38 Middle Street, Whitneyville ME
Sunday, September 27th, 2026
Join Downeast Coastal Conservancy and Bold Coast Runners and wind through the woods and along the river in this trail running event through the Machias River Preserve to celebrate conservation in our community and help raise awareness for the protection of Downeast Maine's wild places. The Bad Little Trail Run is named from the Passamaquoddy word "Machias" meaning Bad Little Falls in reference to the falls on the Machias river.
Both races start and end in Whitneyville, followed by post-race awards and our traditional potluck food and drinks. Your race entry fees includes:
Both races start and finish on the multi-use Downeast Sunrise Trail adjacent to the access parking lot in Whitneyville. After about 1/4 mile on the wide and level gravel trail you cross the Machias River on the old railroad bridge where the two courses split. Please read accordingly below.
2.5 mile runners and walkers: follow the Sunrise Trail for about 3/4 mile to the Homestead trail. Make a Left onto the Homestead trail climbing up to the old Homestead site. The trail is a narrow, twisting, undulating and sometimes muddy and slippery, but well maintained, mile of single track. A left onto the trail and the bridge gives you a 1/4 mile sprint back to the finish.
8 mile runners: After about 1/4 mile on the wide and level gravel trail you cross the Machias River on the old railroad bridge and make a sharp left turn into the woods on the Homestead Trail - a narrow twisting, undulating and sometimes muddy and slippery, but well maintained, mile of single track. After climbing to near the site of the old homestead the trail drops quickly back to the Sunrise trail.
Registration opens at 7:00am on Monday 1 July and closes at 5pm Saturday 27 September.
$25 for the 8 mile run
$20 for the 2.5 mile run/walk
Day of Registration (cash or check) - $30 for the 8 mile run
$25 for the 2.5 mile run/walk
Limited Day of Registration Numbers are capped (we recommend you sign-up as soon as possible). If you are unable to run, please let us know as soon as possible so we can open your spot to someone else.
We will be complying with all guidance regarding COVID-19 as issued by the Federal and State governments, the RRCA, ATRA, and ACORD, at the time of the event. In case of change in the official COVID-19 guidance we may make adjustments at short notice but these will be communicated to you in advance.
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