TARC Spring Classic
Join us for the 2025 Trail Animals Running Club Spring Classic at the Jericho Town Forest, with 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, and 50K distance options! You can read all the exciting details below!
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Please note: This race sells out, and there are no refunds, no transfers, and no deferrals (except for emergencies)!
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Saturday, April 26, 2025 in Weston, Massachusetts​​
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Course Details:
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Start/Finish: 292 Concord Road, Weston, Massachusetts, 02493
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Parking volunteers will direct all participants where to park in the grassy field at the start/finish. Additional parking may be required down the street which is a short walk to the start/finish.
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Course Description:
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The Spring Classic course is relatively flat and smooth and is great for beginners, experts and speedsters alike. We carefully crafted a bespoke 10K loop out of an artisanal maze of twisting trails that runners will compete a number of times according to the distance chosen. For the half marathon and marathon distance we’ll add an extra little bit to get you to near your desired goal. We by no means guarantee you’ll get an exact distance but that’s half the fun!
The start/end of the loop hosts the course’s only aid station.
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Course Markings: The course will be well marked with flagging all along the trails and with signs at any major intersections so that participants can easily stay on route (as long as they are paying attention!). Participants should be sure to review both the course maps and the course description beforehand to understand the general layout of the various distances. We recommend participants also download the GPX file and load it onto their GPS watches if they have one for additional reassurance. If you go off course on race day, you must backtrack, as opposed to making up your own version of the course. Review of GPS files will be done if it is believed the course was not followed by any given participant. Participants found to have not done the course as marked may be unable to get an official finish time. Please let the volunteers know at the aid stations if there are any navigation issues and we will work with you and others to sort them out.
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Cut Off Times:​ We love our volunteers and want to respect their time, as such we strictly enforce our cutoffs so that everyone can get home in a predictable time frame. Over all the distances, Runners will have till 2:15 PM to start their last loop and must be finished by 4:00PM. Sweepers will be on the course removing markers at 2:30 PM and runners must stay ahead of them. If you anticipate needing more time to complete your race please contact us and we can potentially arrange for an earlier start.
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Aid Station: We will have one aid station at the start/finish of each 10K loop. Participants can also access their own personal belongings near the start/finish as needed. Please note this is a cupless race and you will need to bring your own hydration system (bottle/cup/vest/etc.).
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You can expect the following at the aid station (everything listed below is vegan friendly) in addition to other surprises:
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Hyle Hydration, Soda, Water, & Ice (if you want to try out Hyle Hydration before the event, they were generous enough to give us the discount code TARC20 to share with everyone for use on their website)
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Watermelon, Orange, & Banana Slices
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Assorted Dried Fruit
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Nutter Butters, Breakfast Bars, Fig Newtons, & Oreos
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Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish, & Twizzlers
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Potato Chips, Pringles, Fritos
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Peanut Butter/Nutella Sandwiches
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Vegan Quesadillas
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Pickles
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Please let us know what additional requests you might have, and we will see what we can do!
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Leave No Trace: The TARC Spring Classic has a Leave No Trace policy. Please adhere to the Leave No Trace principles during the duration of the event (and we hope whenever you are out in nature).
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Food & Drink Donations:
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We invite everyone to bring food and drink donations for the aid stations. The food donation signup form will be sent out to participants in the weeks before the event. Please drop off any food donations at the start/finish when you go in to get your bib (one of the tables will be labeled for the donations). Any extra food and drink donations will be brought to the food pantry after the event (as long as the items are nonperishable).
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Land Acknowledgement:
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The TARC Spring Classic is held on land that was originally home to the Pawtucket and Massachusett people, the original stewards of this territory. We encourage our participants to educate themselves on the history of the land we will be running on as well as the history of the land where you train and call home. Running on Native lands gives us all the opportunity to connect with and reflect on the history of the land and the communities who have lived here for centuries.
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Schedule:
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​Saturday, April 26, 2025 | Race Day​
05:47 a.m. | Sunrise
07:00 a.m. | Bib Pick Up Opens
07:45 a.m. | Pre Race Meeting
08:00 a.m. | 10K Start Time & Yeti Howl!
08:15 a.m. | Half Marathon/Marathon/50K Start Time & Yeti Howl!
