TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival
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TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival
The Stone Cat Trail Festival is a November trail event at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The event offers multiple looped distances and a youth fun run, and it donates proceeds to land stewardship organizations.
Distances include:
- 10K
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- 50 mile
- 100K
- Cider Donut Mile
- Free youth fun run (about 0.5 miles)
The main course uses a 12.5 mile loop on mixed double track and single track with roots, rocks, and rolling terrain. Each 12.5 mile loop has about 1,100 feet of elevation. The 100K is five main loops, the 50 mile is four main loops, the marathon is two main loops plus two 1 kilometer laps at the school and field, and the half marathon is one main loop plus a 1 kilometer lap. The 10K is a single loop that shares the first four miles of the main loop, then follows a one mile detour before rejoining the finish. Fallen leaves may obscure footing.
Aid stations are located at the start/finish and about halfway on the loop; the 10K has only the start/finish aid. This is a cupless event so participants must bring their own hydration. Typical aid station items are vegan friendly and include electrolyte mix, water, fruit, snacks, and savory options.
The 50 mile distance is the RRCA State Championship for 2026 with awards by gender and age divisions including adaptive athlete recognition. The festival runs a waitlist when entries sell out and maintains a no refund policy except in emergencies. The event follows Leave No Trace principles and supports local organizations including Rising Hearts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Essex County Trail Association, and Greenbelt Essex County's Land Trust. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
