The Wawayanda Trail Fest 2026 has undergone significant changes for the upcoming event on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Due to Wawayanda State Park choosing not to host events in 2026, the race has been relocated to Harriman State Park at the Lake Welch Parking Area. Consequently, the 100K distance has been canceled for this year. The new courses at Harriman offer a more technical terrain with significantly more elevation gain than the original Wawayanda routes. Organized by Redpoint Productions, the event remains a popular Northeast trail challenge featuring 50-mile, 50k, and Half Marathon distances.
| Race Distance | Start Time | Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Mile | 05:00 AM | ~7,800 ft |
| 50k | 06:30 AM | ~4,900 ft |
| Half Marathon | 09:00 AM | ~1,700 ft |
Hewitt is an unincorporated community located within West Milford Township in Passaic County, New Jersey. West Milford has a population of approximately 24,800 residents. The demographic profile of the township is approximately 88.4% White, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 1.3% Asian, and 1.1% Black or African American. The median annual household income for the area is roughly $105,000. Geographically, Harriman State Park is the second-largest state park in New York, adjacent to the New Jersey border, featuring over 200 miles of hiking trails and 31 lakes. The terrain is notorious for its "East Coast technicality," consisting of jagged rocks, dense root systems, and steep, punchy climbs. The climate in late April typically sees average lows of 6°C (43°F) and highs of 17°C (63°F), though the heavily forested valleys can remain damp and cool throughout the day.
The 2026 event includes a "Finish Hard" cutoff at 7:00 PM for all distances. Aid stations are fully stocked with runner favorites, including Skratch hydration, pierogi, bacon, and various vegan/gluten-free options. Pacers are permitted for the 50-mile (starting at mile 38) and the 50k (starting at mile 21). Registration officially closes on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Awards are presented to the top three finishers in the Male, Female, and Non-Binary categories for each distance. Participants are advised to enter the park via the West entrance off Route 106 to access the Lake Welch Parking Lot 1 start area.
Apr 25, 2026
Distance — 100K
Type — Running
05:00
$205.00
Apr 25, 2026
Distance — 80.5K
Type — Running
06:00
$175.00
Apr 25, 2026
Distance — 50K
Type — Running
07:00
$135.00
Apr 25, 2026
Distance — 21.1K
Type — Running
09:00
$95.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Hewitt.
Learn more about the host city, Hewitt.
Hewitt is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within West Milford Township in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 07421. It is named for Abram Hewitt. As of the 2020 census, Hewitt had a population of 1,912.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
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