Join us Memorial Day Weekend for the 29th running of the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon to benefit Berks Co. Special Olympics. The Charlie Horse is not your typical race—it is mostly trail, a little road, and all adventure. It has everything veteran runners need to challenge themselves, including plenty of rocks, roots, and single track. The half marathon distance is also perfect for those interested in trail racing but maybe not quite up for the ultra-distances.
If a half marathon isn’t quite your speed, we’re happy to offer the Dirty Pony 5k, where the focus really is on fun and adventure but still benefiting a worthy cause. It’s a great option for those new to running (or trail running), runners who really want to get down and dirty, or just a fun way to fill time while a loved one runs the Charlie Horse. Regardless of your reasons, we hope to see you there!
Course Details
The majority of the Charlie Horse Half-Marathon takes place on the Horse-Shoe Trail in Brecknock Twp, PA. The race starts in front of Sleepy Hollow Athletic Club on Westley Rd. For the first ½ mile, the race is on the road, which helps spread out the field before jumping on to the Horse-Shoe Trail and heading west. The HST is mostly single track in this section. Approximately 4.5 miles in, the course transitions to a country road section for about 1.2 miles where runners do a bit of a lollipop to the Brecknock Twp Municipal Office building, then back onto a bit of fields/trail that leads back to the Horse-Shoe Trail. From there, runners will be directed to head east on the Horse-Shoe trail back toward Sleepy Hollow. At Sleepy Hollow runners will continue east on the Horse-Shoe trail and enter the Plowville section of the trail for the last 5k of fun that eventually loops runners back to Sleepy Hollow for the finish. (For those running the Dirty Pony 5k, the course starts at Sleepy Hollow Athletic Club and heads east through the Plowville section and loops back to Sleepy Hollow for the finish, essentially running the last 5k of the Charlie Horse.) What’s the Plowville section? It’s a mystery to us too: lagoons; waterfalls; campers; hikers; teenagers, maybe some chores. The only certainty is rocks, mud, fun, and a course finish like you’ve never seen before.
If that description creates more confusion than clarity, don’t worry! The course is well marked with neon ribbons and strategically placed volunteers help guide runners in some of the trickier areas of the course. There are 3 aid stations on the Charlie Horse course, (approximately 3.5 miles, 6.5miles, 10miles).
Race Day
Packet Pickup and Day-Of Registration: 7:30AM Sunday morning.
Charlie Horse Half Marathon: 9:00AM on the road in front of Sleepy Hollow Athletic Club.
Dirty Pony 5k: 9:15AM near the registration tables.
Post race party: approximately 11AM (Pizza, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and adult beverages for all race participants. Just present your bib to servers. Feel free to relax, wash off, cheer on your fellow runners, have a bite to eat and a cold drink.)
Awards: approximately 12PM
Restrictions & Other Details
• There is a CUT-OFF at Aid Station #3 (10 miles) of 3 hours. After which, the sweepers and aid station crew will have the final determination of who continues.
• Runners under 16 years old should contact the race director for approval prior to registering.
• Entries are limited to 300 for the Half Marathon.
• NO outside alcohol or dogs may be brought onto the premises.
• Availability of shirts for the half marathon cannot be guaranteed for registrations after May 1st, 2026.
• Last day of online preregistration is 5/21/2026. Day of registration will be available for both races. Charlie Horse $65 with a shirt (limited availability), $55 without a shirt. Dirty Pony $25, without a shirt.
Half Marathon Swag & Awards
The entry fee includes a T-SHIRT (Male and Female sizes), FINISHER AGE GROUP AWARDS and FINISHER SWAG. All participants are welcome to stay for post event free food and beverages.
5 Year Age Groups:
Overall Male 1st, 2nd, & 3rd; Overall Female 1st, 2nd, & 3rd; Overall Master (40+) 1st Male & 1st Female
Under 18 (1M, 1F); 18-24 (3M, 3F); 25-29 (3M, 3F); 30-34 (3M, 3F); 35-39 (3M, 3F); 40-44 (3M, 3F);
45-49 (3M, 3F); 50-54 (3M, 3F); 55-59 (3M, 3F); 60-64 (3M, 3F); 65-69 (1M, 1F); 70+ (1M, 1F)
Dirty Pony 5k Swag & Awards
All participants receive finisher swag and finisher awards.
Triple Trail Challenge 50.3 & Starter Pack
The Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon is the first race of the Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. This is a trail race series which starts with the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon (not the Dirty Pony 5K). The second Pagoda Pacers trail race in the series is the Run for the Ages Trail Chase 10K in June https://www.pagodapacers.com/Races-Results/Races/Run-for-the-Ages-10k-Trail-Chase.aspx . The final race in the series is the Blue Marsh Trail Ultramarathon 50K in October. https://pagodapacers.com/Races-Results/Races/Blues-Cruise.aspx Any runner completing all three races will receive a sweet bit of runner swag at the finish line at the Blue Marsh 50K. No special registration effort is required. Register for all three races at once at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=134404. Not feeling ready to commit to all three races? You can still register for the three races individually and complete the Challenge. Run for the Ages 10K Trail Chase registration https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123818 and Blues Cruise 50K Trail Ultramarathon registration https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=123697
And for the second year we have a race series designed for runners new to trails. The Triple Trail Starter Pack series starts with the Dirty Pony 5K. The second Pagoda Pacers trail race in the series is the Run for the Ages Trail Chase 10K in June https://pagodapacers.com/Races-Results/Races/Run-for-the-Ages-10k-Trail-Chase.aspx . The final race in the series is running one leg of the Blue Marsh Trail Relay in October. https://pagodapacers.com/Races-Results/Races/Blues-Cruise.aspx Please note that runners doing a relay leg must be part of a registered team running the relay race. Register for all three races at once at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=134404. Not feeling ready to commit to all three races? You can still register for the three races individually and complete the Challenge. Run for the Ages 10K Trail Chase registration https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133064 and Blues Cruise Relay registration https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=134393
Event's current local time: 6:05 PM ET
