Tarc to Hale and Back

Event details

The TARC To Hale and Back is scheduled for March 21, 2026 at Hale Education in Westwood, Massachusetts. The event offers two distance options:

• 6 Hour
• 3.5 Mile

Online registration is used and the event has a waitlist when full; there is no race-day registration. The event maintains a no-refund, no-transfer, and no-deferral policy. Youth entries receive a discounted fee. Event proceeds are donated to land conservation and Hale Education.

Course and logistics

The looped course starts and finishes at Powissett Lodge and is a mix of singletrack and double-track "fire road" trails. The route is mostly wooded, follows the shore of a pond for sections, includes small beaches, roots and rocks, a few modest hills, small streams, two road crossings, boardwalks, and wood bridges. The course is marked with directional signs, arrows, and pink ribbons; participants who go off course are expected to backtrack to the last marker. The course may be rerouted for flooding, snow, or trail changes.

There is a single aid station at the start/finish offering water, an electrolyte drink, PB&J, and grilled options; additional food is often shared by 6 Hour participants. The event is cupless - participants should bring their own cup or bottle. Parking locations vary, parking can be tight, and some parking may require up to about a 0.75 mile walk to the start area. Adaptive athletes are welcome with course-appropriate equipment and any required approvals. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.