TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival

TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival : Willowdale State Forest

The TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival is a multi-distance trail running event held at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Distances offered include looped trail options and shorter community events, and the weekend includes a free youth fun run and a Cider Donut Mile.

The event uses a primary 12.5 mile loop through mixed double track and single track with roots, rocks, and constant rolling terrain. Each 12.5 mile loop accumulates about 1,100 feet of elevation; fallen leaves in November may obscure footing. The larger distances use repeated 12.5 mile loops while the 10K follows a single loop that shares portions of the main course.

Distances:

• 10K
• Half marathon
• Marathon
• 50 mile
• 100K
• Cider Donut Mile
• Free youth fun run

Course marking includes reflective flagging and signs at major intersections; participants are advised to review course maps and may use GPX files for navigation. Aid provision on the 12.5 mile loop includes an aid station at the start/finish and another roughly halfway; the 10K has only the start/finish aid. This is a cupless event, so runners must supply their own hydration system. The festival maintains a Leave No Trace policy and directs donations and event proceeds to local land stewardship organizations, including Rising Hearts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Essex County Trail Association, and Greenbelt: Essex County's Land Trust. The race has a long history dating back to 2001 and includes volunteer opportunities and accessibility measures for adaptive athletes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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