The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon
- Date
- October 3, 2026
- Distance
- Half Marathon · VIRTUAL Half Marathon · Race Volunteer
From the Organizer
HERE'S TO YEAR 12 OF THE RUGGED RED RACE!!!!
Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 7:15am in Slade, Kentucky
Join us as we run in one of the most spectacular trail settings in the United States and provide support to the men and women who serve on the search & rescue teams that regularly save lives in the Red River Gorge area.
RACE FEATURES:
- Spectacular 13.1 mile looping trail course on private property in the scenic Red River Gorge
- Commemorative long sleeved performance shirts (Men's & Women's sizes)
- Custom Finisher's Medals
- Lively DJ playing great music to celebrate the accomplishment of all finishers
- Overall Top 3 M/F and Top 3 M/F in the following age groups (0-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70+)
- Free Race Photos (Thanks to Skyler Dickinson Photography)
- Complimentary hot and cold brew coffee (Thanks Berserker Brew)
- A complimentary West Sixth beer for all racers (21 & older)
- BBQ Lunch provided to all racers (Thanks Hungry Hiker Bar & Grill)
- Run The Red Teams (Teams of 5 or more SAVE $5/team member)
- Convenient Thursday Packet Pickup in Lexington, Friday PPU in Slade, KY
- Post race shakeout/massages by Lance Minnis
- Raffle for some great prizes!
- Great camping and lodging options in the RRG --- The entire Natural Bridge Campground is available for racers in 2026!
- A trail running experience like none other!
You can find the course map here -
COURSE HYDRATION: Our race is cup less. Please bring a water bottle or self-hydration system. We will have Shaklee hydration and water at the start area and water at 5 locations along the 13.1-mile route.
SPECIAL AGE BASED PRICING (Ages 10-16) We are offering a $35 registration fee for those running who are ages 10-16)
PACKET PICKUP (PPU): We are hosting several packet pickup opportunities. Our packet pickups will be held on Thursday, 10/1/26 from 5-7pm at J&H Running Company (197 Moore Drive in Lexington) and on Friday, 10/2/26 from 4-8pm at the Natural Bridge Campground (pavilion). This is the race venue. We will also hold last chance PPU on race morning (Saturday, 10/3/26) 5:45-7am at the same location. The address for Natural Bridge Campground is 90 L&E Railroad Place, Slade, KY 40376
Please check out the race website and our FB page for more info and updates and reach out to BobBaney12@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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
73°
Typical Low
50°
Chance of Rain
36%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Beattyville 4n, 11 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Slade, KY
Elevation
745 ft
Nearest Airport
LEX
Blue Grass Airport · 52 mi
Major Hub
CVG
Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport · 101 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
117
Days to train
- Race
- The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon
- Date
- October 3, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Slade, KY
Beer Cheese 5K
5K
29 miles away
The Ascent Red River Gorge 5K & 10K Trail Races
10K · 5K
Less than a mile away
Run Morehead 5K
5K
31 miles away
GRC Cross Country Daniel Boone 5K Honoring David Borden
5K
29 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon?
- The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon is a running race held in Slade, Kentucky on October 3, 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 Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon?
- Saturday, October 3, 2026 in Slade, Kentucky at Natural Bridge Campground, Slade, KY. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon
Oct 3, 2026