Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon
- Date
- April 18, 2027
- Distance
- Marathon · Half Marathon · 10K
From the Organizer
COURSE INFORMATION:
Experience trail running at its finest in the heart of the Withlacoochee State Forest. The Withlacoochee Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K takes place on the hiking and equestrian trails within the Two Mile Prairie Tract, just outside Lecanto, FL.
Runners will travel through scenic sandhills, oak forests, and wet prairies, with frequent opportunities to spot local wildlife along the course. This is a true Florida trail running experience—beautiful, rugged, and memorable. Please note: this is not a certified course, and it is 100% on unpaved trails. There will be sand, critters (ticks, biting flies, spiders, or snakes), and uneven terrain - but there will also be great aid stations, friendly volunteers, and the beauty of the forest!
Race Distances & Course Details:
Marathon: 2 × 13.1-mile loops
Half Marathon: 1 × 13.1-mile loop
10K: Modified loop course
All races are run on natural trail surfaces. Expect sand, roots, and varied terrain.
Bib Pickup & Registration:
Bib Pickup: Sunday, April 18, 2027
Registration opens 1 hour before your race start time.
Start Times:
Marathon: 7:00 AM
Half Marathon: 8:00 AM
10K: 8:30 AM
Course cutoff: All courses remain open until 2:30 PM for all distances.
Aid Stations:
There will be three fully stocked aid stations, approximately every 5 miles, offering: Water, Electrolyte sports drink, Soda, Pickle Juice, Chips, Fruit & PB&Js. Important: Due to the distance between aid stations, all participants must carry hydration, such as a handheld bottle, waist pack, or hydration vest or pack.
Post‑Race Celebration & Awards:
All finishers receive a finisher's award for their distance.
The top 3 male and female finishers in each distance receive a specially handcrafted award.
After the race, grab a hot dog or burger, set up a camp chair, and relax while cheering on fellow runners as they finish.
Camping Information:
Bear Head Hammock Recreational Area offers primitive camping in the equestrian campground.
Please note:
- No water or power hookups available
- Plan to be fully self-sufficient
- The entire campground is reserved for race participants.
Camping Options:
- Tent camping
- Car camping
- RV “boondock” camping (generators permitted)
Campground access: Saturday, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Local Motels/Hotels:
The Gator Den Motel, 12189 S Williams St, Dunnellon, FL 34432 - 8 miles
Quality Inn Conference Center at Citrus Hills, 350 E Norvell Bryant Hwy, Hernando, FL 34442 - 9 miles
WoodSpring Suites Inverness, 123 S Seminole Ave, Inverness, FL 34452 - 12 miles
Central Motel, 721 US Hwy 41 S, Inverness, FL 34450 - 14 miles
Econo Lodge, 2575 N NW US-19, Crystal River, FL 34428 - 17 miles
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
83°
Typical Low
55°
Chance of Rain
19%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Inverness 3 Se, 10 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Hernando, FL
Elevation
56 ft
Nearest Airport
GNV
Gainesville Regional Airport · 53 mi
Major Hub
TPA
Tampa International Airport · 66 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 Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
314
Days to train
- Race
- Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon
- Date
- April 18, 2027
Coming Up
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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 Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon?
- Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon is a running race held in Hernando, Florida on April 18, 2027. 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 Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon?
- Sunday, April 18, 2027 in Hernando, Florida at Two Mile Prairie Tract - Bear Head Hammock Recreational Area, Hernando, FL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Withlacoochee Forest Trail Marathon
Apr 18, 2027