Summer Trail Series
- Date
- July 2 – August 27, 2026
- Distance
- 5K · Other
- Price
- $30–$125
From the Organizer
THE SUMMER TRAIL SERIES RETURNS TO CASTLEWOOD!
St. Louis trail runners have long known that the best way to spend a summer Thursday night is tearing up the singletrack, conquering the bluffs, and catching a sunset over the Meramec River. The St. Louis Track Club is excited to host its Summer Trail Series, sponsored by Alpine Shop, at Castlewood State Park in Ballwin, MO. To maximize our summer daylight and keep everyone safe on the trails, runners will tackle the longest distances in the peak of July's summer sun and race the shorter courses as the evenings get shorter in August.
**St. Louis Track Club members receive $10 off the series cost, or $2 off the single-race cost! Discount automatically applied when you're logged into RunSignUp with the same email address you used to sign up for membership.**
THE FROSTBITE FORMAT — FOR THE SUMMER!
We are bringing the exact same trusted structure from our flagship winter event, the Frostbite Series, to the trails: five races, held every other week. Just like Frostbite, points will accumulate over the course of the five-race series toward overall awards. We also know that summer is a busy time for family vacations and busy schedules, so we are keeping the classic Frostbite rule: your lowest-performing race score will be dropped from the final standings. You can skip a race or erase a tough night on the trails and still stay in the running for an award!
THE 2026 LINEUP & DISTANCES
All races kick off at 6:15 PM at Castlewood State Park (Race HQ in the Special Events area past the train trestle).
* Race 1: July 2, 2026 – 8K
* Race 2: July 16, 2026 – 7K
* Race 3: July 30, 2026 – 6K
* Race 4: August 13, 2026 – 5K
* Race 5: August 27, 2026 – 4K
* Rain/Weather Date: Sept. 3, 2026 – in case we need to reschedule a race
Presented by the St. Louis Track Club, this is the ultimate mid-week escape. Whether you're hunting down a series win or just looking to enjoy a run in the woods and a cold drink with friends, your Thursday nights just got a major upgrade. Space will be strictly limited due to park trail capacities — so go ahead and claim your spot in the dirt!
COME FOR THE RUN, STAY FOR THE PARTY!
After each run we'll be grilling up hotdogs and serving up ice-cold brews (vegetarian and NA options will be available too!) for the perfect post-run recovery party. Cheer on everyone while they finish and meet some new trail friends. We're keeping the grill going for all five races, so come hungry and leave happy!
SERIES SCORING
Series awards will be earned by accruing points across a maximum of four races (i.e., your four best races). There will be 3 awards per gender group. A runner’s races will be awarded points based on their age/gender group placement using the following scale: 1st – 50 points; 2nd – 45 points; 3rd – 40 points; 4th – 35 points; 5th – 30 points; 6th - 25 points; 7th - 20 points; 8th - 15 points; 9th - 10 points; all finishers receive 5 points. Only series registrants are eligible for series awards.
For the individual races in each series, the top three runners in each gender receive a ribbon.
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
88°
Typical Low
69°
Chance of Rain
28%
Based on US Climate Normals data from St Charles 7 Ssw, 9 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Ballwin, MO
Population
30,835
as of 2023
City Elevation
640 ft
Nearest Airport
STL
St. Louis Lambert International Airport · 14 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Summer Trail Series, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
15
Days to train
- Race
- Summer Trail Series
- Date
- July 2 – August 27, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Ballwin, MO
Run for Heart Warriors 5k
5K · From $45 · 550 Weidman Road
4 miles away
Big River Cross Country Camp
415 Weidman Road
4 miles away
Ballwin Days 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run
1 Mile · 5K · From $22.50 · 300 Park Drive
4 miles away
Sauna Gang Charity Sauna Hat Workout & BBQ
1234 Marshall rd
3 miles away
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 the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Trail Running
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)
- What is the Summer Trail Series?
- Summer Trail Series is a running race held in Ballwin, Missouri on July 2, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Summer Trail Series?
- Thursday, July 2, 2026 in Ballwin, Missouri at 1401 Kiefer Creek Rd. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Summer Trail Series?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Summer Trail Series
Jul 2, 2026