Bad Little Trail Run - 8mile Run and 2.5mile run/walk

Event Overview

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.

Race Details

Both races start and end in Whitneyville, followed by post-race awards and our traditional potluck food and drinks. Your race entry fees includes:

• Participation: in either the 8 mile run or 2.5 mile run/walk
• Finisher gift:
• Post-race celebrations: including a BBQ and Pot-luck
• FREE raffle: for a RunningWarehouse Gift Certificate valued at $100

Awards

• Categories: awards in the following age groups (Top 3 Men and Women, 1st 17 & under, 19-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)

Course Descriptions

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 Course: 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 Course: 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. Turn left off the 0.7 mile Homestead Trail onto the Sunrise Trail and a quick right onto the Heritage trail you're back on singletrack. Follow the singletrack trail to the Court St. parking lot. Following the flags through the parking lot you bear left and pass your self serve water station and onto the NEW Munson Pitch Trail. This single track trail twists and winds through mossy spruce fir thickets slowly descending to the Machias river. Follow the trail upstream (to the right) alongside the river - with one short hilly section inland to avoid some riverside cliffs! There are a few grassy sections with hidden roots and a few mud holes to enjoy if it's been wet. After 2.5 miles along the river you turn RIGHT onto the Sunrise trail, quickly turn left and after about 50ft of Sunrise Trail turn right on the Homestead trail. Following the Homestead trail in reverse takes you back to the sunrise trail and a quick right onto the Sunrise trail gives you a 1/4 mile sprint back to the Finish.

Both courses are marked with blue surveyors flags which you should keep on your right at all times. Where there are no turns you may see the odd flag for reassurance, but if you come to a cluster of flags it means "pay attention" - there is a turn or junction.

Course Maps

• 8 mile Course Map PDF
  • Strava map
• 2.5 mile Course Map
  • Strava map

Registration

Registration opens at 7:00am on Monday 17 August and closes at 5pm Saturday 26 September.

Entry Fees:

• $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

⚠ Washington County Youth can run for free! Please contact [email protected] for details

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.

2026 Race Day Timeline

• 8:30am - 9:15am - Registration, Check-in and Bib pick-up
• 9:30am - 8 Mile Race Start
• 9:45am - 2.5 Race and Walk Start
• 11:00am - Awards after the last finisher and Post-race BBQ and Pot-luck refreshments: let's celebrate everyone!

Covid-19 Guidelines

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.