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Jay Peak Trail Running Festival
Race Details:
- Location: Jay, Vermont, USA
- Race Date: 09/06/2026
- Race Distances: Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: No
UTMB Index: No
Jay Peak Trail Running Festival Description
The Jay Peak Trail Running Festival is a Labor Day weekend trail festival in Jay, Vermont, built around seven races over two days. The marquee 53.1K Ultra climbs Jay Peak three times for over 9,000 feet of gain, while the 22 Miler covers two laps and the 11 Miler one, alongside three 5Ks and a kids’ trail race. Based at Jay Peak Resort’s Stateside Lodge, the Ultra has earned a reputation as one of the hardest 50Ks in the East, anchoring a weekend built for the whole family.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Jay Peak Trail Running Festival Additional Details:
Three laps up and down Jay Peak add up to one of the toughest days on the New England ultra calendar, with aid stations spaced roughly every three miles offering a welcome break between climbs. The course mixes ski trails, singletrack, and rocky sections, and each lap delivers sweeping views over the Green Mountains before dropping back to Stateside Lodge. The festival atmosphere softens the difficulty: runners can add a hotel discount, an indoor water park, and a full weekend of racing for the whole family, from a kids’ trail race to three separate 5Ks. Between laps and after finishing, runners gather at the lodge to swap stories, and many treat the Ultra as an annual rite of passage. It’s a small, close-knit event that punches well above its size for sheer difficulty.
Course Information
Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: Unknown
# of Finishers
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 9,000 ft
Elevation Loss: 9,000 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 48°F
- High: 68°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Ultramarathon Training Plans
Explore structured plans across every ultra distance, from your first 50K to 100 miles and beyond.
Things to Do in Jay, Vermont, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Sports & Entertainment
Jay Peak Water Park
Cool off at the Jay Peak Resort water park, with indoor and outdoor slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool — a relaxed, low-impact way to celebrate the finish line after race day.
Outdoors & Trails
Jay Peak Hiking Trails
Hike beginner-friendly trails around Jay Peak Resort, with access to Vermont’s famous Long Trail — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Jay Peak Golf Course
Take in stunning mountain views along the Jay Peak Golf Course, as scenic as it is challenging — a relaxed, low-impact way to spend a rest day.
Landmark
Jay Peak Summit
Ride to the summit of Jay Peak, famous for the ‘Jay Cloud’ weather pattern that brings the most reliable snowfall in the Northeast — a relaxed, low-impact way to take in the views.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Jay Peak Trail Running Festival
Compare nearby hotels and book your Jay Peak Trail Running Festival race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
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