Trail Events

The Cambria County Trails Series features an event on each of the Cambria County Trails. Proceeds from the Cambria County Trails Series benefit the enhancement and expansion of the Cambria County Trails.

Become a Friend of the Trails member and receive a $5 discount off all 2023 Trails Series events.

A Flood of Runners is returning to Johnstown, PA for the 9th year of the Path of the Flood Historic Races! This event allows runners to experience the historic 1889 Johnstown Flood in its entirety with the (new as of 2021) 14 mile course, or in small droplets through the 5K or 8 mile races. The course follows the Path of the Flood Trail, travels through Staple Bend Tunnel – the first railroad tunnel in the United States – and finishes at Peoples Natural Gas Park where you can see the historic Stone Bridge, still standing after stopping the majority of the flood’s energy. 

Prepare yourselves for a whole new experience with two new trail extensions. For those who choose the 14 Mile distance, you will have the opportunity to “be the water” as you face the new trail and it’s steep initial eighty foot ascent – forcing your way up and over the top, breaching the “dam” and allowing your potential to shift into kinetic energy where you will roil and foam along this new 1.75 mile stretch. You will be able to see the town of South Fork from a whole new perspective before rejoining our previous course and continuing towards the finish.

All runners will have the opportunity to experience the new Trolley Line Extension from East Conemaugh to Woodvale Heights. This new trail allows us to get you off that long, exposed, mean stretch of road that ran from miles 10.5 to 12.0, but running in the shade doesn’t come without a price! This Trolley Line gives everyone an opportunity to take in a view of Johnstown that few ever see with a little climb before descending into The Heights of Woodvale and the continuing shade of Plum Street, passing through the Hope Tunnel and back onto the course for a strong push to the finish at Peoples Natural Gas Park, where you can see the historic Stone Bridge, still standing after stopping the majority of the flood’s energy.

*A portion of trail is being constructed in Spring 2023, which if complete, will mean that runners will get to experience the true, and full, Path of the 1889 Flood! We will update our registrants accordingly if this course change will take place for the 2023 event.

As we are always looking to improve upon your experience each year, all three distances will have timing mats with chip timing.

This event is hosted by the  Johnstown Area Heritage Association  and the  Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority  – all proceeds benefit the Cambria County Trails and the heritage of the Johnstown region.

All proceeds from the 2023 Path of The Flood Historic Races will benefit the Johnstown Area Heritage Association and the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority Friends of the Trails program, which exists to enhance the Cambria County trails.

Visit the official website of the Races for more details.

The 8th Annual Ghost Town Trail Challenge, hosted by the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority, will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, the weekend of the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year.

The Challenge is a 32-mile long (50k), endurance hike along the entire length of the Ghost Town Trail from Black Lick, PA to Ebensburg, PA. Participants begin at sunrise and are challenged to complete the entire 32 miles by foot before sundown. This is not a race, but rather a challenge, which tests your mental and physical ability to journey this distance.

All proceeds from the Ghost Town Trail Challenge will benefit the Friends of the Trails program, which exists to enhance and expand the Cambria County Trails.

Full Challenge (32 Miles – 50k) – It begins at 7:00 a.m. at Saylor Park in Black Lick and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg.
Half Challenge (16 Miles – 25k) – It begins at 8:30 a.m. near the Wehrum Trailhead and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg.
Friends/Family Challenge (7.5 Miles – 12k) – It begins at 9:15 a.m. at the Nanty Glo Trailhead and ends at the YPCC.

The 10k out-and-back course will be along the entire Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail in Johnstown that extends from Riverside to Sandyvale. Participants will follow the scenic section of the trail along the Stonycreek River and will pass by the Trail Art Murals near the old trolley bridge in Moxham. The 5k out-and back course will begin and end in Riverside, with a turn around point at Bridge Street.

All proceeds from the Jim Mayer Trail Family Fun Run will benefit the Friends of the Trails program, which exists to enhance and expand the Cambria County Trails.

Youth entry is FREE for ages 17 and under for each of the two distances in this event.

Join us for two days of running and biking along PA’s 2020 Trail of the Year at the 3rd annual Chernisky Ghost Town Trail-a-thon! Youth entry is FREE for ages 17 and under in this event. We were excited to add an Athletes with Disabilities division in 2022 and will continue to do so! While the marathon and 15-miler are limited to hand cycle only, we welcome all non-motorized support devices in our 5k and 1 mile distances.

The running event will take place on TBD, offering a full marathon, 15-miler or 5k for runners to enjoy. The bicycling event is an unsupported leisurely ride along the Ghost Town Trail on TBD. All pre-registered participants will receive a commemorative long sleeve Trail-a-thon shirt. Finishers of the running races will receive a finisher’s medal, and top 3 placement prizes male/female will be issued per distance, with the relay being awarded overall top 3 placement prizes. The full marathon course spans across all but 5 miles of the Ghost Town Trail system in Cambria County, and includes the newly constructed trail connection to Duman Lake County Park.

Those participating in the Sunday bike ride are encouraged to enjoy an out-and-back ride from Ebensburg to Vintondale on the Ghost Town Trail at 10AM. Those registered for the running events will have the option to add on the bike ride at a discounted rate of $10. One shirt will be provided for the Trail-a-thon, whether you are registered for a one day event or both.

Proceeds from the Chernisky Ghost Town Trail-a-thon will go to the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority’s Friends of the Trails Program and the Cambria County Regional Firefighters Association’s Fire Training Facility.