
From the Organizer
Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs
Sat, August 22, 2026
7:00 AM MDT
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300 Center Street, Ruidoso, NM
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Join us on August 22, 2026, for the 12th annual Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs at Wingfield Park in downtown Ruidoso, NM. This year’s event features a Half Marathon Heavy (13.8 miles) starting at 7:00 AM, an 8.5 Miler at 7:15 AM, and a 4 Miler also at 7:30 AM. Celebrate a decade of trail running with custom commemorative swag, delicious cake, and a lively post-race party.
Since 2014, the Grindstone Trail Runs have been supported by the Village of Ruidoso, Lincoln County, and the US Forest Service. Proceeds benefit the All-Season Adaptive Sports program, which enriches the lives of individuals with disabilities through snow sports and recreation. Over the past eleven years, more than $60,000 has been donated to this program.
A great family event starting & finishing at Wingfield Park with three different trail running distances. Start and finish at Wingfield Park in Midtown Ruidoso (altitude 6900 feet).
All participants will receive a commemorative engraved granite stone coaster finisher's medal, a custom soft-style shirt, a custom race bib, and FREE professional race photos.
T-shirt size guaranteed to everyone registered by midnight on August 13th.
Post-race showers will be available at the Ruidoso Athletic Club.
Photographers will be on hand, so smile! Check out our 2025 photos.
https://travismcwhorter.smugmug.com/2025-Events/2025-Grindstone-Trail-Runs
Downshift Brewing Company will offer discounts to all participants and host our after-party. FOOD, AND & BEER!!
HALF MARATHON HEAVY ( 13.8 miles) start @ 7:00 am
8.5 MILER start @ 7:15 am
4 MILER start @ 7:30 am
KIDS DASH starts @7:40 am
Races start and finish at Wingfield Park in Downtown Ruidoso, 300 Center St.
RACE FEES
4 MILER
11-18 to 1-31 / $27 2-1 to 04-30 / $30 5-1 to 7-15 / $37 7-16 to 8-20 / $44 after 8-22 $47
8.5 MILER
11-18 to 1-31 / $37 2-1 to 04-30 / $40 5-1 to 7-15 / $47 7-16 to 8-20 / $54 after 8-21 $57
13.8 MILER
11-18 to 1-31 / $47 2-1 to 04-30 / $50 5-1 to 7-15 / $57 7-16 to 8-20 / $74 After 8/21 $77
RACE FEES
Kid's Dash (Includes Custom Kids Finishers Medal)
$12 11-18 to 8-20 / 8-21 to race morning $16 (only event you can register race morning)
Description
Packet Pick-up Friday, August 21st, 2026: 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm
RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP
Wingfield Park 300 Center Street (across from the RAC under the pavilion): 6:00 am to 6:45 am
Race morning briefing @ 6:50 am.
HALF MARATHON HEAVY RACE STARTS 7.00 AM Sharp.
8.5 7:15 AM Sharp & 4 MILE 7:30 AM Sharp.
KID'S RUN STARTS AT 7:40 AM Sharp.
CHIP TIMING*.
NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON.
BIB NUMBERS/RACE ENTRIES ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE
For your safety & the safety of others: NO PETS ALLOWED, NO STROLLERS, NO E-BIKES ON THE TRAILS
2 water/filling stations on the course for Heavy Half Marathon & 8.5 (filling stations available at Wingfield Park, MM5 & MM9).
Please bring your own hydration container.
Race Description
HEAVY HALF MARATHON ( 13.8 miles) start @ 7.00 am
CUT-OFF TIME: 5:00Hours. If you cannot finish before 12:30 pm on race day, we will not offer any support: NO timing; NO awards; NO EMT or Police; NO refreshments or food. A little longer than an official half-marathon, but what’s a few extra yards between friends !!! You will get a smorgasbord of heart-pounding hills and technical downhills to satisfy your trail runner's desire.
Walkers are discouraged for this distance, but 2 other distance options are available.
Start & finish at Wingfield Park
CUPLESS EVENT - We’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park.
2 refill water station (no cups), junction between 8.5M & Half (MM9), Half (MM7).
Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line.
Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners
(Male & Female)
Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female).
Complimentary Race Photos available
Souvenir Charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female):
10-15; 16-19;20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up.
Complimentary Race Photos available
EACH INTERSECTION ON THE TRAIL (4 & 8.5 MILE, 13.8M)
WILL HAVE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WiTH EVENT DiSTAnCE
8.5 MILER start @ 7.15 am
If you need a challenge, you’ll face a nice variety of hills & slopes to improve your trail runner technique. Start & finish at Wingfield Park.
CUPLESS EVENT- we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park.
Water refill station on the course. Carry your own - we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park. One refill station (MM5).
Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners
(Male & Female)
Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female).
Complimentary race photos available
Souvenir award charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female):
10-15; 16-19;20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up.
Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line.
4 MILER start @ 7.15 am
Perfect distance for a beginner trail runner. 1/2 paved & 1/2 trail, an ideal introduction to this new discipline. Walkers welcomed.
Start & finish at Wingfield Park.
CUPLESS EVENT: No water station on the course. Carry your own; we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park.
Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line.
Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners
(Male & Female)
Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female).
Souvenir award charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female):
10-15; 16-19; 20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up.
Kid's Dash
One loop around Wingfield Park
Souvenir Kids Medal Awarded to everyone!!
For questions, please contact Shane Asbury (RD) info@wanderlust.run
Events
Weather
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
78°
Typical Low
50°
Chance of Rain
45%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Ruidoso, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
7,701
as of 2023
City Elevation
6,802 ft
Nearest Airport
ROW
Roswell Air Center Airport · 66 mi
Major Hub
ELP
El Paso International Airport · 113 mi
Time Zone
Mountain Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
66
Days to train
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From Endurance Grid
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.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Running off-road — dirt, singletrack, and mountain paths — from 5Ks to ultras. The terrain, not the pace, is the whole point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs
Aug 22, 2026