MAD FOX TRAIL FEST
AT WATERVILLE VALLEY RESORT
From the creators of Gunstock Trailfest, join us at Mad Fox Trailfest Half Marathon, 10K, 6.03K, Canicross 6.03K, Kids 1-Mile Race and Vertical Challenge on June 22 and 23, 2024 in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. Race dates and locations are listed below.
Mad Fox Trailfest encompasses a variety of distances and challenges, catering to runners of all skill levels. Over two days, runners can register for a day of traditional running, vertical challenges or both while exploring some fun and unique distances like the 6.03K, Canicross 6.03K, and Kids 1-Mile Race.
Blaze a trail at the inaugural Mad Fox Trailfest when you bundle your run and vertical challenge registration! Don’t wait—Register to run (or climb) today!
DAY 1, SATURDAY
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Town Square at Waterville Valley
All the events hosted on Saturday, June 22 will take place at the Town Square in the heart of the little town of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
The Town Square includes a beautiful public plaza surrounded by buildings that are home to various businesses including bike/ski rental shops, retail stores, restaurants, an ice arena, a bakery, and a country store.
The Town Square is adjacent to Corcoran Pond with a beach, boat rentals, a gazebo, and a pedestrian bridge overlooking a small waterfall that spills into Snow’s Brook and empties into the Mad River.
The start and finish chutes and the post-race festival area are located in the Town Square Disc Golf Course, a large flat grassy area adjacent to the Town Square and the trail heads for the mountain biking and Nordic ski trail system.
Nestled in the bowl of the valley, the Town Square is surrounded by thousands of acres of White Mountain National Forest land and six of New Hampshire’s famed 4,000-footer mountains.
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LOCATION:
Town Square, 33 Village Rd, Waterville Valley, NH 03215
EVENT TIMES:
Trail Races:
* 9:30 AM – 6.03K Canicross Race
* 10:00 AM – Half Marathon
* 10:30 AM – 10K Race
* 11:00 AM – 6.03K Race
* 11:30 AM – Kids 1 Mile Race here
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RATING: Easy
VERTICAL GAIN: 45 ft
Trail Conditions: 12’ wide hard packed dirt and gravel, grass, level, no roots or rocks, very shaded
THE COURSE:
The Kids 1-Mile race course consists of an easy counterclockwise loop around the Pond Loop Trail. From the start area at Corcoran Pond, the kids will run along the side of the Ice Arena building, through the public plaza, past the gazebo, across the pedestrian bridge, past the Town Beach and onto the trail head.
The Pond Loop trail is 12’ wide with no roots or rocks. The trail passes underneath the Valley Road twice through two tunnels. The majority of the course is surrounded by trees that provide plenty of shade.Description text goes here
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RATING: Easy
VERTICAL GAIN: 229 ft
Trail Conditions: 12’ wide hard packed dirt and gravel, grass, level, some roots and rocks, very shaded
The Course
While there’s plenty of 5K races, there’s only one 6.03K race and that couldn’t be anywhere but in the state of New Hampshire.
From the start area at Corcoran Pond the first 0.9 miles follows along mostly paved roads and sidewalks past the Waterville Valley Golf Course and Tennis Center to the head of the Connector Trail. The next 0.5 mile section cuts through the woods and along the edge of the Mad River on the dreamiest trail in the whole valley.
Runners get back on pavement for another 0.3 mile stretch before they get on the trailhead of the Swans Way Trail for the next 1.1 miles. After turning onto the Inner Mad River trail for 0.5 miles, runners cross over a 150 ft long bridge and get an amazing view of the Mad River.
The final 0.4 mile stretch on the Village Trail runs along Snows Brook, through a tunnel, past a beautiful waterfall, across the pedestrian bridge, and then cuts back into the Town Square Plaza and Corcoran Pond to the finish.
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RATING: Easy
VERTICAL GAIN: 383 ft
Trail Conditions: 12’ wide hard packed dirt and gravel, grass, level, some roots and rocks, very shaded
THE COURSE:
From the start area at Corcoran Pond, the first 0.9 miles follow along mostly paved roads and sidewalks past the Waterville Valley Golf Course and Tennis Center towards the head of the Connector Trail.
The next 0.5 mile section that cuts through the woods and along the edge of the Mad River is the dreamiest trail in the whole valley. The course then turns onto Greeley Path (0.5 miles) to a 3-way intersection. Participants then run up the Livermore Road (closed to motorized vehicles) to a turnaround point and back down the road to the 3-way intersection (0.6 miles).
The course turns onto Deep Woods trail (0.5 miles), past the White Mountain National Forest Livermore Trailhead parking area, across the paved Tripoli Road and onto the trailhead of the Swans Way Trail for the next 1.1 miles.
After turning onto the Inner Mad River trail for 0.5 miles, runners cross over a 150 ft long bridge and get an amazing view of the Mad River. The next 0.4 mile stretch on the Village Trail runs along Snows Brook, through a tunnel, and past a beautiful waterfall.
