I ran the full Montour Trail from Coraopolis (Mile 0) to Clairton on July 10, 2025, completing the route in 8 hours and 31 minutes unsupported, carrying everything I needed from start to finish without any outside assistance, drops, or resupply.
I began at 7:03 AM from the Mile 0 trailhead in Moon Township. Weather was warm and humid, with a projected high of 82°F and thick summer air from the start. I carried all of my water and nutrition: two 20 oz handheld bottles, and two 10 oz waist bottles. I also had electrolyte tablets, caffeine, and gels on me.
The early miles felt smooth — mostly gradual uphill and shaded — and I tried to settle into a sustainable pace, knowing the day would only get hotter. By Mile 21, I had already emptied all five bottles. From that point forward, I had no water for the final 26+ miles. I had mentally prepared for this possibility, but the reality was still tough. I managed hydration by slowing slightly, managing sodium and effort carefully, and monitoring my heart rate and energy output. Despite the circumstances, I never considered stopping.
The terrain from Mile 21 onward offers some welcome shade and occasional descents, but the humidity was unrelenting. The final stretch from Gill Hall to Clairton was a true mental test — long, exposed, and quiet. I hit the Clairton trailhead and stopped my watch at 8:28