Race for the Refuge

🌳 Race for the Refuge

The Highland City Striders welcome you to explore the trails at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, MA! The Race for the Refuge begins at the ARNWR Visitor’s Center and traverses the beautiful trails around the Refuge. The course will lead runners into this idyllic nature refuge, past ponds, through pine and oak forests, and alongside mysterious military bunkers.

🏞️ Course Description

• Trail Surface: Double track trails are hard-packed earth and gravel.
• Loop Details: Includes about 2.5 miles of pavement and 140 feet of elevation gain.
• Runner Levels: Suitable for beginner trail runners: advanced runners can strive for a new PR!
• Preview: Preview the 10-loop.

🏅 Events

• Event Lineup: Features a 1-mile walk, 10K (1 loop), and 30K (3 loops) races.
• Timed Events: Includes 3-hour and 6-hour timed events: runners may complete as many loops as desired.
• Finishing Requirements: Loops must be completed by 12pm (3-hour) and by 3pm (6-hour).
• Prizes: Top male, female, and nonbinary runners from each event will receive a prize.

📏 Race Day Rules

• No Pacers: Pacers are not allowed.
• No Dogs: Dogs are not permitted on Refuge lands.
• Family-Friendly: Children must be supervised at all times.
• Leave No Trace: This will be a cupless race: carry in and pack out any fuel.

🚰 Aid Stations and Course Marking

• Aid Stations: Two aid stations with typical trail race fare.
• Main Station: Located at the Start/Finish line.
• Second Station: Located about halfway through the loop at Taylor Road.
• Course Marking: Marked with stake flags, cones, and mile marker signs.

❗ Cancellation and Refunds

• No Deferrals: There are no deferrals and no refunds.
• Entry Fee: Entry fees are considered charitable donations.
• Support: Fees support nature education and trail improvements.

🦌 About the Refuge

Centuries ago, these lands were hunted and fished by Nipmuc Tribes. Later, they were farmed by colonists, intersected by a railroad, and used for military training. You will run past military bunkers that were in use when the area was known as the Sudbury Training Annex, which was part of Fort Devens. The US Army transferred the land to the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2000, establishing the Refuge.

Since then, the Refuge has become home to freshwater wetlands, oak and pine forest, and shrubland that support many types of wildlife, including wading birds, songbirds, raptors, beaver, bobcat, white-tailed deer, and various reptiles and amphibians.

Proceeds from this race will help fund improvements to three refuge sites in MA and a volunteer coordinator who will assist visitors to the refuge with nature education and programming.

🎉 Post-Race Festivities

Please join us after the race at Clover Road Brewing in Hudson, MA. Runners get a free beer! Enjoy snacks and music, too. More details to come.

👟 Presented by the Highland City Striders

We are runners in Hudson, Marlborough, and surrounding communities. Founded in 2002, our members meet several times weekly to run various distances for fun and to keep in shape! We run, recover, have fun, and laugh together. The Highland City Striders is a non-profit 501(C)3. All race profits will go to local charities.

We are also working closely with Friends of Woodlands and Waters, a non-profit working in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support our refuges. Check out their site to learn more and get involved!

📅 Race Date

The Race for the Refuge will be held on September 28, 2025. For more details, visit Race for the Refuge.