Think Big Trail Challenge

Think Big Trail Challenge is held in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on October 4, 2026. The event offers two trail formats, a 10K and a 5K, run on the same day.

Short trail races like this one are ideal if you are curious about running off-road but not ready to commit to a half marathon or longer. The 5K is a family-friendly distance that a regular jogger can complete without a specific training plan, while the 10K is a good target for someone who runs three times a week and wants to test their legs on hills and uneven footing. Both distances also work as a sharp tune-up race if you are training for a longer fall event. In the weeks before, add one trail run per week to get used to changing surfaces, include a handful of short hill sprints, and practice running downhill with quick, light steps. Trail shoes with decent grip are worth having, since October in Pennsylvania can leave the ground wet and covered with leaves.