Winter Thaw Out Race

Event

The Winter Thaw Out Race Series is a set of four 5k trail runs held from Sunday, February 22 to Sunday, March 15, 2026. The individual race dates are February 22, March 1, March 8, and March 15. Entry for each race is listed at $25. Registering for all four races at once applies a $20 discount to the total. The March 15 race entry fee increases after March 7, 2026. Races are produced by Even Kiel Racing.

Format and location

All races take place on the Elephant Swamp Trail at Elk Township Recreational Park near Monroeville, New Jersey (listed address 667 Whig Ln, Monroeville, NJ 08343); Aura Elementary School is across the street and may be used for navigation. The trail surface is hard packed and gravel, described as free of roots and not technical. Series scoring uses a point system (example: 10 points for first, 9 for second, and so on) with results for overall places and age-group places. Awards are presented at the end of the series rather than after each race; everyone who participates in the series receives a medal, and overall and age-group winners receive awards. Participants who sign up for the full series will receive a custom neck carf if registered by February 11. Hot chocolate is provided at every race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.