Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Series/Haystack Mountain Challenge
- Date Sun 5th October 2025
- Time 9:30AM EDT
- Location Norfolk, Connecticut
- Price $27.50 - $38.10
- Races 3 races
- Distances 5km, 10km, Half Marathon
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Event summary
Get ready for a fantastic day of outdoor adventure at the 12th Annual Norfolk Land Trust Trail Race Series and Haystack Mountain Challenge on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in the beautiful Northwest Hills of Norfolk! This exhilarating event features multiple race distances to suit every runner, including a scenic 5K, a challenging 10K, and an exciting Half Marathon.
Participants can enjoy the stunning landscapes as they traverse through Barbour Woods, climb Beech Hill, and experience breathtaking views from the iconic Haystack Mountain Tower. The 5K measures approximately 3.3 miles, while the 10K extends to about 5.9 miles, making them perfect for both beginners and seasoned athletes. For those seeking an extra challenge, the Half Marathon offers over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, promising a thrilling experience with exclusive access to private trails.
Don’t miss out on the fun! All runners will receive a complimentary slice of pizza from Pete-Za, and refreshing beverages from Norbrook Farm Brewery will be available for purchase. Join us for a day full of camaraderie, competition, and the great outdoors—register now and prepare for an unforgettable race day!
Participants can enjoy the stunning landscapes as they traverse through Barbour Woods, climb Beech Hill, and experience breathtaking views from the iconic Haystack Mountain Tower. The 5K measures approximately 3.3 miles, while the 10K extends to about 5.9 miles, making them perfect for both beginners and seasoned athletes. For those seeking an extra challenge, the Half Marathon offers over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, promising a thrilling experience with exclusive access to private trails.
Don’t miss out on the fun! All runners will receive a complimentary slice of pizza from Pete-Za, and refreshing beverages from Norbrook Farm Brewery will be available for purchase. Join us for a day full of camaraderie, competition, and the great outdoors—register now and prepare for an unforgettable race day!
Organiser's Description
Join us for our 12th Annual Trail Race Series.
RACE FEES
* 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
* 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
* Groups of 4 registrations for Half Marathon - $80 (Registrations must be made within the same transaction)
THIS YEAR ALL RUNNERS WILL RECEIVE A FREE SLICE OF PIZZA FROM PETE-ZA [https://www.petezamobilepizza.com/]!! NORBROOK FARM BREWERY [https://www.norbrookfarm.com/] 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
* A challenging and scenic race through picturesque Barbour Woods. The course is a mixture of single and double track. Climb up Beech Hill for a view of Haystack Mountain, run on carriage roads beside historic Killarney Bridge, descend the dry dam to a flat stretch of railroad bed, ascend through woodlands and finally along a gladed wetland, known as the Swamp Trail to the finish.
Note: This course usually measures at about 3.3mi.
HAYSTACK 10K
* Want to go a little longer? Try adding a challenging loop over Haystack Mountain. This course begins on the same route as the 5K, but jumps off of the Sunset Trail onto the South Dam, crosses Route 272N and ascends through a grassy meadow onto an intense single track to summit at Norfolk's iconic Haystack Mountain Tower. Descend the mountainside on a carriage path to meet up with a single track winding along the mountainside bringing you back to the park's main entrance where you will cross over the South Dam and finish up the 5k course.
Note: This course usually measures at about 5.9mi.
HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE HALF MARATHON
* The Haystack Challenge is an exciting and grueling half marathon. With 2000+ feet of elevation gain this course is built around the 10k route with the addition of some lesser-known trails adjacent to Barbour Woods and Haystack Mountain; including special access to private paths only allowed during the event.
* The course includes a scenic ascent and a descent down a winding single track back to the start. From there you follow the 10k course to Haystack and break off onto public and private trails. 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. If you get to the volunteer in over that time you will be asked to take a route to the finish that forgoes the two summits up the mountain or there will be the opportunity for a ride back to the start.
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
RACE FEES
* 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
* 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
* Groups of 4 registrations for Half Marathon - $80 (Registrations must be made within the same transaction)
THIS YEAR ALL RUNNERS WILL RECEIVE A FREE SLICE OF PIZZA FROM PETE-ZA [https://www.petezamobilepizza.com/]!! NORBROOK FARM BREWERY [https://www.norbrookfarm.com/] 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
* A challenging and scenic race through picturesque Barbour Woods. The course is a mixture of single and double track. Climb up Beech Hill for a view of Haystack Mountain, run on carriage roads beside historic Killarney Bridge, descend the dry dam to a flat stretch of railroad bed, ascend through woodlands and finally along a gladed wetland, known as the Swamp Trail to the finish.
Note: This course usually measures at about 3.3mi.
HAYSTACK 10K
* Want to go a little longer? Try adding a challenging loop over Haystack Mountain. This course begins on the same route as the 5K, but jumps off of the Sunset Trail onto the South Dam, crosses Route 272N and ascends through a grassy meadow onto an intense single track to summit at Norfolk's iconic Haystack Mountain Tower. Descend the mountainside on a carriage path to meet up with a single track winding along the mountainside bringing you back to the park's main entrance where you will cross over the South Dam and finish up the 5k course.
Note: This course usually measures at about 5.9mi.
HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE HALF MARATHON
* The Haystack Challenge is an exciting and grueling half marathon. With 2000+ feet of elevation gain this course is built around the 10k route with the addition of some lesser-known trails adjacent to Barbour Woods and Haystack Mountain; including special access to private paths only allowed during the event.
* The course includes a scenic ascent and a descent down a winding single track back to the start. From there you follow the 10k course to Haystack and break off onto public and private trails. 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. If you get to the volunteer in over that time you will be asked to take a route to the finish that forgoes the two summits up the mountain or there will be the opportunity for a ride back to the start.
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
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