Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Series/Haystack Mountain Challenge

🏃‍♂️ Join the Race

Join us for our 12th Annual Trail Race Series.

💵 Race Fees

• Online Registration: Registration is via this online portal only, including on race day.
• 5K: $25 before Sept 29, thereafter $30
• 10K: $25 before Sept 29, thereafter $30
  • Group Registration: Groups of 4 registrations for 5K or 10K - $60 (Registrations must be made within the same transaction)
• Half Marathon: $35 before Sept 24, thereafter $40
  • Group Registration: Groups of 4 registrations for Half Marathon - $80 (Registrations must be made within the same transaction)

🍕 Perks for Runners

This year all runners will receive a free slice of pizza from Pete-za!! Norbrook Farm Brewery will also be on hand with ice-cold beverages for sale. Please remember that this is a cupless event and you should provide water. We will have some water stations set up along the route.

🏞️ Classic 5K

• Scenic Route: A challenging and scenic race through picturesque Barbour Woods. The course is a mixture of single and double track.
• Views: Climb up Beech Hill for a view of Haystack Mountain.
• Historic Track: Run on carriage roads beside historic Killarney Bridge.
• Trail Diversity: Ascend through woodlands and finally along a gladed wetland, known as the Swamp Trail to the finish.

Note: This course usually measures at about 3.3 miles.

• Extended Distance: Want to go a little longer? Try adding a challenging loop over Haystack Mountain.
• Course Features: This course begins on the same route as the 5K, but jumps off of the Sunset Trail onto the South Dam.
• Summit Experience: Ascends through a grassy meadow onto an intense single track to summit at Norfolk's iconic Haystack Mountain Tower.
• Course Return: Descend the mountainside on a carriage path to meet up with the single track winding along the mountainside bringing you back to the park's main entrance.

Note: This course usually measures at about 5.9 miles.

🏅 Haystack Mountain Challenge Half Marathon

• Elevation Gain: The Haystack Challenge is an exciting and grueling half marathon. With 2000+ feet of elevation gain this course is built around the 10K route.
• Scenic Trails: It includes special access to private paths only allowed during the event.
• Course Layout: The course includes a scenic ascent and a descent down a winding single track back to the start.
• Summit Requirement: Two trips up and down Haystack link you back into the 10K course to the finish.

No map is provided for the privacy of property owners.

Note: There is a cutoff (2hr 8min ~ 16min pace) at approximately 8 miles on the first ascent up Haystack.

🗓️ Race Day Schedule

• Check-in: from 8:30 am
• Half Marathon Start: 9:30 am
• 10K Start: 10:45 am
• 5K Start: 11:00 am

For more details, visit the race official page.