An international trail running series is bringing one of its events to Happy Valley in 2026.

The UTMB World Series is introducing Rothrock by UTMB as its second event on the eastern side of the U.S. Runners from across the globe will have the chance to compete in 25 km and 50 km distances.

A prestigious, international trail running event is coming to Happy Valley in May. And with it will come trail improvements, a bigger spotlight - and an opportunity to qualify for a championship race in the Alps.

UTMB World Series, which annually hosts more than 50 trail-running events around the world, announced Tuesday morning that its newest race would take place May 16-17, 2026, in Rothrock State Forest near Tussey Mountain. Rothrock is one of only eight spots in the U.S. to host a race next year; other picturesque destinations include those in Argentina, Thailand and New Zealand.

A new international trail running event will launch in Centre County this spring, expanding the long-running Rothrock Trail Challenge into a two-day race weekend under the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc World Series banner.

Organizers announced at a press conference on Tuesday at Tussey Mountain that Rothrock by UTMB will take place Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 in Rothrock State Forest, featuring a 50-kilometer race on Saturday and a 25-kilometer race on Sunday.