TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival
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TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival
The Trail Animals Running Club Stone Cat Trail Festival takes place in November in Willowdale State Forest near Ipswich, Massachusetts. Distances offered include:
- 10K
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- 50 mile
- 100K
- Cider Donut Mile
- Free youth fun run
The start and finish are at a school on Linebrook Road in Ipswich. The main course is a 12.5 mile loop of mixed double track and single track with roots, rocks, and constant rolling terrain. Each 12.5 mile loop gains about 1,100 feet of elevation. Fallen leaves in November can obscure footing. The 100K uses five main loops, the 50 mile uses four main loops, the marathon uses two main loops plus two short loops near the field and school, and the half marathon uses one main loop plus a short loop near the field and school. The 10K is a single loop that shares the opening miles with the longer distances.
Aid is available at the start/finish and at a halfway aid station on the loop; the 10K has no on-course aid other than the start/finish. This is a cupless event so participants need their own hydration system. Aid station offerings are vegan friendly and include drinks, fruit, snacks, and savory items.
The 50 mile distance is the Road Runners Club of America State Championship for 2026 with awards across open, 40 plus, 50 plus, 60 plus, and open adaptive divisions. Event proceeds and donations support local land stewardship organizations, and the festival follows a Leave No Trace policy. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
