TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival

Event overview

The TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival is a trail running event held at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, Massachusetts on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Distances offered include:

• 10K
• Half marathon
• Marathon
• 50 mile
• 100K
• Cider Donut Mile
• Free youth fun run

The entry fee for all paid distances is $25. The event is organized by the Trail Animals Running Club as a nonprofit fundraiser; donations and entry fees are distributed evenly to four land stewardship organizations. Registration is online only and the event typically sells out. The race has a Leave No Trace policy and invites food and nonperishable drink donations for aid stations and a local food pantry.

Course and logistics

The start and finish are at the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School, 216 Linebrook Road, Ipswich. The primary loop is 12.5 miles of mixed double track and single track with roots and rocks and about 1,100 feet of elevation gain per loop. The 100K, 50M, marathon, and half marathon use that loop in multiple laps; the marathon and half include additional 1K loops on the school field. The 10K is a single loop that shares the first four miles with the main loop. Aid stations are at the start/finish and roughly halfway on the 12.5 mile loop; the 10K has aid only at start/finish. This is a cupless race, so participants must bring their own hydration. Parking for some distances is approximately 0.4 miles from the start. Volunteers support bib pickup, course direction, and aid stations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.