Written by Scott Johnson
The Leaves are changing, football is back, kids are back to school, so that means it is my favorite time of year…..Time to look at what races to run for 2026!!!!
As most everyone knows, I’m a trail runner at heart. Love my woods and dirt and nature. When I started running trails a few years ago, I got hooked and wanted to run everything. Unlike road races, were there are tons of websites dedicated to listing road races across the country, there really isn’t one for trail races. So, being the geek that I am, I created one. This is my Google Sheet. It is by no means all inclusive, but it has most of the larger Running Groups (TARC, Shenipsit Striders, CT Trail Mixers, Aravaipa Running) and a few others that I have come across over the last few years.
My favorites, and some recommendations for the first half of 2026:
GAC 50k Fat Ass – First Saturday in Jan in Topsfield MA. This isn’t a race. Just a long, or short, fun run. 6.2 mile loop, run as many loops as you want for 6 ish hours. Entrance fee is bringing clothing for donation.
Cholchester Half – February in Colchester CT. So, this is really a road race, but 11 of the miles are dirt road that meander through CT farmland and woods. Entry fee is like $20, super low key. There is a big gathering after the race at the school cafeteria with an insane amount of food and lots of soup. It is very hilly, close to 1,000 feet of gain, so a good fitness challenge mid winter training block.
Nipmuck North – March in Union CT. Right over the MA CT boarder off of I-84. This is one of my favorite trail races. Less than a 100 runners, in the prettiest area of CT.
Cape Cod Trail Race – Late April in E.Falmouth. One of my bucket list races.
Spring Fling – May in Southington CT. This is a 600min race on a 3 ish mile loop around a YMCA camp. Run as many loop as you want. Very beginner friendly trails, very runnable.
I would be happy to share the sheet with anyone. Also, if you know of a trail race that I don’t have listed, please let me know as I’m always on the lookout for new places to run.
Happy Trails.
Scott
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