Sat, Sep 12, 2026

2026 Hellbender Hustle (and Dragonfly Dash)

New Tripoli, PA

Registration openAnnual since at least 2023

5 Miles100 Yards

Entry is $30 now and rises to $35 after Sep 4, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the 2026 Hellbender Hustle (and Dragonfly Dash)

The course loops Leaser Lake through meadow, woodland, and streamside terrain, with elevation changes throughout. You pass through habitat the race is designed to celebrate, so the surroundings feel intentional rather than incidental. A water station sits at the halfway point near the lake's south boat ramp. The whole morning has a conservation-education bent, with crafts and lawn games alongside the running.

The event opens with a short sprint for kids before the main run begins. Educational activities run through the morning, so there is reason to linger after you finish. Drinks and snacks are available at the finish. Rain or shine is the standing policy, so dress for whatever the morning brings.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5 Miles · 2025 results

30finishers

30:17winner

48:56median

1:08:59cutoff

Top 3: José Periañez Ramirez (30:17) · Bob Maxwell (30:20) · Andrew Brown (30:58)

The 2026 Hellbender Hustle (and Dragonfly Dash) has been held every year since at least 2023. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5 Miles9/12/2026 09:15$30

100 Yards9/12/2026 09:00Free

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the 2026 Hellbender Hustle (and Dragonfly Dash)

Will I finish last at the 2026 Hellbender Hustle (and Dragonfly Dash)?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5 Miles field finished slower than 48:56, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:08:59, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the 2026 Hellbender Hustle (and Dragonfly Dash) a good first 5 Miles?

It is a small race (30 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the 2026 Hellbender Hustle (and Dragonfly Dash)?

The 5 Miles winner ran 30:17 while the median finisher took 48:56. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.