Spring Fling 600 Trail Race

Come join the CT Trailmixers and Southington YMCA Camp Sloper for the sixth annual Spring Fling 600 trail race on Saturday, May 7 starting at 8:00 am ET. 

HOW IT WORKS

The idea is simple: Run as many loops as you’d like of a roughly three-mile trail course as long as you're done within 600 minutes (10 hours). You’re not required to run an ultra distance — at least 27 miles (or nine loops) — although many people will. Whether you want to try your first three-mile trail race, or go for 50 or more miles, this event is for you.

The CT Trailmixers welcome folks who are new to trail running! This is a great opportunity to give it a try. We make it fun, with a well-marked course that offers a great variety of terrain and scenery. And you’ll get plenty of cheers and high-fives throughout the day — along with what some past participants have said is the best aid station spread they’ve ever seen.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

We expect the event to be “normal” from a pandemic perspective, although we reserve the right to make changes should the environment or state / federal guidance change.

LOCATION

YMCA Camp Sloper

1000 East St, Southington, CT 06489

START TIMES / SCHEDULE

6:00 am: Bib pick-up begins

7:45 am: Pre-race briefing

8:00 am: Race begins.

6:00 pm: Race ends.

REGISTRATION FEES

Online pre-registration is just $30 for members and $50 for non-members. We may offer day-of registration if there are still openings available. Total registration will be capped at 250.

MEMBERSHIP

Interested in becoming a member of the CT Trailmixers? $20 a year gets you a $20 discount off the Spring Fling and many of our other races, and a discount on gear. To become a member, register at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/2022-ct-trailmixers-membership-registration?fbclid=IwAR2ezBVfUqf_lP4Q0L0GcK-CX--qv5B-MK3hE3wg4MvtVUyh3da6M9M6nTs. Membership is good for the calendar year up through Dec. 31, 2022.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is a roughly three-mile loop around the grounds of YMCA Camp Sloper. It's run mostly on single-track wooded trails, but includes some grass and dirt road sections with rolling hills throughout. Parts of the course are covered with rocks and roots, while other sections are smoother. You’ll experience a wide variety of terrain and scenery. The course will be marked with flags and ribbons.

We will hold at least one course preview run at Camp Sloper in the weeks leading up to the Spring Fling. Anyone can join us for this preview run; however, only members of the Southington / Cheshire YMCA can visit Camp Sloper at other times.

CHIP TIMING

The race will be timed, and your laps will be counted, using chip timing. You can check your lap counts on a large monitor that will be on display at the start/finish area. Only laps completed within the 600 minutes will count. If you finish your last lap and it’s past 6:00 pm, it won’t count.

The course will start and finish at the main pavilion at Camp Sloper. When you’re done with racing, please tell the volunteers so we know you’re leaving the course. You can take breaks during the day and rejoin the race whenever you like. 

PRIZES

All participants will get a CT Trailmixers-branded gift and a finisher’s medal upon completing their race.

Additionally, we’ll recognize the top male, female, and non-binary competitors who complete the most full loops in the shortest time within 10 hours (600 minutes). If more than one runner in a category completes the same longest distance, the winner will be the runner who finishes that distance first.

RACE PROCEEDS

Race proceeds will go to a variety of local organizations, including the Southington YMCA and the Connecticut Forest & Parks Association. They will also go to the CT Trailmixers Shoe Scholarship Program, which gives free shoes to kids in need who want to run cross-country or track in school.

WEATHER

Connecticut weather in early May can be cool and rainy or sunny and warm. The Spring Fling has historically been a wet and muddy affair, so come prepared. Pay attention to the forecast.

ABOUT THE CTTRAILMIXERS

The CT Trailmixers are a trail running club based in central Connecticut. Our members are passionate about sharing Connecticut’s many wonderful trails with friends and visitors, and the trails at Camp Sloper offer a wide variety of beautiful terrain with varying difficulty levels. For more information on the CT Trailmixers, visit www.cttrailmixers.com. And special thanks to the Southington Community YMCA for their partnership!