Registration for the 2024 Tackle the Trail is open. The best prices of the year for all races – 10K, half-marathon, marathon, and relay teams – are available until January 30th. Prices will increase on January 31st.
Tackle the Trail has raised over $500,000 over the past decade. Created by The QVCC Foundation, the race not only supports current and future students but has become a destination for local, national, and international runners.
More about The QVCC Foundation
In 2023, The Foundation provided over $300,000 to the college in the form of workforce development grants, financial aid grants, advanced manufacturing grants, and scholarships.
The race winds through communities starting in Willimantic, CT, and finishing in Putnam, CT. It is intertwined in the fabric of fall events in the “Quiet Corner” of Connecticut, boasting more than 100 volunteers and partnerships with local businesses.
Proceeds from this race support students pursuing their educational dreams at CT State Community College -Quinebaug Valley Community Colleg
Course Changes Due to Unprecedented Rain Update 10/2/23
Mother Nature has thrown us a curve ball with unprecedented rain this summer and early fall. This has affected the start location for the Marathon and Relay Teams race. Both the Marathon and Relay team race will now start the race at Estabrook Road, Hampton, CT. There is very limited parking at the Estabrook location.
Relay leg 1 runners and marathoners are highly encouraged to take transportation from the finish location at the HaleYMCA, 9 Technology Park Drive, Putnam, CT to the Estabrook Starting Line.
Course Changes
Since the former first leg of the race/relay race (the distance to the relay station one) was the longest distance, there have been modifications for the course to accommodate. The technical portion of the course through Goodwin Forrest will be run by both marathoners (two loops) and relay team legs one AND two.
Hand-off for the third leg of the relay team race will be at the Goodwin Forrest loop and proceed to Brooklyn Rd, Pomfret.
The fourth leg of the relay race and the marathon will now includean additional loop through the Windham Land Trust. This additional distance includes a short technical uphill to a field run before descending back to the Airline Trail.
Join Tackle the Trail™, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW), and the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center on Sunday, May 21st at 10 AM. This will mark a five-month countdown to TackleJR event. This free family and youth-oriented event will take place at The Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center, 9 Technology Park Road, Putnam, CT 06260. Advanced registration is not required.
Youth runners and their families will participate in a fun workshop “Running 101”, led by Tackle the Trail™ Race Director Monique Wolanin. Immediately after the workshop, all will hit the Putnam River Trail for a group and family run.
The third annual TackleJR will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023. This is free for children 2 to 12 years old, who will enjoy running the last half-mile of the Tackle the Trail™. All children receive a medal after crossing the finish line.
