Trail of Payne 10K

Trail of Payne 5k, 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run (2026)

The event is the 14th annual Trail of Payne held at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in Gainesville, Florida. It features three distances:

• 5k
• 10k
• 1 Mile Fun Run (not chip timed)

The 5k and 10k share a common start at the Wauberg Lake picnic area and dock before splitting onto separate trail loops. The 5k follows Jacksons Gap Trail to Cones Dike and then returns to the start/finish. The 10k uses many of the same trails in reverse and the course layout is new for this year.

Trails include a variety of surfaces and conditions such as packed dirt, roots, grass, soft sand and occasional mud. Trail sections vary from winding and narrow to straight and wide, and from sunny open stretches to shady dense areas. The course can be muddy depending on weather in the days before the event.

Pre-registered participants are guaranteed a T-shirt. The 1 Mile Fun Run does not include a T-shirt but a shirt can be added for an extra fee. The event offers age group awards for 1st through 3rd place male and female in ten year brackets and top trophies for overall and masters finishers.

Directions note: access is via U.S. 441 south of Gainesville to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park with race parking signage. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.