Deadfall Trail Races

Inaugural Event!

This will be the inaugural running of our event, and we’re dedicated to making it as seamless as possible! We’re going all out to ensure it feels every bit as professional, fun, and memorable as the other races you love.

Event Details

Set in the heart of Brighton Recreation Area, Deadfall winds through towering hardwood forests, twisting singletrack, glacial ridges, quiet lakes, and the kind of rugged Michigan terrain that reminds you why trail running is better than pavement. Every distance has been thoughtfully designed to showcase the park's best trails while keeping the experience flowing, challenging, and fun from start to finish.

Whether you're tackling the fast and approachable 10K, stepping up to the rolling 18K, or taking on the big kahuna 25K, you'll find yourself weaving through iconic trails including Murray Lake, Penosha, Torn Shirt, Kachin, and Bishop Lake. Expect winding singletrack, punchy climbs, flowing descents, root-covered corners, and enough elevation to make you earn every mile.

October is when Brighton Recreation Area is at its absolute best. Crisp morning air, vibrant fall colors, and a forest floor covered in fallen leaves create the perfect backdrop for one final big effort before winter arrives. It's trail running the way it was meant to be.

Like every Blackwood Trail Racing event, Deadfall is built by runners, for runners. You'll find well-stocked aid stations, clearly marked courses, quality swag you'll actually wear, unique finisher medals, and volunteers who are genuinely excited to see you succeed. We take the race seriously—but not ourselves. Expect a welcoming atmosphere, a few sarcastic pre-race announcements, and a day spent with people who simply love being in the woods.

Whether you're chasing a personal best, your first trail finish, or just looking for an excuse to disappear into the forest for a few hours, Deadfall is ready for you.

Come lose yourself in the woods.

We'll point you back toward the finish line.

Cutoffs
All three race distances—the 10K, 18K, and 25K—will have the same 5-hour cutoff. We designed Deadfall to be an approachable event for runners of all experience levels while still maintaining the flow and logistics of race day. A five-hour time limit allows participants plenty of opportunity to hike the climbs, enjoy the trails, and spend time at aid stations, while ensuring our volunteers and park staff aren't out there until sunset.

If you can maintain an minimum average pace of just over 19 minutes per mile for the 25K, you'll finish within the cutoff. We encourage runners to know their pace, plan accordingly, and remember that trail miles are earned—not given.

Merch
We are still working on finalizing our Merch for this event but all registrations will include a deadfall shirt. Runners who finish the race within cutoff will receive finisher medals.

Runner Guide
We are still working on our Runner Guide - if you have any questions pertaining to this event, please contact jay@blackwoodracing.com

Event's current local time: 10:07 PM ET