Race Date is May 19, 2024
Registration will open Friday, 2/23/2024. We are excited to launch another race season and to welcome in the warmer weather.
Event Overview
The Soapstone Mountain Trail Races are popular, long-standing races in North Central Connecticut. There are two races on event day: a 25k (approx. 15.5 miles) and the Jerry Stage 6k “Sampler”. This is in honor of the many years of love, sweat and tears that Jerry Stage put into these races. Both races run through the extremely beautiful and scenic area around Soapstone Mountain, Shenipsit Forest State Park.
Day-of Logistics
For the 25k race we ask that you finish the race in 5 hours. Walkers are welcome in the Sampler.
If you don’t feel well the day of the race, please stay home for the sake of other runners and the volunteers.
Parking
Reddington Rock Riding Club
93 Handel Road, Stafford Springs, CT
Day-of registration will start at 7:45AM. The 25k start is 9am, the 6k 9:15am.
Our aid station volunteers will be recording your bib numbers to make sure that we don’t lose anyone. If you are injured or can’t finish the race, please let a volunteer know so we won’t be looking for you in the woods after the race.
This year we will be cupless, so please be prepared to carry your own water container. There will be three aid stations about four miles. No aid is provided on the 6K course.
Course
Race course: AllTrails Maps
The first 4 miles of this route is the 6k course.
NOTE This is from the start/finish from the Gulf Rd Shenipsit State Forest lot - The race DOES NOT start/finish at Gulf Rd on Race Day. Race Day parking area is private property.
We highly recommend you get familiar with the course.
25k Course
The first 2.5 miles of the 25k and the 6k are the same. The course travels along a slightly downhill dirt road before veering right onto an ATV trail. Passing a pond onto a single track trail, turns left onto a dirt road and right back into single track. Soon coming out onto dirt road where you take a right to cross the paved road (Gulf Rd). After traversing the parking lot, the trail makes another sharp right where participants are challenged with the first difficult climb - a very steep 1/2 mile trail named "Killer Hill". Once at the top of the hill, runners travel by the Soapstone Mountain observation tower and then run down a steep descent. Following the downhill, the trail becomes a series of switchbacks and rollers through the woods - though it's challenging, the rollers aren't steep enough to dramatically alter one's overall pace. There are brook crossings and a muddy stream descent. There are lots of rocks and roots to twist ankles on. Watch your footing! There are also many crisscrossing trails, so keep your eyes on the white dots and flagging. Towards the latter half of the race, the course has one more significant climb up a single track, followed by a steep descent on a dirt trail continuing on dirt road and finishing on single track to end the race in a grassy field surrounded by family and friends. In areas where the trail overlaps, splits or is tricky there will be additional flagging.
Jerry Stage 6k "SAMPLER" Course
This race starts on the same dirt road as the 25k, turns right onto single track within a 1/2 mile and then meanders through thick forest before turning left on the same dirt road at the 25K and right back onto single track trail, then left onto more dirt road, a right hand turn into the woods and finishing on grassy field. The course is marked with flagging and signs.
Benefactors
Proceeds will go to trail stewardship organizations in Connecticut, such as the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, Joshua’s Trust, and Northern Connecticut Land Trust.
Shenipsit Striders
The Shenipsit Striders trail running club was started in 1975 by a small group of friends in northcentral Connecticut that wanted to get together for weekly runs in the woods. Today the club has grown to include members from all corners of Connecticut and the New England region, with all abilities represented from new runners to experienced ultramarathoners.
Our races serve to give back to the trail community by donating to Connecticut trail stewardship and land use programs. As a nonprofit club, our membership helps further support our goals to give back to the trail community - we would love to have you join us as a member. www.shenipsitstriders.org
Blue Blazed Trail Running Series
The 25k race is part of the BBTRS, for more info: blueblazedtrailrunningseries.org
Event's current local time: 3:30 PM ET
