The fourth annual Allegheny 100 is scheduled to take place June 7-9 on the Allegheny National Forest Chapter’s stretch of the North Country Trail.

The Allegheny 100 Challenge is an endurance event in unsupported backpacking. It’s not a race, but an attempt by all entrants to finish the course in 50 hours. There also are 25-mile, 50-mile and 75-mile challenges on the same trail for those of differing skill levels or those who don’t want to commit to the longest course.

The coursewill extend from just south of Marienville, at Vowinckel, to Willow Bay near the New York border. The hike’s direction rotates every two years, giving short-distance hikers a chance to complete all 100 miles of trail over time; in 2014 it will run north to south.

Entry donation is $40, which includes membership in the North Country Trail Association, trail shuttle service and a T-shirt. Preregistration is limited to the first 100 hikers and closes May 31 at noon for shuttling service and T-shirts. Walk-ins are welcome the day of the event until 5 p.m. if spots remain open.

The challenge will start June 7 at 6 p.m. and continue until June 9 at 8 p.m. Hikers must bring their own food, drinks and gear. Leave-no-trace principles and safety will be discussed before the hike. U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, of Howard Township, Centre County, R-5th Dist., will release the hikers June 7.

There were 82 hikers who participated in the Allegheny 100 in 2012, a 382 percent increase in participation since the inception of the event in 2010. There were 33 hikers who attempted the 100 miles a year ago; 31 chose to hike the 50-mile option and 18 hiked the 25-mile challenge.

The 2012 Allegheny 100 Challenge participants. Contributed photo

For event or sponsorship information, contact Karen M. Klos at 8320 Route 337, Tidioute, PA 16351-4318; (814) 484-7420; or nct001@verizon.net.

For hiking strategy questions,contact three-time 100-mile participant Michael Merry at michaelmerry@rocketmail.com.

For information on the North Country Trail, contact the North Country Trail Association, 229 E. Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331; call toll-free at (866) 445-3628; e-mail hq@northcountrytrail.org.; or visit northcountrytrail.org.

For information on the ANF chapter, contact chapter president Keith W. Klos at 8320 Route 337, Tidioute, PA 16351-4318; (814) 484-7420; or nct001@verizon.net.

Michael Merry, a fire claims reinspector from from Newburgh Heights, Ohio, became the first person to finish the Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge twice.

Merry was one of 33 hikers who elected the 100-mile, 50-hour endurance challenge on the North Country Trail through the Allegheny National Forest. He was one of just six people to complete the challenge, in 45 hours. He was the first person to complete the through-hike in 2011, the second year of the event put on by the Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Scenic Trail.

Eric Chapman, a third-time participant like Merry, complete the hike in a little over 45 hours. Amanda Debar and Kevin Skilskyj were the first couple and Debar the first woman to make it through, in 46 hours. Jennifer Aradi became the first solo female to finish, in a little more than 46 hours. John Schmitt from Scottsville, N.Y., finished in 47 hours.

An additional 31 hikers elected the 50-mile hike and 18 opted for the 25-mile hike.

The 2012 Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge participants.

Start training now for the third annual Allegheny 100 Challenge, a 50-hour, 100-mile hike June 8-10 on the North Country Trail in and near the Allegheny National Forest.

The Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail puts on the hike, which isn’t a race but rather an endurance challenge. Hikers go at their own pace over the rolling terrain, or on 25-mile or 50-mile alternatives.

Hikers of all skill levels are invited to the hike, which will start June 8 at 6 p.m. Participants receive membership in the North Country Trail Association, trail shuttle service and a T-shirt. Hikers must pack along their own food, drinks and gear.

The course will start at Vowinckel, south of Marienville, and end up at Willow Bay, just south of the New York border, crossing through trail towns in McKean, Warren and Forest counties.

For information, contact ANF Chapter president Keith W. Klos at 8320 Route 337, Tidioute, PA 16351-4318, (814) 484-7420 or nct001@verizon.net; or reach project leader Bert Nemcik at bnemcik@yahoo.com or (814) 927-8303. Registration deadline is June 1 for shuttling service and tee shirts. Those with sponsorship interests can contact Karen M. Klos at 8320 Route 337, Tidioute, PA 16351-4318, (814) 484-7420 or nct001@verizon.net.

Michael Merry, of Newburgh Heights, Ohio, became the first hiker to finish the 100-mile trail in 2011.

A fire claims inspector from Newburgh Heights, Ohio, is the first person to complete the Allegheny 100 Challenge.

Michael Merry completed the 100-mile hike through the Allegheny National Forest on the North Country Scenic Trail in 45 hours June 10-12. He was one of 51 registered hikers who started the Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail’s second annual A-100 Challenge.

Hikers who commit to the 100-mile event must complete the hike in 50 hours. There also were 25-mile and 50-mile options.

“My advice to everyone would be to hike … a lot,” Merry said. “And hike to enjoy it. If you do that, the miles end up breezing by and you will naturally ramp up. As your mileage goals increase, simplify everything from what you are carrying, your processes (eating, drinking, camping) and your state of mind so that it is really all about the hiking. In order to get 100 miles (if that is your goal), you really can’t do much more than hike. My extra time was spent sleeping, caring for feet and cleaning myself. That is really it. I spent more time signing trail registers than I did doing just about anything else except walking.”

John Schmitt from Scottsville, N.Y, completed 80 miles. All of the 50-mile and 25-mile hikers finished within 50 hours.

Allegheny 100 Challenge 2012 information will be available after September at www.northcountrytrail.org.