NipMuck Trail Marathon

NipMuck Trail Marathon takes place in Warrenville, Connecticut, on October 4, 2026, with an 8:00 a.m. start. The event, put on by the Shenipsit Striders running club, offers a trail marathon (26.2 miles) that you can run solo or as a relay team, both covering the full marathon distance on the Nipmuck Trail.

A trail marathon in New England in early fall is a different challenge from a road marathon: expect roots, rocks and rolling terrain rather than flat pavement, so time goals should be set loosely. The solo format fits runners who have already finished a road marathon and want to step onto singletrack, or trail runners looking for a long, committed effort before the winter. The relay is a good option if you want to share the distance with a friend or club mate. Train for it with a 16-week plan built around long runs on similar trails, strength work for your ankles and hips, and a few sessions practicing how you will fuel over four to six hours on your feet.