Summer Trail Series

  • Date Thu 2nd July 2026 - Thu 27th August 2026
  • Time 6:15PM CDT
  • Location Ballwin, Missouri
  • Price $32.80 - $133.50
  • Races 6 races
  • Distances 5 Mile, 5km

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Event summary

Get ready for an exhilarating summer adventure at the Summer Trail Series, returning to the stunning Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, St. Louis! Kicking off on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and running through August 27, 2026, this exciting five-race series promises to elevate your Thursday nights with unforgettable runs amidst scenic trails. Participants will have the chance to race various distances, starting with an 8K on July 2, followed by a 7K on July 16, a 6K on July 30, a 5K on August 13, and culminating with a 4K on August 27.

Designed for both competitive runners and casual enthusiasts, the Summer Trail Series features a unique format that allows you to drop your lowest race score, making it easier to participate even with busy summer schedules. Each race kicks off at 6:15 PM, and after hitting the trails, join in the fun with post-race festivities, including delicious hotdogs and refreshing drinks, perfect for winding down with friends and fellow trail runners. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and connect with the vibrant running community. Make sure to secure your spot, as space

Organiser's Description

THE SUMMER TRAIL SERIES RETURNS TO CASTLEWOOD!

St. Louis trail runners have long known that the best way to spend a summer Thursday night is tearing up the singletrack, conquering the bluffs, and catching a sunset over the Meramec River. The St. Louis Track Club is excited to host its Summer Trail Series at Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, MO. To maximize our summer daylight and keep everyone safe on the trails, runners will tackle the longest distances in the peak of July's summer sun and race the shorter courses as the evenings get shorter in August.

THE FROSTBITE FORMAT FOR THE SUMMER!

We are bringing the exact same trusted structure from our flagship winter event, the Frostbite Series, to the trails: five races, held every other week. Just like Frostbite, points will accumulate over the course of the five-race series toward overall awards. We also know that summer is a busy time for family vacations and busy schedules, so we are keeping the classic Frostbite rule: your lowest-performing race score will be dropped from the final standings. You can skip a race or erase a tough night on the trails and still stay in the running for an award!

THE 2026 LINEUP & DISTANCES

All races kick off at 6:15 PM at Castlewood State Park (Race HQ in the Special Events area past the train trestle).

* Race 1: July 2, 2026 8K

* Race 2: July 16, 2026 7K

* Race 3: July 30, 2026 6K

* Race 4: August 13, 2026 5K

* Race 5: August 27, 2026 4K

* Rain/Weather Date: Sept. 3, 2026 in case we need to reschedule a race

Presented by the St. Louis Track Club, this is the ultimate mid-week escape. Whether you're hunting down a series win or just looking to enjoy a run in the woods and a cold drink with friends, your Thursday nights just got a major upgrade. Space will be strictly limited due to park trail capacities so go ahead and claim your spot in the dirt!

COME FOR THE RUN, STAY FOR THE PARTY!

After each run we'll be grilling up hotdogs and serving up ice-cold brews (vegetarian and NA options will be available too!) for the perfect post-run recovery party. Cheer on everyone while they finish and meet some new trail friends. We're keeping the grill going for all five races, so come hungry and leave happy!

Races

  • Summer Trail Series -- ALL RACES

    Incl. $8.50 Fee & T-Shirt

    Thu 2nd July 2026 (6:15PM CDT)

    $133.50

    Register for all five races! All series participants will receive a race shirt and commemorative event medal. Shirts can be picked up on any of the race days. Participants in single races can opt to purchase a shirt as an add-on during registration. Series awards will be earned by accruing points across a maximum of four races (i.e., your four best races). A runners races will be awarded points based on their gender group placement using the following scale: 1st 50 points; 2nd 45 points; 3rd 40 points; 4th 35 points; 5th 30 points; all finishers receive 5 points. Details on receiving awards will be sent to recipients following the conclusion of the series. Only series registrants are eligible for series awards. For the individual races in each series, the top five runners in each gender receive a prize.
  • Summer Trail Series Race #1 - 8K

    Incl. $2.80 Fee

    Thu 2nd July 2026 (6:15PM CDT)

    $32.80

  • Summer Trail Series Race #2 - 7K

    Incl. $2.80 Fee

    Thu 16th July 2026 (6:15PM CDT)

    $32.80

  • Summer Trail Series Race #3 - 6K

    Incl. $2.80 Fee

    Thu 30th July 2026 (6:15PM CDT)

    $32.80

  • Summer Trail Series Race #4 - 5K

    Incl. $2.80 Fee

    Thu 13th August 2026 (6:15PM CDT)

    $32.80

  • Summer Trail Series Race #5 - 4K

    Incl. $2.80 Fee

    Thu 27th August 2026 (6:15PM CDT)

    $32.80

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Location

1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, 63021, MO, United States

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