John Holmes Trail Run

The John Holmes Trail Run returns to Brooksville, Florida on October 3rd, offering runners a chance to experience one of the Southeast's oldest long-distance races. This year marks the event’s 34th running at Croom Hiking Trail through central Florida’s picturesque landscape of long leaf pines and scrub oak hills. The trail winds past creek bottoms and cypress ponds, providing scenic views and challenging terrain for participants.
On race morning, runners can expect to find a cool but comfortable setting with temperatures ranging from 18.6°C to 27.3°C, typical for early October in Brooksville. The air will be humid at around 76.5%, with light winds and minimal risk of rain, thanks to an average rainfall of only 4.1mm during the race period. This makes it a prime opportunity to explore the trail’s hard and dry surface conditions, while UV index levels are moderate at 4.8.
The John Holmes Trail Run has been a tradition in Brooksville for over three decades, attracting runners from across Florida and beyond with its well-known tech shirts, generous awards, and post-race feast. The race continues to support the local community by fostering volunteer involvement and celebrating endurance running as an integral part of South Florida’s athletic culture.
The John Holmes Trail Run features a challenging 50K course winding through central Florida's diverse landscape along Croom Hiking Trail. Participants can also choose from shorter distances, including a 16-mile run and a 9-mile option for those looking to experience the trail without the full commitment of the longer race. All races start and finish at Tucker Hill Fire Tower with aid stations strategically placed throughout.
Race morning temperatures will range between 18°C and 27°C in Brooksville, Florida. Humidity levels average around 76%, making it a warm but comfortable day for racing. Wind speeds are expected to be light, enhancing the overall race experience on central Florida’s scenic trails. The trail itself is described as having a hard surface with minimal risk of precipitation during the event.
The John Holmes Trail Run offers runners three distinct distances: the 50K, which covers over fifty kilometers through challenging terrain; the 16-mile run, also known as the 25.7K race; and the shorter but still demanding 9 mile course, or 14.5K in metric terms. Each distance is designed to suit different levels of experience while offering a unique challenge for all participants.

How to register: Visit https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=138466 for online registration. Fees are $85, $65 and $50 respectively for the 50K, 16 Miler and 9 Miler distances; spectator fees cost $8 each. Early bird pricing is available until September 2nd with standard rates applying thereafter up to race day. Bib pickup will be at Tucker Hill - Croom-Rital Rd from October 1st through October 3rd between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm for all distances except on race morning where bibs are available until 6:45 am.
Participants must show up to Tucker Hill in Brooksville by their respective start times – 7:00am for the 50K, followed at 8:00am by both the shorter races. The event is open only to those aged sixteen and older; runners under eighteen years of age need a parent or guardian’s permission slip signed on race day.
The John Holmes Trail Run in Brooksville, Florida offers an unparalleled experience for trail running enthusiasts across various distances over three days in early October 2026. Participants will traverse the historic Croom Hiking Trails and enjoy all that this long-standing event has to offer in terms of local culture and community spirit.