It’s back! Trail runners around the Valley are invited to come out for the second annual Mount Tom Trail Race, managed by Beast Coast Trail Running (Amy Rusiecki, Leah Jacobson-Hardy and Kristin Loiko), an experienced team who has coordinated dozens of hugely popular races in New England, including the Vermont 100 Endurance Race and the Seven Sisters Trail Race on the Mount Holyoke Range.

On Saturday, October 22, the Mt. Tom Trail Race will offer an exciting and challenging way to help conserve the land you love. The Mount Tom Range is an iconic part of the landscape in the Valley. Multiple peaks, rocky cliffs, scenic vistas, and miles of trails provide opportunities for everything from rugged hikes to hawk watching to family picnics—to trail running! The area’s unique geology also provides critical habitat for wildlife and rare plant communities.

Proceeds from the race will support Kestrel Land Trust’s Mount Tom Fund, established with a bequest from “Trail Lady” Kay Burnett, dedicated to enhancing public access on the Mount Tom Range, including the new Mt. Tom North Trailhead Park in Easthampton and supporting the City’s conservation of woodlands on Reservation Road. It also supports our work to conserve and restore nearby Anniversary Hill Park in Holyoke, which shares the same geological features underlying Mt. Tom.

The Mt. Tom Trail Race follows a rugged race route along trails throughout the Mount Tom State Reservation, straddling Easthampton and Holyoke. This year, the main 25K route will be slightly longer than the original course, and there will be a Ultra 50K option for those hard-core runners! All routes start and finish at Millside Park in Easthampton, next to New City Brewery, which will provide post-event refreshments, food, and festivities, including a free pint of local beer in a commemorative pint glass.

Prizes for the top runners will include gift certificates to Marathon Sports, and more.  Solo and relay runners may register. The  long course (50k) has an 8-hour time limit, and the short course has a 6-hour time limit to be completed. COVID precautions will be in place for this outdoor event.

Volunteers are still needed the day of the event! If you’d like to help out as a course marshal or aid station volunteer, email Kristin KristinLoiko@gmail.com.