Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon

COURSE INFORMATION

Experience trail running at its finest in the heart of the Withlacoochee State Forest. The Withlacoochee Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K takes place on the hiking and equestrian trails within the Two Mile Prairie Tract, just outside Lecanto, FL.

Runners will travel through scenic sandhills, oak forests, and wet prairies, with frequent opportunities to spot local wildlife along the course. This is a true Florida trail running experience—beautiful, rugged, and memorable. Please note: this is not a certified course, and it is 100% on unpaved trails. There will be sand, critters (ticks, biting flies, spiders, or snakes), and uneven terrain - but there will also be great aid stations, friendly volunteers, and the beauty of the forest!

Race Distances & Course Details

• Marathon: 2 × 13.1-mile loops
• Half Marathon: 1 × 13.1-mile loop
• 10K: Modified loop course
• Surface: All races are run on natural trail surfaces. Expect sand, roots, and varied terrain.

Bib Pickup & Registration

• Date: Sunday, April 18, 2027
• Registration: Opens 1 hour before your race start time.

Start Times

• Marathon: 7:00 AM
• Half Marathon: 8:00 AM
• 10K: 8:30 AM
• Course Cutoff: All courses remain open until 2:30 PM for all distances.

Aid Stations

There will be three fully stocked aid stations, approximately every 5 miles, offering: Water, Electrolyte sports drink, Soda, Pickle Juice, Chips, Fruit & PB&Js. Important: Due to the distance between aid stations, all participants must carry hydration, such as a handheld bottle, waist pack, or hydration vest or pack.

Post‑Race Celebration & Awards

• Finisher's Award: All finishers receive a finisher's award for their distance.
• Top Finishers: The top 3 male and female finishers in each distance receive a specially handcrafted award.
• Relaxation: After the race, grab a hot dog or burger, set up a camp chair, and relax while cheering on fellow runners as they finish.

Camping Information

Bear Head Hammock Recreational Area offers primitive camping in the equestrian campground.

• Water & Power: No water or power hookups available
• Self-Sufficiency: Plan to be fully self-sufficient
• Campground Access: The entire campground is reserved for race participants.

Camping Options

• Tent camping
• Car camping
• RV “boondock” camping: generators permitted

Campground access: Saturday, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Local Motels/Hotels

• The Gator Den Motel: 12189 S Williams St, Dunnellon, FL 34432 - 8 miles
• Quality Inn Conference Center at Citrus Hills: 350 E Norvell Bryant Hwy, Hernando, FL 34442 - 9 miles
• WoodSpring Suites Inverness: 123 S Seminole Ave, Inverness, FL 34452 - 12 miles
• Central Motel: 721 US Hwy 41 S, Inverness, FL 34450 - 14 miles
• Econo Lodge: 2575 N NW US-19, Crystal River, FL 34428 - 17 miles

For more details, visit the official race page: Withlacoochee River Run.