TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival
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Event overview
The TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Distances offered include:
- 10K
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- 50 mile
- 100K
- Cider Donut Mile
- Free youth fun run
The event typically sells out. There are no refunds, no transfers, and no deferrals except for emergencies. Entry fees for the paid distances are listed as $25; the youth fun run is free and youth entries (19 and under) receive a discount on paid distances.
Course and distances
The start/finish is at Paul F. Doyon Memorial School (216 Linebrook Road, Ipswich). The main course is a 12.5 mile loop of mixed double track and single track with roots, rocks, and rolling terrain. Each 12.5 mile loop has about 1,100 feet of elevation. Distance formats use the loop as follows: the 100K is five loops, the 50 mile is four loops, the marathon is two loops plus two 1K field/school laps, and the half marathon is one loop plus one 1K field/school lap. The 10K is a single loop that shares the first four miles with the main loop, then veers off for about one mile before rejoining.
Aid stations, markings, and youth run
The 12.5 mile loop has one aid station at the start/finish and one approximately halfway. The 10K only has aid at the start/finish. This is a cupless event; participants must carry their own hydration. Courses are marked with reflective flagging and signs at major intersections. The free youth fun run is about 0.5 miles around the fields, fully flagged, with volunteers along the course.
Logistics and community
Online registration closes before race week and there is no race day registration. Parking for 100K and 50 mile participants is at the school; marathon, half, 10K, and youth participants park at Mile Lane Fields about 0.4 miles from the start/finish. The event raises funds for local land stewardship groups and distributes donations evenly among four named organizations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