02:15 p.m. | Last Loop Cutoff at the Start/Finish Area
04:00 p.m. | Course Closes for All Participants
07:40 p.m. | Sunset
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Spring Course Preview Runs:
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We will be hosting at least one course preview run in April on the Spring Classic course. Details can be found on Facebook and our Monthly Group Runs page. Join us for some casual training miles in the Jericho Town Forest.
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Cost & Registration:
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We keep the cost of all TARC events low to try and make our events as accessible as we can. The cost of the TARC Spring Classic across all distances (with the exception of the free youth fun run) is $25. Please see below for information on our discounted youth entries. Our event profits are donated to land conservations & trusts in support of our trail running passion. Please reach out if the cost is in any way a barrier to you. We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the incredible trails and community at our event.
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No race day registration is offered, and online registration closes at the beginning of race week. We recommend registering early in advance, as this event will sell out.
Switching Distances or Canceling Registration:
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TARC Spring Classic participants can edit their registration and distance through RunReg. Go to Account History and then Registration History and click "Edit" next to the Fall Classic. Change to the distance you desire and click "Update Registration." You will have the ability to edit your distance up to Tuesday, April 22 at 11:00 a.m. This gives our timing crew enough time to manage the bibs for all participants before race day. If you need help or have any questions, you can email the Race Director, but please try these methods first to expedite the process!
Participants will have to email the Race Director in order to cancel their registration.
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Pregnancy Deferral Policy:
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We understand there are many barriers for new parents and pregnant runners within the sport of trail running. Participants who become pregnant prior to race day or are the parents to a recent newborn can defer their entry to our event for up to two years. The race reserves the right to require additional proof of pregnancy. Please reach out to the Race Director at least one week prior to race day to process your deferral.
Refund Policy:
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TARC races maintain a no refund policy. There will be no refunds for any reason. Any requests for a refund will be politely directed to this blurb. Please consider your race entry a donation to the trails, but one where you also get a chance to challenge yourself physically and mentally while taking in all the beauty the landscape has to offer.
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USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail Running Youth Initiative:
To raise awareness of trail races among young runners and increase participation, the American Trail Running Association has partnered with the USATF MUT Youth Initiative to create a “Youth Trail” certified program for race directors. The TARC Fall Classic is one of the early adopters of their program, and we offer discounted entries ($10 off) across all distances for youth 19 years old or under.
Please reach out if you are looking to register yourself or someone else through this program.
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Trail Sisters Approved Event:
The TARC Spring Classic is proud to be Trail Sisters Approved! The commitment includes, when applicable, equal podium spots, equal prize money & awards, women’s specific swag & apparel, menstrual products at aid station parta potties (where applicable), and equal opportunity/space for women on the starting line. You can learn more about the standards and their awesome organization here.
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Pride on Foot Partner:
Pride on Foot works with run groups, race directors, and fitness organizations who want to understand how to be more accepting and inclusive of Transgender, Genderqueer Intersex, Gender non conforming, and Non binary people. Through education and policy changes they create affirming, inviting, and safe spaces where everyone can be free to workout while living an authentic life.
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Adaptive Athletes:
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We welcome the participation of adaptive athletes at our event!
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Adaptive athletes must be able to run the course.
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Tethers and guides may be used for athletes with a visual impairment.
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Leg prosthetics may be used for amputees.
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Crutches, braces, or poles may be used if indicated/necessary, with approval from the Race Director.
Please reach out with any questions or to let us know how we can best support you and your race day needs. Guides for adaptive athletes can register as participants if they want their own time/result.
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Pacers & Crew:
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Pacers are not allowed for any distance at the TARC Spring Classic. Participants who do not adhere to these rules risk disqualification. Crew access is allowed only at the start/finish aid station. Please be aware that parking at the start/finish will be tight until around noon on race day, and parking spots are not guaranteed for crew unless they carpool with their runner(s). Participants are welcome to leave their gear by the start/finish area and they will pass it every loop. Participants can also set up tents (no bigger than 10x10) in the grass near the start/finish but should check with volunteers beforehand to make sure their tent is out of the way.
