7th Annual Spring for the Trails Half Marathon

We are very pleased to announce that our 7^th Annual Spring for the Trails will be held this year from Saturday May 8th - Saturday May 15th!

The 13.1 mile (two lap 6.5 mile) marked course through Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich will be open for eight days. ECTA gaiters guaranteed for all runners registered by May 8th. Prizes for top Men's and Women's, overall and in each division. ECTA gaiters and prizes will be mailed on May 19th.

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

Non-members $35. ECTA Members $25.
Registration closes Saturday May 15th.

All 2021 events will offer a $10 discount for ECTA Members.
Become a Member before registration!

Due to difficulty in maintaining trail markers in Willowdale over 8 days, we are making the course available digitally as well. Familiarize yourself with the course before you head out! Please review the course map and description found on this page ahead of racing. We strongly suggest bringing a printed map with you and/or your phone with digital course map. Options below.

Course:

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 recorded track on Strava: CLICK HERE
The link to the Avenza Map: CLICK HERE
1/2 Marathon Course Description - with photos! - pdf  CLICK HERE

Other important info:

• Registration: last day of registration is Saturday May 15th.
• Time submission deadline: deadline for submitting your time is 11:59 PM Sunday May 16th. 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 May 17th.
• ECTA gaiters & prizes: will be mailed out on Wednesday May 19th.

A few more details before you head out:

• Parking: Please park at the Willowdale parking lot on Linebrook Road (across from Marini Farms at 259 Linebrook Road in Ipswich, MA).
• 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!

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!

Support the people who support us!  Click on the logos to check out the websites of our sponsors!  We couldn't do it without them!