Additional race information can be found at http://boldcoastrunners.org.
Join Downeast Coastal Conservancy and Bold Coast Runners and wind through the woods and along the river in this trail running event through the Machias River Preserve to celebrate conservation in our community and help raise awareness for the protection of Downeast Maine's wild places. The Bad Little Trail Run is named from the Passamaquoddy word "Machias" meaning Bad Little Falls in reference to the falls on the Machias river.
Both races start and end in Whitneyville, followed by post-race awards and our traditional potluck food and drinks. Your race entry fees include participation in either the 7 mile run or 2.5 mile run/walk as well as the post-race celebrations and awards.
Both races start and finish on the multi-use Downeast Sunrise Trail adjacent to the access parking lot in Whitneyville. After about 1/4 mile on the wide and level gravel trail you cross the Machias River on the old railroad bridge and make a sharp left turn into the woods on the Homestead Trail - a narrow twisting, undulating and sometimes muddy and slippery, but well maintained, mile of single track. After climbing to near the site of the old homestead the trail drops quickly back to the Sunrise trail where the courses split.
The 2.5 mile runners and walkers make a quick jog left then right down to the Machias River where they turn right onto the Machias River Hemlock Trail. This 0.7 mile trail takes you through a grassy and rooty section, including crossing a beaver dam (care needed, but the beavers don't seem to be hostile ;-). Then it's a short section of smooth level trail along the river under some giant hemlocks back to the bridge on the Sunrise Trail. A quick right and left onto the trail and the bridge gives you a 1/4 mile sprint back to the Finish.
The 7 mile runners turn left off the 0.7 mile Homestead Trail onto the Sunrise Trail. After about 1 mile the course turns right alongside the paved road and then turns quickly right (about 100 yards) through the main parking lot for the Machias River Trail. This single track trail descends quickly (just under a mile) to the Machias river. Be careful of the bog bridging on the way down and along the river as it can be extremely slippery when wet. Follow the trail upstream (to the right) alongside the river - with one short hilly section inland to avoid some riverside cliffs! There are a few grassy sections with hidden roots and a few mud holes to enjoy if it's been wet. After 2 miles along the river you keep left on the Hemlock Trail (where the 2.5 mile course comes in from the right) - if you miss the turn you'll immediately find yourself on the Sunrise Trail again. The Hemlock trail takes you 0.7 miles further along the river through a grassy and rooty section, over a beaver dam, and under some giant hemlocks to the bridge over the Machias river. A quick right and left puts you on the trail over the bridge with 1/4 smooth gravel to the Finish.
Both courses are marked with blue surveyors flags which you should keep on your right at all times. Where there are no turns you may see the odd flag for reassurance, but if you come to a cluster of flags it means "pay attention" - there is a turn or junction.
Registration opens at 7:00am on Saturday July 1 and closes at midnight Friday 29 September.
Limited Day of Registration
Numbers are capped (we recommend you sign-up as soon as possible). If you are unable to run, please let us know as soon as possible so we can open your spot to someone else
We will be complying with all guidance regarding COVID-19 as issued by the Federal and State governments, the RRCA, ATRA, and ACORD, at the time of the event. In case of change in the official COVID-19 guidance we may make adjustments at short notice but these will be communicated to you in advance.
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