New in 2026 - Soapstone Mountain Half Marathon!
In 2026 we will debut an ALL NEW Soapstone Half Marathon trail race. There will be course records up for grabs, and every runner will have a guaranteed PR for the new course! You'll tag the tower twice - climb up and grab a selfie if you wish (#soapstonetower). We will also continue to have a shorter race option: the Jerry Stage 6k “Sampler”, in honor of the many years of love, sweat and tears that Jerry Stage put into the Soapstone races. Both races run through the beautiful and scenic Shenipsit Forest State Park around Soapstone Mountain.
This is a great race location for family and friends to hang out while waiting for their runners to finish, so feel free to bring chairs, kids, and picnics! Our post-race food and drinks will definitely hit the spot for even the hungriest of runners.
Soapstone Mountain Half Marathon Course
The Soapstone Mountain Half Marathon trail race course begins at Reddington Rock Riding Club (RRRC) and initially winds around through dirt road and single track before joining the blue-blazed Shenipsit Trail and crossing Gulf Road for an out-and-back to Hopkins Road. Runners will follow the blue-blazes up and over Soapstone Mountain past the fire tower, and hit the first aid station at the Parker Road crossing. The course continues on the blue-blazed Shenipsit Trail all the way to Hopkins Road where runners will find a second well stocked aid station. Runners will turn around here and retrace their steps, through Parker Road aid station, up and over Soapstone Mountain past the tower a second time, and across Gulf Road where they will take their final turn into the woods to reach the finish line back at RRRC. Aid stations will be well stocked with your favorite trail-running snacks, and easy to reach for spectators to cheer on their runners.
Jerry Stage 6K "Sampler" Course
The race begins at the RRRC like the Soapstone Half Marathon and follows a single track for about one-tenth of a mile before turning right onto dirt road (Sodom Road). After half a mile, the course winds through a thick forest along the White Blaze before turning left back onto Sodom Road. From there, the course turns right and follows the Shenipsit Blue-Blazed Trail for a mile, emerging once again onto a Sodom Road. Runners will be directed to take left on to the dirt road. At about less than half a mile to go, runners will take a right turn on to the woods to reach the finish line back at RRRC. Walkers / hikers are welcome in the 6K.
Blue Blazed Trail Running Series
The Soapstone Mountain Half Marathon is part of the 2026 Blue Blazed Trail Running Series in CT. The Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series is a series of races in Connecticut that are run entirely or in part on the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System, which are maintained by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA).
BBTRS, for more info: blueblazedtrailrunningseries.org
Day-of Logistics
Parking & Start/Finish
Reddington Rock Riding Club
93 Handel Road, Stafford Springs, CT
07:45 AM - Registration opens
09:00 AM - Soapstone Mountain Half Marathon start
10:00 AM - Jerry Stage 6k Sampler start
Aid station volunteers will be recording your bib numbers to make sure that we don’t lose anyone. If you can’t finish the race for any reason, please let a volunteer know so we won’t be looking for you in the woods after the race.
The race is cupless, so please be prepared to carry your own water container. There will be three aid stations for the Half Marathon. No aid is provided on the 6K course.
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
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.
Event's current local time: 6:59 PM ET
