Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Series

Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Series / Haystack Mountain Challenge

The Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Series, titled Haystack Mountain Challenge, is scheduled for October 4, 2026 in Norfolk, Connecticut. This is the 12th annual edition and it offers multiple trail distances around Barbour Woods and Haystack Mountain. Registration is online only and fees vary by event and date, with group-of-four pricing for some races. Participants receive a free slice of pizza from Pete-za and Norbrook Farm Brewery will offer beverages for sale. The event is cupless; runners should provide their own water. Organizers will have some water stations along the routes. Leashed pets are not allowed on the course except for service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• 5K Trail Race - course usually about 3.3 miles
• 10K Trail Race - course usually about 5.9 miles
• Half Marathon - 13.1 miles with 2000+ feet elevation gain

Course details: The 5K combines single and double track, climbs Beech Hill, passes carriage roads by Killarney Bridge, a railroad bed, and the Swamp Trail to the finish. The 10K follows the 5K route then adds a loop over Haystack Mountain, crossing Route 272N and summiting at Haystack Mountain Tower. The half marathon builds on the 10K with additional public and private trails and includes two visits to the Haystack summit. A cutoff at approximately eight miles (about 2 hr 8 min or 16 min per mile pace) may require runners to skip the second summit or accept a ride back to the start. No course map is provided to protect private property. The 10K is part of the 2026 USATF-CT MUT Grand Prix series. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.