Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival

Event overview

Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival is a daytime trail running event on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland, WA. The event is produced by Northwest Trail Runs with Seattle Running Club. Multiple race options are offered on the same loop, including:

• 5-mi
• 10-mi
• 15-mi
• 50-k Solo
• 50-k Relay (2-person and 6-person formats mentioned)

The organizers note this will be a daytime event for the first time in 30 years. The event supports the Bridle Trails Park Foundation with a fundraising goal of $1,500 for trail maintenance, protection, and programs.

Course, parking, and safety

All runners use the same 5.2-mile loop, mostly run clockwise around the park perimeter. The route will be marked with orange and white streamers and, after dark, yellow glow sticks. Some trail sections can be rough, rutted, or muddy in winter, and runners are expected to provide their own cup or container because the event is cupless. The course closes in the late afternoon, and it becomes dark quickly under the forest canopy after sunset.

A Discover Pass is required to park inside Bridle Trails State Park; single-day and annual passes are available. Parking inside the park is limited; overflow parking is available across 116th Ave NE near Lake East Christian Church. Dogs are not allowed on the course under USATF policy. Runners should yield to other trail users, especially horseback riders, by stepping to the side and communicating with the rider. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.