YOUNGSTOWN ULTRA TRAIL CLASSIC
This is the 22nd YUTC Event. Mill Creek Park is a very scenic and picturesque area maintained by the Ohio Metro Parks system. It is the second largest urban park in the USA - only Central Park is larger. The current course is 95% single track past large mature trees, past lakes and waterfalls. It is mixture of short steep hills followed by runnable terrain. There is approximately 1397 feet of elevation gain per 25K loop.
The 25K course is one loop around Mill Creek Park. The 50K course is two loops around Mill Creek Park. This is a terrific race for the newcomers to trail running and challenging for the old veteran trail dogs. YUTC will provide everyone with a truly memorable experience. You will find yourself stopping and snapping photo after photo to share with friends and family.
The YUTC Course:
The course begins at the Bresko Pavilion and travels clockwise around the park passing the Mill then traveling through the Covered Bridge to the aid station on the other side. After leaving the aid station, the course travels counter clock wise around Newport Lake. The course returns to the Covered Bridge and the aid station. After leaving the Covered Bridge aid station for the second time, the course travels clockwise back to the Wick Recreation area - to the finish line/aid station at the Bresko Pavilion. The course will be well marked on race day. There will be white ribbon hanging from the trees, white pie plates indicating turns and water based white paint on the ground with arrows.
Notes:
The course will remain approximately the same this year. The 2025 race will continue to circle Lake Newport. The original YUTC course circled the lake. The course will again circle the Lake Newport.
Registration
- The race is capped at 250 runners. 125 runners for the 25K and 125 runners for the 50K.
- In 2026 - there will be race day signups!
- NO transfers for any reason! Deferments will be permitted in the case of pregnancy and post partum issues.
- NO REFUNDS - NO EXCEPTIONS!
- REGISTRATION NOTE: Your requested Tee Shirt size will not be guaranteed if your Race Registration is received after 5:00 PM on August 16, 2026.
Race Day Information
- Packet pickup will begin at 6:15 AM in the parking lot at the Wick Recreation Area near the playground. (Bib numbers, tee shirts and swag)
- There are flush toilets at the new recreation center and the golf office. Porta-johns and pit toilets are also available nearby. NOTE: the porta-johns will be available even if the new recreation center building is open.
- Race starts and finishes at the Wick Recreation Center – Upper Field - near the Bresko Pavilion
- 7:30 am start for the 50K runners and end at 4:30PM - Note - 50K runners must leave the start/finish line for their second loop by 12:30 PM.
- 8:00 am start for the 25K runners and end at 4:30PM
- The park will be open. There will be other visitors in the park. Please be respectful.
- Please remember that we are guests in Mill Creek Park. Cause no damage and do not litter.
Aid Stations
There are two aid stations at the Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic:
- Covered Bridge - you will visit this aid station two times per 25K loop. The first visit is approximately 7 miles from the start. The second visit is at approximately 11 miles. If you are running the 50K race, you will visit the Covered Bridge Aid Station two more times: at approximately mile 21.5 and approximately 25.5.
- Start/Finish Line - you will visit this once for the 25K race - mile 15.5 - this will be the end of your race. You visit twice for the 50K race - once at the mile 15.5 and at the end of the race 31 miles.
NOTE : Feminine products will be available at both aid stations. Our aid stations are manned by friendly and encouraging volunteers. The food will not be packaged – we will have nutritious and delicious cut fruit, sandwiches, snacks - water, Gatorade and other drinks
There will be an after-race party this year. We are going to celebrate in the Bresko Pavilion same as 2025. We encourage family and friends to join you after you cross the finish line for photos and fellowship. Last year, the hillside at the finish line was covered with a cheering crowd. Waving and shouting as the runners valiantly charged up the hill to the finish. Let's continue this wonderful tradition!
Finisher Awards
In 2026, the finisher's will be a running visor marked with "YUTC 25K 50K" . A running shirt will be given to all runners during check-in and a finisher's bumper sticker will be awarded at the finish line.
To be considered a Finisher of YUTC you MUST meet these four conditions:
- Start at the correct time for your event at Wick Recreation Area
- Complete the entire prescribed course by running, walking or crawling under your own power. In addition, you MUST complete the course in the correct direction.
- Complete the distance that you are registered to run (You can NOT change distances during the race)
- Finish the race for your registered distance by 4:30 PM
NOTE: There will be two organized orientation/training runs in 2026 starting at Wick Recreation Area at 8:00 AM.
- June 13, 2026
- July 18, 2026