Free to Run

The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service (BURCS) is excited to present 2026's Free to Run Trail Races!

This race supports Free to Run, Inc., an organization whose is to enable women and girls to safely and boldly engage in outdoor activity in conflict-affected regions. Through a combination of sports programs, life skills development, and community outreach, they help women to reclaim public spaces and work to change views about the roles that women can (and should!) play in a society. Their programs are designed to develop community leaders who can bring people together across cultural, ethnic and religious lines. They work to provide our participants with the tools to succeed because they can and will be a force for positive change.

The Basics

Date: September 12, 2026 - back to the fall this year!
Distances: 50k - 25k - 15k - 5 mile
Start Times: 50k: 8:00 AM. 25k and 15k: 9:00 AM. 5 miler; 9:30AM.
Location: Pittsfield State Forest, Pittsfield MA.

Course: This is BURCS' "hard" race! The course features long climbs, fast descents, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the county. We are stoked to share the wonderful Pittsfield State Forest with our running friends.

Race options for 2026 include a 50k ultramarathon, a 25k, a 15k, and new for 2026 - a 5 mile option. All distances are approximate; if I'm being honest.. you're probably going to get a little bit of a bonus.

The race course is designed as a double-loop/figure 8, combining for approximately 15.5 miles and 3000 feet of vertical gain. A few SLIGHT tweaks to the course for 2026, but we're keeping all the best bits. The "Big Loop" is ~10.5 miles, and consists of climbs to Pine Mountain, Tower Mountain, and Berry Hill. This loop features several breathtaking vistas, a fun section along the Taconic Crest Trail, and a fast, winding descent back to the start/finish line. The "Little Loop" is a little bit shorter than last year, now about 5.5 miles long. It still begins with an ascent up the gorgeous Lulu Brook trail, and then makes its way back down via a fast, windy descent to the start-finish line.

50k runners will complete both the "Big Loop" and the "Little Loop" two times. 25k runners will do each loop onces. 15k runners will do the "Big Loop" once; 5 mile runners will do the "Little Loop". They're all great!

Cutoffs: 50k must be completed within twelve hours (by 8:00 PM) for an official finish. One hard cutoff, the last "small loop" must be started by 6:00 PM (ten hours).

Aid Stations: THREE aid stations this year! With all of your favorite aid station staples, plus perhaps a few surprises! This is designed to be a challenging race and the expectation is that runners will carry water and some calories with them on the course.

Awards and Shirts: Each finisher will receive a finishers award. All runners who register prior to September 1st will receive a shirt; runners who register after that date will receive a shirt on a best-efforts basis.

Pricing: We're keeping pricing the same as in prior years. If you're looking to save a couple of dollars - or if you already own WAY too many race shirts as it is - use the "NOSHIRT" code at checkout and we'll take $20 off your total.

Camping: There are multiple campsites in Pittsfield State Forest complete with showers and bathrooms. Runners are responsible for booking their own campsites with Pittsfield State Forest

We reserve the right to convert this to a virtual event, should we be unable to secure race permits or if state or local officials prohibit our ability to hold this as an in-person event.

Because we donate profits to charities, we do not offer refunds or deferrals, with the exception of pregnancy deferrals. If you can not make it to the event, please consider your registration a donation.

What is BURCS?

The Berkshire Ultra Running Community for Service was founded in 2013 by three passionate long-distance runners from Western Massachusetts. The BURCS crew is composed of runners of all ages who seek to use their passion for sport and activism to spread awareness about important social, civic, and environmental issues. Please check out burcsrunners.org, as well as our Facebook group, for more information.

Event's current local time: 7:40 AM ET