6th Annual Spring for the Trails Half Marathon

RACE RESULTS: CLICK HERE

We are very pleased to advise that our 6^th Annual Spring (Fall!) for the Trails will be held this year from Saturday, October 17th - Sunday November 1st.

The two lap 6.5 mile course through Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich will be open from Saturday October 17th - Sunday November 1st, only the turns will be marked. Due to difficulty in maintaining trail markers in Willowdale over 16 days, we are making the course available digitally. We are providing several choices for navigating on the course. One is a GPX file that can be downloaded to the trail app of your choice. The links for Strava and Garmin GPX files can be downloaded to the Strava app or a Garmin device to navigate and record tracks. The RunGo link is to the RunGo app or a prompt to get the app. RunGo provides voice navigation and records tracks via smartphone. The link to Avenza Maps provides the course overlaid on our map and can be downloaded on a smartphone for more detailed navigation and recording tracks. The AvenzaMaps app has all of our town wide maps and is free for all users.

Paper version of the course on our map: CLICK HERE

The link to the GPX file: CLICK HERE

The link to a Garmin track: CLICK HERE

The link to a RunGo voice navigation app: CLICK HERE

The link to a recorded track on Strava: CLICK HERE

The link to the Avenza Map: CLICK HERE

1/2 Marathon Course Description - pdf  CLICK HERE

Other important info:

• Registration: last day of registration is Sunday October 25th.
• Parking: Please park at the Willowdale parking lot on Linebrook Road (across from Marini Farms at 259 Linebrook Road in Ipswich, MA).
  
• Deadline: for submitting your time is 11:59 PM Sunday November 1st. Late submissions will not be included in race results. Email your results to office@ectaonline.org. Include your GPS tracks or even a picture of yourself in running gear holding a stopwatch with your time if you can!
  
• Race results: will be emailed to participants and posted on our website on Monday November 2nd.
• T-shirts & prizes: will be mailed out on November 2nd.

A few more details before you head out:

• The start/finish will be marked. Look for a sign shortly after the brown gate (Linebrook Rd. entrance).
• Run course counterclockwise.
• Runners can start their second loop once the see the starting/finishing line, they don't need to run to it. 
• We will mark only the course turns. We will check the course on the weekends. If you run during the week, please let us know if any markers have been taken down.
• Beware some sections could be as much as a mile long before a turn arrow.
• Please review the course map and descriptions found on this page ahead of racing.
• We suggest bringing a map with you and/or your phone.
• The AvenzaMap app is free to download and has a map of the race course (search in map store for keyword ECTA ½ Marathon) or CLICK HERE  The map is free to download and even without a cell signal your smartphone GPS will show your location.
• Wear a mask when approaching other trail users.
• Please let us know about any difficulties. Have fun!

Divisions: Men's and Women's 39 and Under, 40-49, 50-59, 60+.

Registration Fee: $50. Registration closes Sunday October 25th.

Registration Form (if you'd rather mail it in): CLICK HERE

Liability Waiver (ONLY for those under 18): CLICK HERE

If you have any questions, please contact our office at office@ectaonline.org.  Thank you!