MCW The Tatum Classic
Welcome to the Tatum Classic, an inaugural MissionCleanWater trail race at Tatum Park designed to challenge you while turning your miles into impact. Whether you’re coming out for a strong effort, a long day on the trails, or just to be part of something meaningful, this event is built to deliver a fun, tough, and mission-driven race experience.
Set in Tatum Park in Middletown, New Jersey, this course features rolling hills, open fields, and scenic Monmouth County trails. The route is designed as a repeatable loop, giving runners multiple distance options while keeping the race atmosphere strong at the start/finish area.
The Course:
- Distance options: 1 lap, 30km, or 50km
- Loop: 4.75-mile repeatable loop
- Terrain: Trail, grass/open field sections, and park paths
- Start/Finish: Picnic area by the Holland Activity Center
- Aid Stations: One main aid station at the start/finish area
The course starts near the Holland Activity Center, moves through maintained fields and trail sections, and connects trails around the perimeter of Tatum Park before returning to the start/finish area.
MissionCleanWater
All proceeds from the Tatum Classic go directly to MissionCleanWater, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to provide reliable, safely managed clean water systems to underserved communities.
The Details
Anyone is welcome to sign up for the Tatum Classic, but there will be a 8-hour cutoff for the 50km. We will be timing runners through an RFID timing system and recording each lap as you pass the start/finish area. There will be one aid station at the start/finish line (same location). We’ll have a variety of drinks, snacks, hydration, basic first aid supplies available, and prepared foods. We will be fully planned for the heat with tons of ice. There will be no aid stations out on the course.
Race Day Schedule
- Park opens: 7:00am
- Check-in (50km): 7:15am–7:45am
- 50km Start: 8:00am
- 30km Start: 9:00am
- 1 Lap Start: 10:00am
- Course closes / Race End: 4:00pm
Runners are welcome to bring their own supplies as there is a large picnic area by the start/finish line. Spectators are allowed, but pacers are not permitted on the course unless approved by Race Directors beforehand.
Course Description
The Tatum Classic course is designed to give runners a fun, challenging, and well-rounded trail race experience at Tatum Park. Each lap includes a mix of open field running, wooded trail sections, rolling terrain, and fast runnable stretches, creating a course that rewards both patience and smart pacing. Unlike a steep, highly technical mountain-style course, Tatum offers a more rhythm-based challenge. You’ll move through changing terrain and rolling sections that can feel manageable early on, but become increasingly demanding as the laps add up. The repeatable loop format also keeps the race atmosphere strong, with runners regularly passing through the start/finish area. The course begins near the Holland Activity Center / picnic area, heads through maintained field and trail sections, connects into park trails around the perimeter, and returns to the same start/finish area each lap. We will use race signage and course markings to guide runners throughout the route. Please follow race-day markings only and do not rely on permanent park trail markers.
Athlete Program
Join MissionCleanWater’s Athlete Program and turn your race into impact. We offer complimentary race entries, custom shirts, and social media promotion for athletes who create a fundraiser for clean water. Send us an email and we will get you fully organized.