Swamp Forest Trail Race

The Swamp Forest Trail Race takes place in Tallahassee, Florida, in early January, in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. It is organized by the Gulf Winds Track Club and run on rolling terrain, mostly single-track and multi-use trails. The course strings together several loops, including Swamp Forest, Coon Bottom, Oak Hammock, Creek Forest and Big Tree Cutoff, and passes through swamp, forest and open fields where runners may spot local wildlife.

Three distances start together at 8:00 a.m.: a quarter marathon of about 6.8 miles, a half marathon of about 13.6 miles and the 20-Mile Challenge, which measures roughly 20.4 miles. The field is capped at 150 runners and the course has a time limit. Packet pickup is available on race morning, and early registrants receive a race shirt. Roots and uneven footing are part of any North Florida trail, so shoes with decent grip are a sensible choice.