Farm Park Challenge

About the Event

The Farm Park Challenge is a versatile trail event scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood, Maryland. Organized by the MyMuddyShoes Trail Club, the event offers a unique "segment" format alongside traditional race distances. For 2026, the organizers have streamlined registration by eliminating the final price increase, encouraging participants to sign up by April 18 to secure their event apparel.

Race Distance / Format	Start Time	Duration / Laps	Style
Marathon	6:50 AM	Full Course	Traditionally Timed
10-Hour Challenge	7:00 AM	10 Segments	Top of the Hour Start
6-Hour Challenge	7:00 AM	6 Segments	Top of the Hour Start
25K Trail Run	8:00 AM	3 Laps	Traditionally Timed
3-Hour Challenge	8:00 AM	3 Segments	Top of the Hour Start

The geography of the course consists of a 5-mile out-and-back loop set on the natural surface trails of Montgomery County. The terrain is largely fast and runnable, though participants will encounter grassy sections and singletrack with technical elements such as exposed rocks, roots, and minor creek crossings. While the course features rolling hills, it lacks any severe mountain climbs, making it an accessible option for those transitioning to trail running. In early May, the Maryland climate is typically mild with average highs of 21°C (70°F), though the shaded wooded sections of the park can retain moisture, potentially creating muddy conditions on the singletrack paths.

Logistically, the Farm Park Challenge is highly regarded for its support systems, particularly its aid station which provides extensive options including vegan and vegetarian snacks. Participants in the "Challenge" categories start a new 5-mile segment at the top of every hour; those who finish their loop early may rest until the next hour begins, favoring runners with efficient recovery strategies. The event has a long history, with results dating back to 2012, and remains a cornerstone of the MyMuddyShoes Trail Club's annual calendar. Thomas Stumpfoll holds a notable performance in the marathon category, recording a 3:23:26 in 2023.

Races Offered

Marathon

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 42.2K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:50

sell

$64.00

10hrs

May 02, 2026

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Distance — 10 Hours

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

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$74.00

6hrs

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 6 Hours

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

sell

$64.00

25K

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 25K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$54.00

3hrs

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3 Hours

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$54.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Derwood.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 12.7° / 22.9°

wb_sunny 11.0° / 21.6°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 10.3 /

water_drop 71.6%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 12.7° / 22.9°

wb_sunny 11.0° / 21.6°

air 10.3 km/h

water_drop 71.6%

About Derwood

Learn more about the host city, Derwood.

Derwood is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in east-central Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It lies just north of Rockville, southeast of Gaithersburg, southwest of Olney, and northwest of the greater Silver Spring area. Derwood was originally "Deer Park" and was then "Deer Wood" before getting its current name.