Come join GCXC at their 3 premier summer trail races and take on the Max Vert Challenge

• South Ridge Trail Challenge - Sunday, May 31st, 2026 at North Park
• The Murrysville Monster - Sunday, July 12th, 2026 at Duff and Pleasant Valley Parks
• The Two-Face 10K - Saturday, August 1st, 2026 at North Park

This unique challenge is not for the faint of heart. With trail segments like Suffer This, Throat Punch, Straight Up the Mountain, and many more, this challenge will surely bring out the best in runners of all abilities.

How does it work?

The challenge is simple. Sign up for all 3 events at once, pick your distances at each race, and you are registered for the challenge.  And the best part is, YOU CREATE YOUR OWN CHALLENGE!  There are 18 different combinations to choose from. Pick the challenge that works for you!

Notes:  

• ONLY RUNNERS WHO REGISTER FOR THE CHALLENGE USING THE CHALLENGE BUNDLE TILE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHALLENGE PERKS AND SERIES SCORING

• Registering for each race separately does not qualify as the Max Vert challenge.

All participants who complete the challenge will:

• Receive an exclusive, commemorative, GCXC Max Vert Challenge medal at The Two Face 10K on August 1st, 2026
  • Medal reveal will come later this spring
• Receive all individual race swag from South Ridge, Murrysville Monster, and Two-Face
• Pay only one transaction fee (not three!) when registering and save money.
• Get huge kudos on your accomplishment from family, friends, and fellow runners
• Experience immense pride as you strive towards your max vert, explore beautiful trails, climb mountains, cross streams and make memories. 

In addition to earning the awesome Max Vert challenge medal,  we have added two Max Vert scoring challenges as well.   These scoring challenges require you to run in one of 2 distinct race series:  30K Max Vert Series (3 x 10K) or 60K Max Vert (3 x 20K). There will be awards for the top 3 male and female in both series after the Two Face 10K on August 1st.

• 30K Max Vert Series
  • South Ridge 10K
  • Murrysville Monster 10K
  • Two Face 10K Trail (if you register for the Two-Face Challenge, only your time from the trail section will count for this series)
• 60K Max Vert Series
  • South Ridge 20K
  • Murrysville Monster 20K
  • Two Face Challenge (both 10K road and trail). Scoring will be assigned based on combined time for both Two-Face events (road and trail).

How Scoring Works

• Athletes will earn points for their overall place by chip time in each of the 3 races.
• Places 1 through 15 will score at each event for both male and female divisions:
  • 15Pts for first, 14 for second, 13 for third, and so on.
• After the Two-Face 10K, we will tally all the points and announce the winners.
• In the event of a tie, the runner with more head-to-head wins moves up in standing.

If you DNS or DNF a race, you will continue to be scored in the events you complete. 

If you've change distances after your initial registration, scoring eligibility is determined at the start of South Ridge Trail Challenge on May 31st. If you are not registered for three 10k or three 20K events on May 31st, you will not be scored. If you make changes after May 31st and are no longer registered for three 10k or three 20k races, you will be removed from scoring.