Dirty Dozen 50k: A 50K Loop Race Inside Queens’ Forest Park

Park, Queens, on the 2.5-mile Orange Trail. Runners complete 12 loops to reach roughly 50 kilometers. Despite being inside New York City limits, the repeated loop produces about 3,600 feet of cumulative climbing — a meaningful total for an urban trail race.

Race directors Marcin and Joanna Mrowka organize the event to showcase Forest Park, give New York City runners a nearby ultramarathon option, and provide a beginner-friendly ultra for first-timers. The setup favors local participation and low overhead rather than large production or sponsorship.

On August 29 the weather was pleasant — temperatures in the 70s with clear visibility — which made the park feel green and vivid despite stretches where runners could still see nearby highways.

Alex Kunce defended his title and won the men's race in 4:26:20. Oliver Dybus finished second in 4:27:04 and Alex Ter Weele was third in 4:53:45. On the women's side, Lisa McManus ran a controlled effort and set the women's course record at 4:49:10, finishing third overall. McManus beat the former women's mark by 14 minutes. Last year's female winner Jennifer Modie placed second among women in 5:18:18, and Su Ng finished third in 6:20:42.

The Dirty Dozen is a compact option for runners who want an ultra without travel to remote trail systems. The repeated-loop format simplifies logistics: predictable terrain, frequent passes by the aid station, and easy spectating. That format also changes race dynamics — pacing becomes a matter of lap management, and mental strategy shifts to handling repetition rather than long, continuous single-track navigation.

Local ultrarunners and first-time 50K entrants who want a manageable, low-key race inside the city will find the Dirty Dozen appealing. More experienced runners can use the event for a focused effort on climbing and pacing without complex logistics.

Forest Park's Orange Trail and the Mrowkas' small-scale organization produced an urban 50K that balances meaningful elevation with an intimate, community-oriented race experience. The event is modest in scale but competitive on performance, as shown by the course records and close top finishes.