Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Series
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Haystack Mountain Challenge
The Haystack Mountain Challenge is the Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Series event held on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 75 Lovers Lane in Norfolk, Connecticut. It offers three marked race options and uses trails in Barbour Woods and on Haystack Mountain. Registration is available only through the event's online portal, including on race day. Entry fees vary by distance and by date, and group registration discounts are offered for sets of four.
- 5K about 3.3 miles on single and double track
- 10K about 5.9 miles including a loop over Haystack Mountain
- Half marathon multi loop course with private trail access
The 5K follows mixed single and double track, climbs Beech Hill, passes carriage roads and a dry dam, and finishes along the Swamp Trail. The 10K adds a steep single track ascent to the Haystack Mountain Tower and returns via carriage paths. The half marathon builds on the 10K route with additional public and private trails, includes more than 2000 feet of elevation gain, and contains two trips up and down Haystack. No course map is provided to protect private property.
Event logistics note that the race is cupless and participants should provide their own water, though water stations will be available along the route. All runners receive a free slice of pizza and beverages are available for purchase. Pets are not allowed on the course except for service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is a cutoff at approximately eight miles on the first ascent up Haystack; runners who exceed that time may be directed to an alternative route or offered a ride back to the start. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
