Trailfest

Trailfest
Presented by MN Trail Run Collective

Trailfest is a 12-hour celebration of the trail community, running from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. There is no frantic mass start, no rigid schedule, and no strict course cutoffs. You move at your own pace—join when you can, and leave when you must.

Course
Because everyone arrives with different goals for the day, there is no set course, and that is by design. William O'Brien State Park's fully mapped park and clearly marked junctions make it easy to navigate on your own, and the park map is available for download on the Avenza app so you can explore with confidence.

Built for the Ultra Training Grind
First and foremost, Trailfest is designed for those grinding out peak training blocks for upcoming fall ultras who want a supported, high-mileage long run. Consider this the perfect opportunity for a full race-day dress rehearsal.

Our Basecamp pavilion serves as the operational hub, the start, the finish, and your main Aid Station. We will have water, ice, Coke, ginger ale, and basic pre-packaged snacks available. However, because ultra nutrition is highly individualized and essential to your training success, please bring your specific race-day fuel with you. We encourage you to bring your own drop bags, coolers, and lawn chairs. Set up your personal pit-stop right at the pavilion so you can practice your exact crew-station transitions, gear swaps, and fueling strategies between loops.

Challenge Your Distance (Low-Pressure, High-Support)
While this is an ideal training ground for veteran ultra-runners, Trailfest is also a low-pressure environment for hikers, trail runners, and everyone in between to challenge themselves. If you’ve been wanting to test your limits and try out a new distance, this is a safe, fully mapped trail system to see what you can do alongside a supportive community.

Prizes, Raffles & Milestone Achievements
We are celebrating both raw grit and participation. To keep things fair and official, all distance claims for milestones and top awards must be verified by showing your GPS data (Garmin, Apple Watch, Strava, etc.) to the crew at Basecamp when you check out.

The Longest Distance Award: We’ll be handing out a fun prize bag for the individual (runner or hiker) who logs the most total verified mileage throughout the 12-hour window.

Milestone Achievements: Hit any of the following official distances during the day, show us your GPS proof at check-out, and earn a custom, hand-stamped MN Trail Run Collective faux leather keychain.

Half Marathon (13.1 Miles)
25K (15.5 Miles)
Marathon (26.2 Miles)
Ultra Marathon (50K / 31 Miles)
The 50-Miler
100K (62 Miles)

The Collective Drawing: Not chasing massive mileage? No problem. Everyone who checks in to participate is automatically entered into a random drawing for a fun prize bag—just for showing up and hitting the dirt.

Logistics & Facilities
Start Time: Choose your own! Arrive anytime during our 12-hour open window to begin your day.
Facilities: Basecamp gives you full access to the park's brand-new, modern restroom facilities. For added peace of mind, the trail network features well-placed vault toilets spaced throughout the park. If nature calls—or if your fueling plan doesn't quite agree with you mid-loop—you are never too far from a restroom.

The Vibe: 

Loop out for your miles, and loop back into Basecamp whenever you need to refuel, swap your socks, grab some camaraderie, or take a quick rest.

Camping
Camping may be available at William O'Brien State Park or nearby campgrounds. Check the MN DNR website for details.