Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs

Join us on August 22, 2026, for the 12th annual Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs at Wingfield Park in downtown Ruidoso, NM. This year’s event features a Half Marathon Heavy (13.8 miles) starting at 7:00 AM, an 8.5 Miler at 7:15 AM, and a 4 Miler also at 7:30 AM. Celebrate a decade of trail running with custom commemorative swag, delicious cake, and a lively post-race party.

Since 2014, the Grindstone Trail Runs have been supported by the Village of Ruidoso, Lincoln County, and the US Forest Service. Proceeds benefit the All-Season Adaptive Sports program, which enriches the lives of individuals with disabilities through snow sports and recreation. Over the past eleven years, more than $60,000 has been donated to this program.

A great family event starting & finishing at Wingfield Park with three different trail running distances. Start and finish at Wingfield Park in Midtown Ruidoso (altitude 6900 feet).

• All participants will receive a commemorative engraved granite stone coaster finisher's medal, a custom soft-style shirt, a custom race bib, and FREE professional race photos.
• T-shirt size guaranteed to everyone registered by midnight on August 13th.
• Post-race showers will be available at the Ruidoso Athletic Club.
• Photographers will be on hand, so smile! Check out our 2025 photos.
• https://travismcwhorter.smugmug.com/2025-Events/2025-Grindstone-Trail-Runs
• Downshift Brewing Company will offer discounts to all participants and host our after-party. FOOD, ANDS & BEER!!

New For 2026!!

Trail Running Film Fest is Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Downshift Brewing Riverside in Ruidoso, NM. Doors open at 2 PM, and the featured film begins at 3 PM. It will be held in conjunction with the Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs. A tradition of storytelling that celebrates the diversity, resilience, and spirit of trail running. The 2026 program features 10 exceptional films from around the globe — a mix of powerful short works and compelling long-form stories that together reflect a broad spectrum of human experience on the trail.

Watch Trailer Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGxAbcT3A7I

Purchase your ticket during the registration process. Limited seating is available. (You do not have to run on Saturday to attend.)

HALF MARATHON HEAVY ( 13.8 miles) start @ 7:00 am
8.5 MILER start @ 7:15 am
4 MILER start @ 7:30 am
KIDS DASH starts @7:40 am

Races start and finish at Wingfield Park in Downtown Ruidoso, 300 Center St.

RACE FEES
4 MILER
11-18 to 1-31 / $27 2-1 to 04-30 / $30 5-1 to 7-15 / $37 7-16 to 8-20 / $44 after 8-22 $47

8.5 MILER
11-18 to 1-31 / $37 2-1 to 04-30 / $40 5-1 to 7-15 / $47 7-16 to 8-20 / $54 after 8-21 $57

13.8 MILER
11-18 to 1-31 / $47 2-1 to 04-30 / $50 5-1 to 7-15 / $57 7-16 to 8-20 / $74 After 8/21 $77

RACE FEES
Kid's Dash (Includes Custom Kids Finishers Medal)
$12 11-18 to 8-20 / 8-21 to race morning $16 (only event you can register race morning)

Description

• Packet Pick-up Friday, August 23, 2026: 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm
• RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP
• Wingfield Park 300 Center Street (across from the RAC under the pavilion): 6:00 am to 6:45 am
• Race morning briefing @ 6:50 am.
  HALF MARATHON HEAVY RACE STARTS 7.00 AM Sharp.
  8.5 7:15 AM Sharp & 4 MILE 7:30 AM Sharp.
  KID'S RUN STARTS AT 7:40 AM Sharp.
  CHIP TIMING*.
  NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON.
  BIB NUMBERS/RACE ENTRIES ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE
• For your safety & the safety of others: NO PETS ALLOWED, NO STROLLERS, NO E-BIKES ON THE TRAILS
• 2 water/filling stations on the course for Heavy Half Marathon & 8.5 (filling stations available at Wingfield Park, MM5 & MM9).
  Please bring your own hydration container.

Race Description

• HEAVY HALF MARATHON ( 13.8 miles) start @ 7.00 am
  CUT-OFF TIME: 5:00Hours. If you cannot finish before 12:30 pm on race day, we will not offer any support: NO timing; NO awards; NO EMT or Police; NO refreshments or food. A little longer than an official half-marathon, but what’s a few extra yards between friends !!! You will get a smorgasbord of heart-pounding hills and technical downhills to satisfy your trail runner's desire.
  Walkers are discouraged for this distance, but 2 other distance options are available.
• Start & finish at Wingfield Park
• CUPLESS EVENT - We’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park.
• 2 refill water station (no cups), junction between 8.5M & Half (MM9), Half (MM7).
• Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line.
• Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners
  (Male & Female)
• Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female).
• Complimentary Race Photos available
• Souvenir Charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female):
  10-15; 16-19;20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up.
• Complimentary Race Photos available
• EACH INTERSECTION ON THE TRAIL (4 & 8.5 MILE, 13.8M)
  WILL HAVE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WiTH EVENT DiSTAnCE
• 8.5 MILER start @ 7.15 am
  If you need a challenge, you’ll face a nice variety of hills & slopes to improve your trail runner technique. Start & finish at Wingfield Park.
• CUPLESS EVENT- we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park.
• Water refill station on the course. Carry your own - we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park. One refill station (MM5).
• Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners
  (Male & Female)
• Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female).
• Complimentary race photos available
• Souvenir award charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female):
  10-15; 16-19;20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up.
• Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line.
• 4 MILER start @ 7.15 am
  Perfect distance for a beginner trail runner. 1/2 paved & 1/2 trail, an ideal introduction to this new discipline. Walkers welcomed.
• Start & finish at Wingfield Park.
• CUPLESS EVENT: No water station on the course. Carry your own; we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park.
• Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line.
• Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners
  (Male & Female)
• Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female).
• Souvenir award charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female):
  10-15; 16-19; 20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up.
• Kid's Dash
• One loop around Wingfield Park
• Souvenir Kids Medal Awarded to everyone!!
  For questions, please contact Shane Asbury (RD) info@wanderlust.run

COURSE MAPS LISTED BELOW