About 400 runners will attempt to tackle a 50-mile course tomorrow in the fifth annual Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon.

This year's race has 50 more runners than last year, partly because it was selected to be the site of the U.S. Track and Field Association's 2004 50 Mile Road National Championships, co-director Steve Bodner said.

"It adds prestige to our race, and it also brings in more elite runners," he said. "We've got some of the world's best long-distance runners coming in this weekend."

The ultramarathoners, who will each run the 50 miles individually, are set to begin at 7 a.m.

The relay teams who will split up the course will run in two groups. One group will begin at 8 a.m. and the other group is set to begin the relay at 9 a.m.

The course will cover various roads of Rothrock State Forest and will start at the Tussey Mountain Ski Area, next to the go-cart track.

Co-director Mike Casper said the course has a total elevation gain of 5,000 feet, but it also has some downhill and flat spots. The variety allows the relay teams to create a strategy based on each runner's strengths.

Participant and State College resident Julie Grubb, who will be running on an all-female relay team, said that while the hills make it difficult, the course is still "beautiful."

"Just to be out for the day with a group is great," she said. "I'm just going out to have fun, but I want our team to win, too."

This year's participants consist of 58 relay teams of two to eight people, and 40 ultramarathoners.

The runners will compete in two groups -- an open category for participants younger than 40 and a masters category for participants over 40.

Bodner said many Penn State students are involved with some aspect of the race.

"We have many students that help volunteer and student teams that compete," he said.

"We also have students that run in the ultramarathon," he added.

Those interested in catching the runners in action can view the race from several locations, including Whipple Dam, Penn Roosevelt State Park and Colyer Lake.

Bodner said that the best time to view the action at each location is between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. at the dam, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the park, and between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. at the lake.

Proceeds from this year's ultramarathon event will go to support the programs and services provided by the Centre Hall Area Branch Library.