TARC Winter Classic

Join us for the 2026 Trail Animals Running Club Winter Classic at Middlesex Fells Reservation, with 8 mile, 32 mile, and 40 mile distance options! You can read all the exciting details below!

Please note: This race sells out, and there are no refunds, no transfers, and no deferrals

Saturday, December 5, in Stoneham, Massachusetts

Volunteer Opportunities

Start/Finish Location: Fallon Road, Stoneham, Massachusetts, 02180 (please see parking section for address)

Coming Southbound on Rt 93, get off Exit 35, the start is in the parking lot across from the end of the ramp. There is NO NORTHBOUND EXIT OFF I-93.

Schedule:

Saturday, December 5, 2026 | Race Day

05:45 a.m. | 32M & 40M Bib Pick Up Opens

06:50 a.m. | 32M & 40M Prerace Briefing

07:00 a.m. | 32M & 40M Race Start (& Yeti Howl!)

08:00 a.m. | 8M Bib Pick Up Opens

09:20 a.m. | 8M Prerace Briefing

09:30 a.m. | 8M Race Start (& Yeti Howl!)

01:30 p.m. | Headlamp Required for Participants Starting Last Loop

02:00 p.m. | Last Loop Cutoff at the Start/Finish Area

04:15 p.m. | Course Closes for All Participants

Course Description: The DCR Middlesex Fells Reservation Skyline Trail provides participants with an epic outing of roots, rocks, and elevation. In addition to constant climbs and descents throughout the course, runners can expect a classic New England path through the woods with East Coast technicality and scenic views of the Boston skyline (if you dare to look up from the rocks under your feet)!

Course Marking: The Skyline Trail is marked with white blazes throughout and their are no additional markings used on race day. Participants should be sure to review both the course maps and the course description beforehand to understand the general layout of the various distances. We recommend participants also download the GPX file and load it onto their GPS watches if they have one for additional reassurance. If you go off course on race day, you must backtrack, as opposed to making up your own version of the course. Review of GPS files will be done if it is believed the course was not followed by any given participant. Participants found to have not done the course as marked may be unable to get an official finish time. Please let the volunteers know at the aid stations if there are any navigation issues and we will work with you and others to sort them out.

Course Map:

The course map is available here .

The course consists of loops of the 8 mile white blazed 'Skyline Trail' at the Middlesex Fells.

The course follows the existing white blazes of the trail, and minimal additional course marking is provided.

Cutoff Times: Participants in the 32 miler and 40 miler must start their final 8 mile loop by 2:00 p.m. We will do everything we can to help you finish within the allotted time. The cutoffs are in place for both runner safety as well as the time commitment of volunteers and DCR park staff. No race day changes of distance or drop downs. For your finishing time you must complete the distance you signed up for.

Mandatory Gear: Because this is a challenging course and we need to get runners off the course before dark, we have some cutoff times that we need to impose. If you are starting your last loop within 30 minutes of the cutoff for your distance you must bring a headlamp. We do not want runners potentially out in the dark without light.

Aid Stations: We will have one aid station at the start/finish of the 8 mile loop and one aid station approximately halfway through the loop (3.5 miles counter clockwise or 4.5 miles clockwise). Please note this is a cupless race and you will need to bring your own hydration system (bottle/cup/vest/etc.). Run with fluids if you think you will need more than one hydration stops in 8 miles. Please do not throw non compostable items in the compost bins. Portable restrooms will be at both aid stations and have menstrual products inside.

Parking & Travel: All runners should park at 4 N Border Road, Stoneham, Massachusetts, 02180, Hall Memorial Pool & Splash Pad. This is a 0.5 mile walk from the start/finish area. Please carpool! It’s good for the planet and it’s good for the race. Overflow parking will be on Fallon Road and you will be directed to park there by a volunteer. Please do not block any business entrances if you need to park on Fallon Road.

Participants can post in the Trail Animals Running Club Facebook Group or on the Facebook event page coordinating carpools. Friends and family coming as spectators are encouraged to travel with the participants they are supporting.

Course Records:

8M Male Record: 54:30 | 2025 | Patrick Caron (28)

8M Female Record: 01:17:00 | 2024 | Kimberly Slade (29)

8M Nonbinary Record: 01:47:02 | 2023 | Hannah Young Andry (29)

32M Male Record: 04:09:53 | 2018 | Patrick Caron (21)

32M Female Record: 05:36:00 | 2024 | Evelyn Needham (27)

32M Nonbinary Record: To be determined

40M Male Record: 05:29:48 | 2018 | David Sinclair (26)

40M Female Record: 07:11:54 | 2018 | Kassandra Marin (29)

40M Nonbinary Record: To be determined