EMPORIUM — Organizers in Cameron County are creating a new event to be part of a Triple Crown series that will be available beginning next year.

Previously, a group had banded together to organize the Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run which pits long-distance runners against a grueling course that starts and ends in Emporium and takes racers over mountainous terrain with numerous changes in elevation. Similar courses have also been laid out for a 25K run and a 12K run. Numbers have been steadily growing since the event’s inception several years ago.

Last year, long-time Cameron County Canoe Classic organizer Randy Bailey announced he would step down from heading the race and was seeking a new individual or group to take over planning and logistics for events in the future. The Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run race organization and Cameron County Chamber members stepped up and volunteered to oversee this event, too. Bailey continues to work with organizers in an advisor role.

Now, a third event will be added, and participants who enter all three races will be awarded the coveted Triple Crown award.

This new event will be a “gravel race” for bicyclists. The bike race will be scheduled in September to coincide with the All Fired Up and Kickin’ Ash BBQ Competition that is held in Emporium annually. The inaugural race is planned for September of 2019.

The route, which is currently in the preliminary planning phase, will utilize a section of the West Creek Rail Trail that runs through Emporium, as does the Ultra Trail Run. The route will likely also utilize trails in the Elk State Forest, Sproul State Forest and in Sinnemahoning State Park. Though the route will be different than that run by the ultra-marathon, it will likely use some of the same or similar trails.

Organizers are currently working with Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) officials on the bike race, and have worked and continue to cooperate with DCNR on the ultra trail run and the canoe race.

In order to earn the Triple Crown, 2019 competitors will be required to enter the Cameron County Canoe Classic in April, the Bicycle Race in September, and the Sinnemahone Ultra Marathon Trail Run in October.

“There has been a lot of interest in the Triple Crown event, from both residents and people who live outside of the area,” said Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Director Tina Johns-Solak. “In January, we plan to start making announcements and opening up registration for all three events on the sinnemahone.org website, and that will be the site for all three events in the future.”

Johns-Solak stated that organizers are currently working on the website and looking into securing insurance coverage for all three events. Volunteer and local artist Nelson Haas is creating a logo for the Triple Crown and plans are in the works to create medallions or other awards for successful competitors.

Johns-Solak stated that most of the current efforts are being put into confirming the bicycle race route, and working out whether there needs to be any changes to the canoe race course for future events.

This year’s All Fired Up and Kickin’ Ash BBQ Competition will be held on Sept. 22 beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The Sinnemahone Ultra Marathon Trail Run is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20. The 50K event is 33.02 miles long. Alternate events are available at the 25K (16.24 miles) and 12K (7.5 miles) distances. All follow a similar path that is well-marked and traverses over mostly DCNR State Forest trails, including the Bucktail Path, known as the most isolated of Pennsylvania’s wilderness trails. The race begins and ends at the intersection of the West Creek Rail Trail and South Broad Street in downtown Emporium.

The Cameron County Canoe & Kayak Classic is a 12-mile race down the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning River held annually in early April. Canoes and kayaks start from the boat launch near the Emporium Country Club and travel to the Borough of Driftwood.

More information is available by contacting the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce in Emporium, or by visiting the cameroncountychamber.org or sinnemahone.org web pages. Details will be released as they are formalized.