The 2024 New England ultrarunning season will open in traditional fashion with the return of the G.A.C. Fat Ass 50K. Gil’s Athletic Club will play host to the event for the 24th time on Saturday, Jan. 6, at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield.

The course will be the same as last year, consisting of a rolling loop on singletrack and doubletrack trails and about a mile of pavement. The start/finish will again be near the ranger station at the western end of the park near the Asbury Street entrance. Participants may once again complete however many laps they want to, up to five for a 50K finish. The one change for 2024 is that the race will begin one hour earlier at 8 a.m.

Participation in the event is free, but runners are encouraged to bring new clothing items to donate to local charities, as well as a food or drink item to contribute to the aid station.

For more information, visit gaconline.net.