TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival

Event Overview

The TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival is a trail running event held in November at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, Massachusetts. It features several distance options. The event is part of the North Shore Trail Series. It also includes a Cider Donut Mile and a free youth fun run.

Distances

The event offers several distances, primarily using a 12.5-mile loop course.

• 10K: A single 6.2-mile loop, sharing parts of the longer course.
• Half Marathon: One 12.5-mile main loop plus one 1K loop at the start.
• Marathon: Two 12.5-mile main loops plus two 1K loops at the start.
• 50 Mile: Four 12.5-mile main loops.
• 100K: Five 12.5-mile main loops.
• Youth Fun Run: A free, approximately 0.5-mile run for youth.

Course Details

The course takes place in Willowdale State Forest and is a mix of double track and single track trails with roots and rocks. It features constant rolling terrain with about 1,100 feet of elevation per 12.5-mile loop. Fallen leaves in November may obscure the footing. The course will be marked with reflective flagging and signs. Participants must be prepared to follow the marked route. The event has a Leave No Trace policy.

Logistics & Rules

The start and finish is at the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School in Ipswich. Parking is limited, with carpooling highly recommended. Crew access is only allowed at the start/finish area, and personal pacers are not permitted for any distance. Cutoff times are enforced for the longer distances, and the entire course closes 14 hours after the start. The race is cupless; participants must bring their own hydration system.

Registration & Community

All distances cost $25, with a discounted rate for youth 19 years old or under. Online registration closes before race week and the event typically sells out. The event is Trail Sisters Approved and a Pride on Foot partner. It welcomes adaptive athletes. Profits are donated to land conservation and trust organizations, including Rising Hearts, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Essex County Trail Association, and Greenbelt: Essex County's Land Trust. Volunteers are needed for various roles. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.