Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival
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Event Overview
The Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival takes place at Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland, Washington. Produced by Northwest Trail Runs and Seattle Running Club, this event features trail running through a forested environment during the daytime to minimize disruption to local urban wildlife.
Participants follow a 5.2-mile loop trail, primarily traveling in a clockwise direction around the perimeter of the park. The course consists of varied terrain that can be rough, rutted, or muddy, reflecting typical winter conditions. The route is marked with orange and white streamers to guide runners through the forest canopy.
Distance Options
The festival offers several distances for individual runners and teams:
- 5 miles
- 10 miles
- 15 miles
- 50k Solo
- 50k Pair (two-person team)
- 50k Relay (three to six-person team)
For the relay events, teams must complete six laps total, with every runner required to finish at least one lap.
Logistics and Safety
This is a cupless event, meaning runners are responsible for providing their own water containers. Due to the time of year, participants who may still be on the course near the late afternoon closure are encouraged to carry a headlamp.
A Discover Pass is required for parking within the state park. The trails remain open to the public during the event, and runners must follow specific etiquette when encountering other users. If horses are encountered, runners must stop, step to the lower side of the trail, and yield to the rider. Per USATF policies, dogs are not permitted to accompany runners on the course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
