TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival
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TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival : Ipswich, Massachusetts
The Trail Animals Running Club will hold the TARC Stone Cat Trail Festival in November 2026 at Willowdale State Forest, with the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School (216 Linebrook Road, Ipswich) serving as the start/finish area. Distances offered include:
- 10K
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- 50 mile
- 100K
- Cider Donut Mile
- Free youth fun run
The event has a no-refund, no-transfer policy and typically sells out. Standard entry cost for paid distances is $25; the youth fun run is free. Youth entries (19 and under) receive a $10 discount under the event’s youth program. The race supports local land stewardship organizations and collects nonperishable food donations for a food pantry.
Course, aid stations, rules, and logistics
The main loop is a 12.5 mile loop in Willowdale State Forest. The terrain is a mix of double track and single track with roots and rocks and about 1,100 feet of elevation per loop. Loop layouts:
- 100K: five main loops
- 50M: four main loops
- Marathon: two main loops plus two 1K laps around the field/school
- Half: one main loop plus one 1K lap
- 10K: one loop that shares the first four miles of the main loop
Aid stations: one at the start/finish and one about halfway on the 12.5 mile loop; the 10K has only the start/finish aid. This is a cupless event; participants must bring their own hydration. Aid stations offer vegan-friendly hydration, fruit, snacks, sandwiches, hot items, and various packaged snacks. Course is marked with reflective flagging and signs; GPX files are provided. Pacers are not allowed; crew access is limited to the start/finish area. Parking for some distances is at the school; other participants will park about 0.4 miles away. Cutoffs: 50M runners must reach 37.5 miles within 10 hours to continue the final loop, 100K runners must reach 50 miles within 11 hours, and the course closes 14 hours after the start. The event follows a Leave No Trace policy and includes accessibility provisions for adaptive athletes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