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Volunteer Opportunities:
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We need volunteers to help make this special day happen and to give our participants the experience they deserve! This includes help with bib pickup, course directing, aid stations, course sweeping, start/finish area support, parking guidance, etc. Volunteers are what make TARC events so fun and also run so smoothly. No experience is required, and it can be your first time attending one of our events! If you are bringing along family or friends to spectate, we encourage them to also get involved by volunteering. If you are running one of the shorter races, consider hanging around to help out afterward. Even if you can't make it on the day of the race, there are still opportunities to get involved. If you need service requirements for other races, we can also sign off on your hours! If we get enough folks, too, it's never a problem for our volunteers to become "course marshals" and get some running in on the trails. All we ask is you help fill up some water bottles and tell runners they look awesome.
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Please reach out if you or your organization are interested in volunteering. We welcome running clubs, hiking groups, sports teams, local businesses, and more to join us in April.
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View and register for the various shifts here.
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Participant Camaraderie:
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Whether you are competing for the win or bringing up the rear of the pack, we are all out on the trails to have fun and move our bodies in nature. All of our participants are incredible for just getting to the starting line, and you all have impressive journeys for getting there. On race day, we hope you will be everyone else's top cheerleader, cheering on and providing support for one another throughout the morning. Be sure to spread the love and joy with your fellow trail animals. We also welcome and encourage you to bring chairs and stick around after your own race to cheer on other participants as they come through the finish.
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Parking & Travel:
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*Please note that carpooling will be necessary!*
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Parking is available for participants right at the start/finish area in the grassy field. Please help us out by carpooling with as many fellow trail animals as possible. Participants can post in the Trail Animals Running Club Facebook Group coordinating carpools. Friends and family coming as spectators and traveling in different vehicles are not guaranteed parking. No camping is available at the start/finish.
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Running in the Woods & Weather:
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Please prepare for all manner of weather, insects, critters, trail rash, etc! Historically, this race has fluctuated between nice and cool days and uber duber hot ones! In New England, we have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best!
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Community Resources:
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Looking for folks to run and train with? Here are some local groups:
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TARC Blue Hills & Great Brook Farm State Park Monthly Group Runs
Northeast Trail Crew Weekly Runs
Greater Framingham Running Club
Looking for trail shoes and gear? Here are some local stores we recommend:
Marathon Sports (multiple locations)
Heartbreak Hill Running Company (multiple locations)
Fleet Feet/JackRabbit (multiple locations)
Recreation Equipment Inc. (multiple locations)
New England Running Company & Trail (Beverly)
Charles River Running (Norwood)
Who We Are:
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The Trail Animals Running Club is a nonprofit running club rooted in the Boston area. We aim to act as community stewards by providing equitable access to trail running and promoting positive trail running culture. We welcome people of all races, nationalities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities & expressions, ages, and abilities. Our event profits are donated to land conservations & trusts in support of our trail running passion. You can RSVP for emails about our runs here.
Trail Animals Running Club Apparel:
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You can purchase our fun club apparel here!​​
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History of the TARC Fall Classic:
Held on April 23, 2011
​Held on April 28, 2012
Held on April 27, 2013
Held on April 26, 2014
Held on April 25, 2015
Held on April 23, 2016
Held on April 22, 2017
Held on April 21, 2018
Held on April 20, 2019
Scheduled on April 25, 2020 (canceled)
Scheduled on April 24, 2021 (canceled)
Held on April 23, 2022
Held on April 22, 2023
Held on April 20, 2024
Scheduled on April 26, 2025
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Course Records:
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10K Male Record: 44:31 | 2024 | Steve Levandosky (53) (current course is longer than previous years)
10K Female Record: 58:31 | 2024 | Alexandra Ross (23) (current course is longer than previous years)
10K Nonbinary Record: To be determined
Half Marathon Male Record: 01:25:10 | 2023 | Mat Ridley (32)
Half Marathon Female Record: 01:45:20 (2023) | Elizabeth Atwater (43)
Half Marathon Nonbinary Record: 02:17:30 | 2024 | Maxwell Hume (36)
Marathon Male Record: 03:08:13 | 2018 | Patrick Caron (20)
Marathon Female Record: 03:22:28 | 2023 | Anna Slager (23)
Marathon Nonbinary Record: To be determined
50K Male Record: 03:24:51 | 2012 | Scott Traer (31)
50K Female Record: 04:14:28 | 2024 | Lila Gaudrault (21)
50K Nonbinary Record: To be determined
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Reviews & Reports:
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Let us know if you have any reviews or reports of our event that you want to share with the community!