With the finish line in sight across Corcoran Pond, the course turns back into the woods, and runners must complete a 1.2 mile loop along Pond Road, Figure-3, Snows Brook trails leading back to the finish.Item description
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RATING: Moderate
VERTICAL GAIN: 958 ft
Trail Conditions: 12’ wide hard packed dirt and gravel, grass, level, roots and rocks, very shaded
THE COURSE:
From the start area at Corcoran Pond, the first mile follows along mostly paved roads and sidewalks past the Waterville Valley Golf Course and Tennis Center and the Snows Mountain Chairlift.
Participants then make a 2.0 mile (300 vertical feet) climb up the Lower Snows Mountain Trail to the intersection with the Livermore Road (closed to motorized vehicles).
From the highest point on the course, participants enjoy a 1.8-mile descent on the dreamy Livermore Road. The course then turns onto Greeley Path (0.5 miles), Connector Trail, and past the White Mountain National Forest Livermore Trailhead parking area.
Participants then run along the paved Tripoli Road (0.7 miles) to the trailhead of the Moose Run Trail. This 3.1-mile section of the course is a very flat out-and-back lollipop loop that goes along the Moose Run Trail and back to the trailhead at Tripoli Road. Participants return to Tripoli Road (0.7 miles) towards the Swans Way trailhead for the next 1.1 miles.
After turning onto the Inner Mad River trail for 0.5 miles, runners cross over a 150 ft long bridge and get an amazing view of the Mad River. The next 0.4 mile stretch on the Village Trail runs along Snows Brook, through a tunnel, and past a beautiful waterfall.
With the finish line in sight across Corcoran Pond, the course turns back into the woods, and runners must complete a 1.2 mile loop along Pond Road, Figure-3, Snows Brook trails leading back to the finish.
DAY 2, SUNDAY
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THE MOUNTAIN AT WATERVILLE VALLEY RESORT
Vertical Challenge events will take place at Waterville Valley Resort on Sunday, June 23.
Waterville Valley Resort is a family-owned resort owned by New Hampshire Govenor Chris Sununu and family. Approximately 95% of the alpine and Nordic trails at the resort are located on National Forest Service land, allowing New Hampshire nature enthusiasts to experience the beauty of undisturbed scenic views for miles.
The mountain at Waterville Valley features alpine ski trails, a detachable highspeed 6-pack chairlift, various base lodge buildings, and a unique mountain top lodge called the Schwendi Hutte.
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LOCATION:
Waterville Valley Resort
1 Ski Area Road, Waterville Valley, NH 03215
EVENT TIMES:
Vertical Challenges:
* 9:00 AM – Mount Monadnock 3,000 ft race (2 ascents)
* 8:00 AM – Mount Washington 6,000 ft race (4 ascents)
* 7:00 AM – Mount Olympus 9,000 ft race (6 ascents)
* 6:00 AM – Mount Fuji 12,000 ft race (8 ascents)
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RATING: Challenging to Extremely Difficult
VERTICAL GAIN: 3,000 to 12,000 ft
TRAIL CONDITIONS: 12’ wide hard packed dirt and gravel, level, loose rocks, little to no shade
THE COURSE:
The Mad Fox Vertical Challenge is a series of four different races measured in vertical feet instead of horizontal distance. Participants may choose to complete the 3,000’, 6,000’, 9,000’, or 12,000’ challenge.
The course is a grueling climb from the base of the Tecumseh Express Chairlift up a gravel access road to the peak of the chairlift. With an average grade of 18% and a 1,578 foot vertical climb, the gravel access road between the base and the peak of the chairlift is approximately 1.82 miles long.
Upon ascending the road, participants will then ride the chairlift back down to the base and repeat the process until they’ve completed the challenge: 3,000’ race (2 ascents), 6,000’ race (4 ascents), 9,000’ race (6 ascents), 12,000’ race (8 ascents).
The time taken during the chairlift ride down the mountain will not be counted. The start of each race will begin at the base of the chairlift and will finish in an area near the peak. The 12’ wide access road is composed of dirt and gravel and is mostly level with no sharp twists or turns. The road follows alongside wide-open alpine ski trails covered in tall grasses and wildflowers with little shade provided by the woods.
Participants will be treated to amazing views of the Waterville Valley below and surrounded by thousands of acres of White Mountain National Forest land and six of New Hampshire’s famed 4,000-footer mountains.oes here
After Party
Saturday, June 22nd
After crushing it on the race course, show off your finisher’s medal at the post-race party featuring 1 complimentary craft beer (21+), snacks like granola bars and bananas, and live music!
Sunday, June 23rd
After crossing the finish line, climbers will get a “pinnacle” experience at the post-race party at The Schwendi Hutte!
At an elevation of 3,500 feet, sweeping views of Waterville Valley and thousands of acres of scenic White Mountain National Forest land will surround you as you refuel with delicious BBQ, granola bars, bananas, and complimentary craft beer (21+) to the sounds of live music.