from the marathon start. Support on the course follows road closures and the clocks will end promptly at 1:30pm for all participants.

Bib Pick Up

Berkshire Running Center
Located in Allendale Underground Shopping Center
5 Cheshire Rd Suite 119
Pittsfield, MA 01201

• Friday, May 16 – from 10:00 am-6:00 pm
• Saturday, May 17 – from 10:00 am-3:00 pm – Plus the Mo Mile Kids Run starts at 9:00 am
• Sunday, May 18 DAY OF REGISTRATION* & BIB PICK UP – 6:00 am-7:00 am ONLY (*until sold out which usually happens before race day) Day of registration fees: $175 (26.2) | $125 (Half) | $100 (8k)

Important Bib Information

Your bib will have two timing chips attached with safety pins. These chips are coded to match your bib, please do not mix them up with other runners. You are assigned a bib for the race for which you are registered. There are no transfers between races. Your time will not record for any other race that day.

• Your bib must be placed on the front of your body, clearly visible to race officials.
• Please place bibs on the front of your shirt or shorts, NOT ON YOUR BACK, so that our timers can read your bib number.
• Each runner needs one timing chip on each leg with no clothing covering them in order to ensure your chip is picked up.
• Chips can be placed lower on the shorts or on the shirt if it is untucked..
• Timing chips should be attached to your clothing using a safety pin for each chip.
• Chips must be visible for the readers to pick them up.

We recycle the timing chips so please drop them off at the pink basket at the finish line water station, your bib is yours to keep!

Berkshire Running Center Store Deals
Runners will receive an additional 10% off their purchase at BRC with their race bib on May 16 & May 17.

Prizes | Awards

• Prizes will be awarded for overall top 3 male and female in each race, and for top finisher in each age category  (0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)

Awards Ceremony

• The awards ceremony will take place around 12:00 pm.

Directions | Parking

The Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K all start and finish at the end of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, 850 Crane Ave, Pittsfield, MA. Parking is available at the Allendale Shopping Center, located 500 yards from the start/finish.

PLEASE PARK IN DESIGNATED AREA ONLY AS BUSINESSES ARE OPEN DURING THE EVENT AND WE DO NOT WANT TO USE THEIR VALUABLE SPACES. YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO TOWING!

Marathon Relay parking is available in the Adams Visitor Center approx 1/3 mile from the relay handoff.

Toilets & Water Stops

• There will be porta-potties at the start of each races as well as the state restrooms at the trail start and Farnum’s Crossing.
• There will be water stops at Miles 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 with Gu Brew from miles 6-24.

Runners & Spectators Please Note

The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is not closed to the public during this event.

• Runners MUST be aware that there will be others on the trail, cyclists, skaters, etc.
• Headphone are potentially hazardous on a bike path as you are limiting your ability to be aware of what is around you, course marshals, bikes, and other traffic. For reasons stated we discourage the wearing of headphones.
• Wheelchairs and other disabled push strollers are welcomed. To help accommodate your needs, please contact us and let us know you are coming and we can help with any accommodations you require.
• Please. Baby strollers are not allowed.
• Please. Dogs are not allowed.

Spectators
The best place to watch and cheer your runners is at the many road crossings along the course. The course map can be found here: Course Map

The most ideal spot to see your runner will be at the closed lots of the first entrance to the Berkshire Mall on Rt 8. This is ideal for a long look at your runner, a perfect photo op. Once you see them you will have ample time to get to the car and drive to the finish line. Due to the limited accessibility to the trail and in order to provide the runners with the most safe experience, spectators will be strongly discouraged from going onto the trail between Crane Ave and the finish line.

SPECTATORS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE AND ENTER THE CHUTE TO FOLLOW YOUR RUNNER

Please kindly understand this will be strongly enforced. To ensure you can get to your runner after they cross the line, you would be best to be on the Crane Avenue side of the finish line.

The Fine Print

Can I switch events?
Yes, you may switch your event no later than May 10th – if there is space available in the desired event. Runners can transfer between events up until May 10th. You can do a transfer on your registration portal through zippyreg.com. Once race packets are created, there will be no changes made. There will be no refund for race changes, you will be charged the difference if you choose a longer event.

Refunds
No refunds under any circumstances, including event cancellation or postponement.

Events are planned and paid for months in advance of the actual date. IF our event is canceled or postponed because of weather, pandemics, or other forces beyond our control, we won’t be able to provide refunds. In these rare situations, we’ll convert the race to a virtual one and mail you your full race goodie bag.

Due to regulations changes may be made to the course or race details for the safety of our participants and staff. Any changes will be communicated prior to the event via email, on our social media platforms, and on our website.

Thank You 2024 Sponsors!

DESCRIPTION

In May, the MountainOne Steel Rail Races are held on the DCR’s Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The proceeds from this ever-growing, sold-out event is earmarked for the first-ever municipal fund established for the City of Pittsfield by Berkshire Running Foundation. The goal is to maintain and aid with future expansion of the rail trail ensuring this valuable, recreational resource serves Berkshire county and its residents for years to come.

Thanks to our generous Sponsors and participants, since 2012 we have donated over $65,000 to be used for maintenance and repair of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail!

For businesses interested in being a part of this event, or for any questions, please contact Shiobbean Lemme.