TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival

TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival

The TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival takes place in Willowdale State Forest, starting and finishing at the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The event features a variety of distances held on a mix of single-track and double-track trails. The terrain consists of constant rolling hills with approximately 1,100 feet of elevation gain per 12.5-mile loop. Participants may encounter rocks, roots, and fallen leaves throughout the course.

The event offers the following distances:

• 100K (five 12.5-mile loops)
• 50 Mile (four 12.5-mile loops)
• Marathon (two 12.5-mile loops plus two 1K field loops)
• Half Marathon (one 12.5-mile loop plus one 1K field loop)
• 10K (one 10-kilometer loop)
• Cider Donut Mile
• Free Youth Fun Run

This is a cupless event, requiring participants to carry their own hydration systems. Aid stations are located at the start/finish area and at the halfway point of the 12.5-mile loop, providing various vegan-friendly snacks and hydration. The 10K course does not have intermediate aid stations. Strict cutoff times are enforced, with the entire course closing 14 hours after the start.

The festival is part of the North Shore Trail Series and operates under a Leave No Trace policy. Proceeds from the event are donated to local land conservation organizations. The event is recognized as a Trail Sisters Approved event and partners with Pride on Foot to promote an inclusive environment. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.