Firefly Trail Festival
Firefly Trail Festival is a running and mountain bike race on September 5, 2026 in Fort Wayne, IN, with an entry fee of $10.
- Date
- September 5, 2026 (44 days to go)
- Location
- Franke Park, Fort Wayne, IN
- Price
- $10
- Sports
- RunningMountain Bike
From the Organizer
Franke Park After Dark!
Getting Miles Athletic Club is bringing back the Firefly for a night of trails, lights, and good people at Franke Park. This year, we’re inviting mountain bike riders to join the fun.
When the sun goes down, the trails get a whole new personality.
The Firefly Trail Festival combines two different ways to enjoy Franke Park after dark.
Firefly Six Hour Trail Race
- Run as many laps as possible in six hours
- Paved path, gravel, and technical singletrack
- 5:01 PM start
- Awards at 11:15
Firefly Night Ride
- 10K, 20K or 30k
- Franke Park Blue Trail
- 5:00 PM start
- Awards at 8:30 PM
The Firefly is more than a race. It’s a chance to set up a base camp, share trail snacks, swap stories, and spend an evening with an awesome trail community.
Every participant receives a custom Firefly finisher medal. Top male and female finishers in each category receive unique handmade awards.
And don’t forget the coveted Dead Freaking Last Award. Because every finisher beats the version of themselves that stayed home on race day.
Bring your miles.
Bring your lights.
Chase the fireflies.
The two events have separate courses, but they share the same starting line energy. Mountain bike riders will start about one minute before the runners, sending everyone into the woods as the Firefly evening begins.
This event is about more than miles. It is about meeting people, sharing trail stories, trying something new, and enjoying the awesome community that makes Franke Park special.
Every participant will receive a custom Firefly finisher medal. Top male and female finishers in each category will receive handmade awards created specifically for this event. Find The HUB at Franke Park and come join us for a night of trails, lights, and community.
Bring your miles. Bring your lights. Chase the fireflies.
Schedule of Events
Friday
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Packet pickup at The HUB
Race Day
3:30 PM to 4:45 PM
Packet pickup
4:45 PM
Race instructions and information
5:00 PM
Firefly Night Ride starts
5:01 PM
Firefly Six Hour Trail Race starts
9:00 PM
Firefly Night Ride awards
11:00 PM
Firefly Six Hour Trail Race awards
Firefly Six-Hour Trail Race
Run as many trail laps as you can in six hours through the Franke Park trail system.
Bring your:
● Headlamp or flashlight
● Folding chair
● Insect repellent
● Sunscreen
● Snacks
● Water
● Hydration mix
Firefly Night Ride
Ride the Blue Trail after sunset with a 10K, 20K or 30K mountain bike challenge.
Firefly Night Ride
10K, 20K and 30K Mountain Bike Race
The trails you know are about to become something completely different.
The Firefly Night Ride takes riders onto the Franke Park Blue Trail as daylight fades and the challenge of night riding begins.
10k Ride
One lap | Approximately 6.25 miles
A fast and fun way to experience mountain biking on technical trails.
Twilight 20K Ride
Two laps | Approximately 12.5 miles. A challenge for riders looking to test their speed, focus and skills.
Fireflly 30K Ride
The featured challenge for riders looking to test their speed, focus and night riding skills.
Bring your
● Mountain bike
● Helmet
● Front light
● Hydration
● Snacks to share at the HUB
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
79°
Typical Low
57°
Chance of Rain
30%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Ft Wayne Intl Ap, 9 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Fort Wayne, IN
Population
266,235
as of 2023
City Elevation
767 ft
Nearest Airport
FWA
Fort Wayne International Airport · 9 mi
Major Hub
IND
Indianapolis International Airport · 114 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Firefly Trail Festival, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
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From Endurance Grid
About These Sports
This race spans more than one sport — here’s a guide to each, so you can understand what’s involved and decide if it’s the right fit. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Mountain Bike
Mountain bike races take place on singletrack trails and natural terrain — dirt, roots, rocks, and forest roads. Mountain biking rewards skill as much as fitness.
Coming Up
More Running races near Fort Wayne, IN
Thirsty Thursday Pub Run @ The Tincaps
5K · From $25 · 1301 Ewing St.
2 miles away
Appleseeds Cross Country
1 Mile · 2 Mile / 3K · 5K · From $135 · 1750 Goshen Rd.
Less than a mile away
Dirty Fox Five Hour Trail Race
From $30 · Franke Park
Less than a mile away
Fort4Fitness Fox Trot - GSNIM
1 Mile · From $20 · 1301 Ewing St.
2 miles away
Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Fort Wayne than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to Fort WayneFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Firefly Trail Festival?+
When and where is the Firefly Trail Festival?+
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Firefly Trail Festival
Sep 5, 2026